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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has moved to reassure Notts County fans that his takeover of the club is still on the cards.
The Nottinghamshire businessman sent alarm bells ringing on Monday evening when he removed the phrase 'Notts County chairman' from his Twitter profile's biography.
On Tuesday morning, Hardy wrote on Twitter: "Really sorry for the radio silence. Still trying desperately to structure long term financial security for this great football club."
Around the same time, BBC Nottingham Sport reported that the "delay of Notts County takeover is due to a £1m loan the club arranged some while ago with trustees of Haydn Green estate.
"The issue regards repayment of the loan. Lawyers for Mr Hardy & Mr Trew spent yesterday trying to find solution, but without success."
When advised on Twitter to prioritise club communications over the social media platform, Hardy replied: " In hindsight, you're prob right, I'll refrain in future. We never envisaged this snag, hindsight etc."
In reply to a fan who said Hardy was the only option for the Magpies, he said: "Believe me, I have only one item on my To Do List today!"
The takeover of Notts was meant to take place on Monday as Hardy earmarked the Nottinghamshire derby against Mansfield Town as the first game of his tenure.
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Joe Jones
Notts County caretaker boss Alan Smith has slammed individual errors for costing his side dear against Morecambe on Saturday.
The Magpies fell to their 10th consecutive defeat in League Two as the Shrimpers claimed an easy 4-1 victory at the Globe Arena.
As has often been the case, Notts conceded early, and by the half-time point they were three goals down.
The player-coach did find some solace in the impending arrival of new owner Alan Hardy, who comes in at the start of next week.
"I told the players in the dressing the performance in the second half is what we need to be putting in for 90 minutes week in, week out," Smith told the Nottingham Post.
"Individual errors have cost us goals again. We were a bit naive at times in terms of not using the width as much as we should do when they went down to 10 men.
"I'd like to thank the fans who travelled in their numbers again. I'm gutted that we did not give them the result they wanted.
"It is going to be a big week for this football club. It's a fresh start for everyone with the new owner coming in on Monday and hopefully the club can start moving forwards and upwards."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have fallen to a tenth League Two defeat in a row today at Morecambe, as the Globe Arena hosts ran out 4-1 winners against the abject Magpies.
Caretaker manager Alan Smith saw his boys fall a goal down after just two minutes when Lee Molyneux received the ball on the right and was given all the space in the world, cutting inside before firing a low left-footed effort that beat Scott Loach low to his right.
Paul Mullin then added a second on 27 minutes when he was in the right place at the right time to slot home the loose ball after Loach could only parry a Kevin Ellison cross back into the 22-year-old striker's path.
Four minutes later the Shrimpers were three goals to the good after they were awarded a penalty for a Richard Duffy foul on Mullin, and Michael Rose stepped up to send the Magpies custodian the wrong way from the spot.
The one sore point for Morecambe was that they ended the first half with ten men after Andy Fleming received a straight-red card for a tackle on Curtis Thompson late on.
Notts did pull a goal back with 10 minutes to go when Jon Stead flicked the ball round the corner cleverly for Jonathan Forte, who slotted it into the far corner.
However, Morecambe restored their three-goal lead late on when Kevin Ellison slotted home the rebound after substitute Luke Jordan hit the woodwork following a fine run and shot.
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Joe Jones
Notts County and Morecambe have met nine times in their history, with the first ever clash taking place less than 10 years ago, in September 2007.
On that day, it ended as a 1-1 draw, Michael Twiss putting the visitors ahead at Meadow Lane in the first half, before Richard Butcher equalised in the 87th minute.
The Shrimpers have a slight advantage, with four wins over Notts, three draws and two defeats.
Our last meeting, in October 2016, saw Morecambe claim a 2-1 win, as Tom Barkhuizen's brace put them two goals to the good at the Lane, before Vadaine Oliver grabbed a consolation in the 90th minute.
The fixture on 19 September 2009 was former Arsenal and England legend Sol Campbell's only game in a Magpies shirt, while the rematch later in the season, on 17 April 2010, is when Notts mathematically secured promotion to League One.
Football in the town dates back to the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until 7 May 1920 that Morecambe FC was formed. The club then took its place in the Lancashire Combination League for the 1920–21 season.
The fourteen years from 1960 could be said to be Morecambe's golden era. This included an FA Cup third round appearance in 1961–62, a 1–0 defeat to Weymouth; a Lancashire Senior Cup Final victory in 1968, a 2–1 win over Burnley; and an FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1974, a 2–1 win over Dartford in the final.
Morecambe, a non-league side for most of their history, were promoted to the Football League for the first time in 2007 after winning the Conference Playoff Final, beating Exeter City 2–1 at Wembley in front of over 40,000 fans.
Morecambe was a thriving seaside resort in the mid-20th century. While the resort of Blackpool attracted holiday-makers predominantly from the Lancashire mill towns, Morecambe had more visitors from Yorkshire, due to its railway connection, and Scotland.
Between 1956 and 1989 Morecambe was the home of the Miss Great Britain beauty contest.
Team news
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley will begin a two-match touchline ban when his side host Notts on Saturday in League Two.
The Football Association said Bentley would serve the suspension with immediate effect after being charged over an incident in the 2-1 loss to Cheltenham on December 17, when he was sent to the stands for his reaction to a red card for Alex Kenyon.
Kenyon is now available to make his comeback having completed the suspension that resulted from that red card.
Cole Stockton, Ntumba Massanka, Alex Whitmore and James Jennings have all returned to their parent clubs with their loans at Morecambe having expired, while Aaron McGowan looks set to miss out after coming off injured in Monday's 0-0 draw with Crewe.
Alan Smith is set to take charge of his first game as Notts County's interim player-manager at Globe Arena.
John Sheridan was sacked following Monday's 4-0 defeat by Cambridge United, their ninth league loss in a row.
Winger Alex Rodman was released on Thursday and joined Shrewsbury Town, while defender Matt Tootle will hope to feature after missing the last two games with a knock.
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Joe Jones
Alan Smith has stressed that Notts County must go back to basics to restore their belief and confidence, but believes that the players are good enough to get results.
The former Leeds United and Manchester United forward has been given the responsibility of managing the struggling Magpies on an interim basis following John Sheridan's dismissal.
"What we have tried to emphasise is that it's about getting that belief and confidence back into the players," Smith told the Nottingham Post.
"In the last 18 months, performances and results haven't been good enough. When you are not getting results, you struggle for confidence and that applies to any sport.
"I am not going to play on Saturday. I am going to try to help the lads as much as possible and from now until Saturday is all about getting a result.
"There is no reason why we can't. Although every game in this league is difficult, I keep emphasising to the group that they don't become bad players overnight.
"There are players in the dressing room who have played Championship or League One football for most of their career.
"If I didn't think the team could win, I wouldn't be sat here trying to motivate them. Hand on heart, I do think we have good enough players to get results.
"One of the first things I said to the players was that in this short period of time could they take on board what I want them to do, which is to go back to basics.
"We have to try everything we can to get a result. It's pretty straight forward and we can't reinvent the way we want to play because there just hasn't been the time.
"I think collectively we are underachieving, but there is no quick fix for that. It doesn't happen overnight.
"We are going to Morecambe with commitment and passion, everything you would expect from a team."
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Joe Jones
Notts County assistant manager Mark Crossley has revealed that the club's players argued with each other after their 4-0 defeat to Cambridge United.
The former goalkeeper hopes that the squad holding each other to account will spark a reaction and mark a turning point in the club's fortunes.
"They fell out between themselves after the game and that's the first time I've seen that for a while," Crossley told the Nottingham Post.
"We wanted that six weeks ago. Unfortunately it's gone from the game a bit where players fall out in dressing rooms.
"By doing that you tend to get a reaction and better performances.
"I hope that's the spark that can take us into Morecambe in that they realise the trouble we are in and they can hopefully get us out of it."
Notts will take on the Shrimps away at the Globe Arena this weekend, with Alan Smith taking the reins as caretaker manager for the first time after John Sheridan was sacked.
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Joe Jones
Notts County player-coach Alan Smith has been placed in temporary charge of the first team while the club look for a new permanent manager.
The former Leeds United and Manchester United man replaces John Sheridan, who was sacked on Monday night after the Magpies were beaten 4-0 by Cambridge United, their ninth successive loss.
Smith, a Notts player since the summer of 2014, will be assisted by Mark Crossley, who will continue in his current role as assistant manager.
The 36-year-old told the official club site: “The most important thing right now is for everyone - players, staff and fans - to stick together.
“There’s no getting away from it, it’s been a very, very disappointing season so far. But there are lots of points still to play for and we are determined and confident of putting things right.
“The fans are doing their bit. Our following at Cambridge, given our recent form, was phenomenal. As players and staff we have to repay that loyalty.
“We have some huge games coming up, starting at Morecambe on Saturday and, until a new manager arrives, I will be working closely with Mark and the rest of the staff to hopefully lead an upturn in our fortunes.”
Notts County are set to be taken over by local businessman Alan Hardy after current owner Ray Trew agreed to sell the club in December.
It has been reported that the former will not appoint Smith on a permanent basis, instead wanting a manager with proven lower-league experience.
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has been sacked from his position as manager of Notts County, the club have confirmed.
The 52-year-old took over the reins at Meadow Lane in May last year following the departure of Mark Cooper, signing a three-year deal.
Notts began brightly under his tenure and, by the end of October, were sixth in League Two after 15 games played.
However, things took a turn for the worse going into November as the club had to come from behind to scrape a 2-2 draw against non-league Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.
This preceded a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Blackpool and, from then on, Notts plunged down the table as they racked up nine consecutive defeats in the league, as well as missing out on a FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea.
In addition, Sheridan was given a five-match touchline ban in December after being sent to the stands during their defeat by Wycombe Wanderers.
Notts released a statement saying: "Notts County FC can confirm that John Sheridan is to leave his position as manager with immediate effect. The club will be making no further statement at this time."
Sheridan, who won just six of his 24 league games, leaves with Notts 22nd in the table on 22 points, one above the bottom two.
The Magpies, who are in danger of dropping into non-league football for the first time in their history, are now looking for their 11th full-time manager since Steve Cotterill left after leading them them to the League Two title in May 2010.
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Joe Jones
It really is going from bad to worse at Notts County, as the Magpies fell to a record-equalling ninth consecutive league defeat on Monday against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
It wasn't a case of a near-miss either - it was a shambolic performance which saw ex-Notts boss Shaun Derry's charges put four goals past his old side for a 4-0 final result.
The opening goal, on 19 minutes, set the tone perfectly for what was to come as Adam Collin fired a clearance into Luke Berry and the ball rebounded into the empty net.
It was very similar to a similar error made by Roy Carroll last season, and the travelling Notts fans, already in low spirits as it was, could not have been faulted for expecting the worst on the day.
Indeed, Uche Ikpeazu made it 2-0 just before the hour, slotting the ball under Collin following ex-Magpie Blair Adams' surging run out of defence (Derry, Adams... there really seems to be a running theme here).
And four minutes later, on 61, it was 3-0 as Berry grabbed his second when he reacted quickest to force the ball in from close range after seeing his initial strike saved by Collin.
On 69 minutes Piero Mingoia added a fourth, benefiting from another defensive error as Harrison Dunk robbed Louis Laing and allowed Mingoia to finish easily beyond Collin.
Could this be the season where Notts finally exit the Football League, after dodging the bullet on numerous occasions since the turn of the century?
Unless we get immediate surgery - and at least, with Alan Hardy coming in, there may be a glimpse of salvation - then the deteriorating entity that is Notts will become a non-league club.
And in case you're wondering about the title - well, it's pretty much copy-and-paste at the moment, isn't it?
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Joe Jones
Notts and Cambridge United have met 26 times in their history, with the first meeting coming on Boxing Day 1970.
The result on that day? A resounding 4-1 win to the Magpies at Meadow Lane.
Notts hold the advantage in the head to head, with 11 wins, 7 draws and 8 defeats against the U’s.
Recent form is not good, however - we've lost our last three meetings against Cambridge.
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United before taking the name Cambridge United in 1951.
It first competed in the Football League in 1970 and stayed there until relegation in 2005, nine seasons in the Conference following until climbing back out of non-league.
Cambridge have had two spells in the league's second tier, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice and Football League Cup once during the early 1990s, the club's most successful era to date.
United's highest ever finishing place in the Football League is fifth in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, competing in a season-ending four team playoff for the final promotion slot to the Premier League's inaugural season.
The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, approximately 1.86 miles east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 8,127, made up of terracing and seated areas.
During their days in Division Two, with John Beck at the helm in the 1980's, the club earned a reputation for bizarre training methods and "dirty tricks" to make their opponents feel ill at ease.
These included freezing cold showers for his own players, dirty changing rooms and deflated kick-about balls for the opposition and long grass in the corners of the pitch to slow the long balls into those areas, allowing the U’s forwards to reach them.
Beck carried on his dirty tricks even after leaving to take charge of Preston North End – taking nine of the Cambridge United players with him.
He was not the only famous manager at the club, with Ron Atkinson taking the club from Fourth to Second division and Ex-England and Derby County centre-half Roy McFarland also sitting in the hot seat.
Before their entry into the League, a local animal sanctuary had an escapee and it was found grazing on the pitch at the Abbey Stadium. This lead to the moose connection with the club, and in the club shop you can buy a range of moose souvenirs to show your allegiance to the U’s.
Famous alumni include Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, while famous fans include football commentator Gary Newbon and Tom Findlay of Groove Armada.
And connecting the two clubs – none other than former Notts manager Shaun Derry, now a the helm of the U’s.
Team news
Cambridge will check on George Maris ahead of the visit of Notts County after the midfielder missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient with a knock.
Barry Corr and Medy Elito are still out with knee injuries but should be back next month.
Joe Pigott is fit after injury and illness having returned as a late substitute at Brisbane Road.
Notts defender Matt Tootle is hoping to shake off a knock in time to feature after missing Saturday's home defeat to Carlisle United.
Manager John Sheridan, who will serve the fourth game of his five-match touchline ban, is likely to make changes.
Haydn Hollis, Jordan Richards and Adam Campbell are all pushing for recalls after dropping to the bench against Carlisle.
The Magpies have lost their last eight league games and are one point above the relegation zone.
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has confirmed that he will be ordering a review of ticket prices at Notts County.
The Nottinghamshire businessman, who will take full control at Meadow Lane from Ray Trew on January 9, has also decided to cap ticket prices for the first game of his tenure, against Mansfield Town.
"It is vitally important that between now and the end of the season every man, woman and child firmly get behind the club," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
"It is my intention to make following Notts County as affordable as possible for our next generation of supporters."
Hardy, who agreed a deal to buy the club from Trew just before Christmas, is hoping for a crowd of 10,000 for the derby clash.
He wrote on Twitter: "Ticket prices for Mansfield game will be £20 MAXIMUM anywhere in the ground for super Magpie supporters! All kids under 12 will be FREE!!!"
Hardy has been alarmed by falling home crowds at Meadow Lane, with attendances in the mid-3,000s over the last few months for the most part.
Just 2,736 fans saw the game against Cambridge United on home soil at the end of November.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have suffered an eighth straight defeat in League Two to cap off a dreadful 2016 as Carlisle United left Meadow Lane with all three points in a 3-2 win on New Year's Eve.
John Sheridan's charges continue to be weak at the back and this was the case once again as Charlie Wyke headed in from close range after Notts failed to deal with a Nicky Adams corner in the 10th minute.
Michael Raynes went close to adding a second, but Notts levelled on the half-hour mark when Jon Stead thumped a header into the Cumbrians' net from Michael O'Connor's free-kick.
Much to the shock and delight of the Black and White faithful, the Magpies actually took the lead when Jonathan Forte dispossessed a hesitant Shaun Brisley before firing beyond Mark Gillespie via the inside of the post six minutes before the break.
However, this was to last as Carlisle ended the first half level, Adams being given too much space on the left to send a cross into the box and an unchallenged Jabo Ibehre converting with a header.
Both sides went in search of a decisive third goal after the restart and it was Carlisle who almost made the breakthrough when Ibehre forced a stunning save from Scott Loach.
Notts had their moments too and Rob Milsom should have done better when he was unmarked at the back post, but he volleyed into the ground and into the arms of Gillespie.
Eventually that old chestnut of poor Notts defending came up once again when Jason Kennedy was able to flick home from Tom Miller's long throw to condemn Notts to yet another loss, leaving them 22nd in the League Two table and just one point above the drop zone.
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Joe Jones
Carlisle United and Notts County have met on 30 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians.
Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 11, with just 3 draws.
Our last two meetings, which took place last season, ended in a 3-0 defeat and a 5-0 defeat for Notts.
Carlisle United is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).
The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though.
Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.
Despite their small stature, the club has experience moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two Fourth Division championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011.
Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.
Team news
Notts County will be boosted by the return of captain Michael O'Connor when they host Carlisle United on New Year's Eve.
The midfielder is available for selection after completing a three-game suspension following his sending off against Wycombe Wanderers on December 10.
Defender Matt Tootle should be fit to play after picking up a knock which forced him to be substituted against Doncaster on Boxing Day.
Wes Atkinson is also eligible to take part after being recalled from his loan at Gateshead.
Notts manager John Sheridan will once again be in the stands as he serves the third match of a five-game touchline ban.
Carlisle defender Danny Grainger is out with a knee injury which means Macaulay Gillesphey will continue to deputise.
Manager Keith Curle is keen to extend the on-loan Newcastle left-back's stay beyond the two matches he has remaining.
Midfielder Mike Jones is missing with an ankle problem.
Fellow midfielder Russell Penn returned to the club after his loan spell at Gateshead expired on Boxing Day and could be in contention for a squad place.
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has urged any player unhappy at Notts County to "be honest" with him and ask to leave the club.
The Magpies boss admits that he is looking to bring in new blood at Meadow Lane, but insists that he cannot do so unless he moves players on.
"Something is not right and something needs to change," Sheridan, whose side is preparing to face Carlisle United at home on New Year's Eve, told the Nottingham Post.
"We just need a spark. One or two players coming in might be what we need.
"But if people aren't happy then move on. I just want them to be honest with me and I will try to be as helpful as I can and try to move them on.
"Moving players out will help me bring them in."
Notts are still under a transfer embargo enforced by a £350,000 tax debt to HMRC which needs to be cleared in order for Sheridan to make signings.
Sheridan continued: "There are still plenty of games left to play but there's a threat of being in the relegation mix, and a bit of fear we could get caught up in it.
"I'll try to stay positive while I am here and while I am manager, but when you look at the table, it's not good reading.
"I've got to try to freshen things up and I've got to try to get one or two results in from somewhere.
"I am hoping to be active in the window next month but we still have the embargo and I've still got to speak to the new owner (Alan Hardy).
"So I've just got to concentrate on the next game. I am wary that as manager I am not winning games. Seven defeats on the spin is not something I want, the people at the club or the supporters.
"I know it's not good enough. I am not stupid. I need to do a lot better and so do the group."
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Joe Jones
New Notts County owner Alan Hardy has revealed that he is looking to complete his takeover of the Magpies in just over a week.
The deal, which sees the club change hands from Ray Trew to Hardy, is expected to reach its completion on January 9.
The Nottingham Post revealed that there had been a delay in the formalities due to the complexity and timing of the negotiations over the festive period.
Hardy confirmed the latest news on his takeover on Twitter, writing: "Contracts hopefully exchanged tomorrow and formally completed on Mon 9th Jan. Our 1st game will be Mansfield at home!! Hoping for 10,000!"
Trew put the club up for sale back in February and it was confirmed before Christmas that "a deal with Mr Hardy was the best option for all parties and will now work towards finalising the agreement and completing the transfer of ownership in due course."
Notts County are currently 21st in the League Two table.
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