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Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has earmarked Jon Stead as a "big player" for him next season as the Magpies look to challenge for promotion.
The 33-year-old striker finished top scorer for Notts last term with 14 goals and won the player of the season award, having only signed for the club in summer 2015.
Sheridan believes that Stead, who was linked with a switch to Scotland but appears set to remain at Meadow Lane, can be an influential figure in 2016-17.
"Jon has played at a high level and has goals in him," Sheridan is quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post.
"He will be a very important player for me. He has the cuteness and the cleverness and I see him in the same light as Jack Lester, who I had at Chesterfield.
"He never played away from home, but he was my best player and my captain. He scored 18 goals that season.
"Jon is different to Jonathan Forte, he's different to Izale McLeod and he's different to little Adam Campbell. I have to use Jon in the right way, but I expect him to be a big player for me."
How crucial will Jon Stead be to Notts County's season? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Adam Campbell has claimed that Notts County's new signings will add leadership to the dressing room and believes that they've already made an impact.
New Magpies manager John Sheridan has signed Adam Collin, Matt Tootle, Richard Duffy, Carl Dickinson, Michael O'Connor, Jonathan Forte and Alex Rodman so far this summer.
Campbell told the Nottingham Post: "When Dicko (Dickinson) came in you could see straight away he is going to have a very positive impact on everyone.
"That's not just on the pitch, but off it too. You can see he is going to be a good influence, like the rest of the players we have brought in.
"You've got Duffy, O'Connor, Tootle, Forte and Rodman, who did really well with Newport last season.
"There's Adam Collin, the goalkeeper who has come in, and that's going to be a good battle for the number one spot with Scott Loach.
"Loachie did really well last year. He managed to get his place but now he has to do it all again.
"We've a good squad, there's a lot of experience and big voices, and everybody is raring to go.
"The manager wants two players for every position and the young lads are stepping up. He has added competition for places. That can only be a positive."
How will the new players fit in at Notts County? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County assistant manager Mark Crossley has promised to keep an eye out on striker Will Mellors-Blair after the trialist netted a hat-trick against Linby in the Magpies' first pre-season friendly.
The 23-year-old, who was born in Nottingham and has played college football in the United States on a scholarship, helped Notts to a 7-0 win on Saturday, with Adam Campbell, Jordan Richards, Jordan Snodin and Montel Gibson also on the scoresheet.
Crossley played down the former Walsall academy prospect's impact, telling reporters: "He was a recommendation and he is only here for a week. The manager has said we will have a look at him and he is another lad who has come in and impressed.
"We will see a bit more when we play stronger opposition and against more physical players."
Do you think Notts should sign Mellors-Blair or should he be given more time to prove himself? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County coach and defender Mike Edwards has called on the whole city of Nottingham to celebrate its footballing achievements at his testimonial against Nottingham Forest later this month.
The Magpies will take on Phillipe Montanier's Reds at Meadow Lane on Saturday 23rd July to commemorate the 36-year-old's ten years of service at the black and white side of the Trent.
"I want it to be a celebration and a buzz for Nottingham especially as it is the city of football," he told the Nottingham Post.
"I am hoping people catch the bug for it. It will be a great atmosphere, but even though it's a testimonial, both clubs will have their first teams out and will want to win it.
"My youngest son, Aidan, has his birthday on the same day and I had to ask him permission if I could play a game of football.
"He's well excited and I am too. Tickets are available now, but you can pay on the day.
"I just want to say a massive thank you to everybody involved. I'm sure it will be a fantastic occasion for the city."
Are you going to Mike Edwards's testimonial? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County signing Carl Dickinson says he is happy to play in whatever defensive position is asked of him by the manager.
The former Port Vale captain, one of seven new signings to have arrived at Meadow Lane this summer, has played at both centre-back and full-back throughout his career.
Dickinson believes his understanding is that left-back will be his position for the new season, but is happy to slot in at centre-back if John Sheridan asks this of him.
"Should the manager want me to play in the centre, then I've played that role so it's not a problem for me at all," Dickinson, who began his career at Stoke City, told reporters.
"But left-back has been the position I've played for pretty much all my career. Like I said though, it's down to the manager and what he wants and where he sees me playing."
What impact will Carl Dickinson have at Notts County? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
We are now in July, which means one thing – Notts County’s pre-season is underway.
The Magpies have arranged a number of friendly fixtures over the coming month to get back to full fitness and fine-tune every aspect of the team before the start of the season.
Here are the fixtures:
Saturday 9th July, 3pm: Rolls Royce Leisure (A)
Tuesday 12th July, 7:30pm: Carlton Town (A)
Saturday 16th July, 3pm: Ilkeston (A)
Tuesday 19th July 7:30pm: Alfreton Town (A)
Saturday 23rd July, 3pm Nottingham Forest (H)
Tuesday 26th July, 7:45pm: Walsall (H)
Sunday 31st July, 3pm: Blackburn Rovers (H)
To pre-purchase tickets for the home friendlies, visit https://www.medocmall.co.uk/cgi-bin/live/ticketing.pl?site=nottscounty_tickets
Are you planning to go to any of the pre-season friendlies? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County midfielder Michael O'Connor has claimed that continuity and stability are the most important things needed to get out of League Two.
The former Northern Ireland international, who signed for the club last week, has done it once before with Rotherham United, who went on to secure back to back promotions to the Championship.
O'Connor, who signed for Notts after rejecting a new deal with Port Vale, believes that the key to those successes was based on playing the same team week in, week out.
"The greatest attribute of all is having that stability and continuity in the team," he told the Nottingham Post.
"That is key and you want the same players on the pitch each and every week.
"That way you form an understanding, and you build relationships out there, which is so important.
"If you keep chopping and changing you get no continuity and it undoubtedly has an impact on results.
"That's something we've got to aim for next season because we want to get out of the division."
What do you think to Michael O'Connor's views? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County Ladies striker Jess Clarke has admitted that she and her teammates are desperate to get their hands on silverware this season.
Last year the Lady Pies collected runners-up medals from both the Women's FA Cup and the Continental Tyres Cup, losing to Chelsea at Wembley and later against Arsenal at Rotherham United's New York Stadium.
Notts get this season's Continental Tyres Cup campaign underway on Sunday with a first-round trip to Yeovil Town, and Clarke is hoping for a different outcome come the end of the season.
The 27-year-old told the Nottingham Post: "We always seem to do well in the cups and the Continental Tyres Cup is something we can fight for this year – that is a real motivation for us.
"The Continental Tyres Cup is always a great occasion and if we can get back to the final like we did last year that would be great. And to go one better and win it all this year – that would be fantastic.
"We played Yeovil last year in the competition and they are a pretty good side. Anything can happen in the cups so we will have to be prepared."
Can Notts County Ladies clinch silverware this season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County have confirmed the signing of Oldham Athletic striker Jonathan Forte on a two-year deal.
The 29-year-old has already enjoyed two loan spells at Meadow Lane in 2008 and 2012, and now will be at the club on a permanent basis.
Barbados international Forte, who played under John Sheridan at Boundary Park, told the Nottingham Post: "The gaffer is here who I had at Oldham and I really enjoyed being under him.
"I love Notts County and I think I have done well for them before and felt it was the right time to come back. I've got a lot more experience and I can bring a lot more to the table.
"I am a Sheffield lad so the location is good and I like Notts County. Hopefully I can do well for them."
Forte is the Magpies' seventh signing of the close season.
What do you think of Forte's signing? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County CEO Jason Turner has published an open letter on the Notts County website where he discusses the club's pre-season preparations and the changes put in place for the fans ahead of the new campaign.
On the squad
"Significant progress has been made in restructuring the squad in readiness for the new season.  We’ve already added six new recruits, with the seventh to be announced later today.  We may still see further new faces arriving over the next few weeks.
On the new players
Both John and I believe that every one of the players we’ve brought in so far strengthen the team and add depth to the squad.  We’ve been delighted to add players who have enjoyed success at this level, in both the play-offs and promotion winning sides, and also played at a higher level.  When considering player recruitment, it is imperative that we don’t just think of the coming season, but sign players that we believe are capable of performing at League One level in the future.
On departing players
"Kyle De Silva left last week by mutual consent and has since joined FC Eindhoven, whilst Mawouna Amevor also departed Meadow Lane yesterday.  Filip Valencic and Ronan Murray will not be returning to train with the club, and we wish all these players our very best wishes for their future careers.
On season ticket renewals
Talking of season tickets, I am delighted to report that sales have remained strong and on a par with last season, and would like to again thank those supporters who have already purchased for their continued support.  The deadline has now passed for existing season ticket holders to retain their seats and these have now been released for general sale.
On on-the-day ticket purchases
I will be introducing a number of positive and beneficial changes to our match ticketing structure for the new season. To bring us in line with most other clubs, it will now be cheaper to purchase your League match tickets prior to the day of the game. When we announce our prices next week, you will notice reductions across the board for all supporters who purchase in advance.
You can read the full interview on the Notts County website here.
What do you think to Jason Turner's words? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County are reportedly looking to seal a deal for Oldham Athletic striker Jonathan Forte.
The 29-year-old, who boasts three different loan spells at Meadow Lane, is believed to have been offered a contract by the Magpies,
According to the Nottingham Post, the former Scunthorpe United forward is yet to decide his next destination having been tabled a new deal by his current club.
Six players have joined Notts so far this summer - Michael O'Connor, Adam Collin, Matt Tootle, Alex Rodman, Richard Duffy and Carl Dickinson.
Meanwhile, Mawouna Amevor has left Notts by mutual consent having played just 12 games for the club after moving to England from Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles last summer.
Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts on this potential signing by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Chris
On the back of three very disappointing campaigns in a row as a Notts County fan, I find myself aligned with new hope and prospect for the new season – however, I must admit I didn’t believe I would be at this stage.
2015-16 was a year the majority of fans will no doubt want to forget and it’s all for the right (or should that be wrong) reasons.
The broken ambition and desire shown really tugged at the heartstrings of many genuine supporters I know, and it was difficult at times to consolidate the raw emotion that was often expressed to me – especially towards the back end of the season.
It really was a bleak disappointing term for the Black & White Army, which I really do not need to remind anyone of.
However, as I write this, I can quite easily cast aside that bitter disappointment in hopes that things may finally improve on and off the field.
Like most, supporting a team that has fought most of their years in the lower tiers of English football – you find yourself clinging to the hopes that the club may actually be a ‘sleeping giant’.
And I renewed my season ticket without a second thought, but I do not question those who have not done this because a football club must appreciate its fans and understand that the money paid in is that of hard work and passion.
It’s not a simple case of not supporting the club, but simply case of value.
I hope this season is different, yet as I wrote earlier, I am excited – I think John Sheridan has put a lot of time in accessing the players in which the club have clearly been tracking and it’s not like Notts to sign the majority of players who have been linked to them.
Michael O’Connor, the most recent signing, is an excellent addition to the squad, along with his former Port Vale teammates Carl Dickinson and Richard Duffy.
I am also happy with the arrival of Adam Collin, who I hope manages to establish himself as our number one goalkeeper.
I don’t think I’m alone in being optimistic, numerous fans have been expressing it – and I hope that the stability we so desperately crave is found this year.
Between now and the start of the new season, I want to see Sheridan establish his best XI – it’s important for me he avoids making the mistake that Ricardo Moniz probably regrets. No doubt we will attempt to mix things up, but our new manager must form the chemistry required.
The squad doesn’t look that far from being finished, unless we see some other players depart but I do still have hopes for a defensive midfielder and a striker – a goal scorer will not grow on trees but it’s vital we sign someone to go up top.
Jon Stead and Izale McLeod for me don’t seem to be the answer, at least together, and I do hope we are consistent with featuring two strikers.
Those who watch European football/the Premier League may disagree but I would say as a minimum in League Two you start all home games with two and only revert to the lone striker against the more difficult opposition.
What’s next for the Magpies? Nobody can be sure, however pre-season isn’t that far away now.
Football is almost upon us again and it’s time for us as fans to unite together and create an atmosphere we can be proud of – what other clubs/people think, it doesn’t matter, but for our own future we must try.
Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County signing Carl Dickinson says he opted to join the Magpies because of the prospect of a promotion challenge and also to be close to his family.
The 28-year-old defender is one of six new arrivals at Meadow Lane since John Sheridan's appointment as manager last month as they look to rebuild from their 17th-placed finish in League Two last season.
"We want be part of something special here, and that is gaining promotion," Dickinson told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"It's something exciting that we want to be a part of. I want to make sure I hit the ground running and make sure this is a big year, not just for me but for the squad as well.
"I want to make sure we're all in it together and striving for the same thing."
Discussing his refusal to extend his deal at Port Vale and to play in the Midlands, he added: "I've got a family and it's still quite local to me.
"You have to think about everything and sometimes it's not all about money.
"I probably could have gone somewhere else. But would that have made me happy, being away from my family?
"I had to weigh up a lot of things and I think this is the best option for me."
Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts on Carl Dickinson's signing by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County defender Richard Duffy says he aims to bring stability and experience to the squad and believes consistency is the best trait in the "grind" of League Two.
The former Wales international put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Meadow Lane after rejecting a contract offer at Port Vale.
Duffy also told the Nottingham Post that, if he and the rest of the team can keep up their game evenly across the 46 games of the season, the Magpies can enjoy success come the end of the campaign.
On what he will bring to the team
"I'd like to bring a bit of stability and experience (at centre-back). It's like anything in football, you've got to earn it, though. I've got to earn my place.
"Hopefully I bring some consistency to the position. It's the same as with the team, it's not flash, but if you're consistent, you're going to do alright.
On Notts County
"You look at Notts and they've got what it takes to kick on. They've got the ambition and they're already building well for the season ahead.
"Some of the signings the gaffer is making are really encouraging. Hopefully we get a good pre-season under our belts and then we can kick on.
"It won't be easy next season. League Two is a grind. It's Saturday, Tuesday most of the way through, so the main thing is to be consistent.
"If you can have 10 or 11 players every week on their game then you are going to win a lot more than you lose."
"Let's take it one step at a time. The aim is League One so let's see where we are next season.
"It's a tough league and we're going to have to work hard to get out of it."
What do you think of Richard Duffy's interview? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County have completed the signing of midfielder Michael O'Connor on a two-year contract.
Former Northern Ireland international O'Connor, who turned down the offer of a new deal at Port Vale, is the Magpies' sixth signing of the close season.
The 28-year-old started out at Crewe Alexandra before spells at Scunthorpe United, Rotherham United and Vale, who he joined in the summer of 2014.
O'Connor has made a total of 267 league appearances, scoring 51 goals, and has played 11 times for Northern Ireland.
"With the signings we have made already we are going to have a go at going up into League One next year," O'Connor said.
"I've signed a two-year deal and in that time I don't just want to get the club into League One, I want to get them into the Championship."
In addition to O'Connor, Notts have signed Adam Collin, Matt Tootle, Alex Rodman, Richard Duffy and Carl Dickinson since the end of the 2015-16 season.
Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts on the signing of Michael O'Connor by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

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Pride of Nottingham

Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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