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Joe Jones
Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst has been named as the favourite with Sky Bet to become the next permanent Notts County manager.
The 41-year-old, who will lead his side in their play-off second leg game at Braintree today, is 5/2 favourite to take the helm at Meadow Lane.
Former Mariner Wayne Burnett is also said to be in the running at 8/1, behind Richard Dryden, while the names of Ian Hendon, Mark Robins, Malky Mackay, Richard Money and even Sol Campbell - a novelty bet at 80/1 - have been bandied about.
The Magpies are managerless after Mark Cooper left the club following their 5-0 defeat against Carlisle United at Meadow Lane.
Cooper said he needed a result against the Cumbrians to trigger the prospect of a contract extension, but speculation ahead of the game had linked him to the Forest Green Rovers job.
No official confirmation from any club has yet been published regarding the ex-Swindon manager taking on a new role.
What do you think of the names mentioned as bookies' favourites for the Notts job and are you happy with the whole debacle surrounding Mark Cooper's stay at Meadow Lane? Share your thoughts by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County's disappointing season has ended on a low note after Carlisle United struck five unanswered goals at Meadow Lane, while the final whistle of the League Two clash saw Mark Cooper walk away from the club.
It took just four minutes for Hallam Hope to set up Newcastle United loanee Alex Gilliead to finish at the near post, setting the tone for what was to come.
Just before the half-hour mark Keith Curle's side doubled their lead as Jabo Ibehre pulled the ball back for Danny Grainger to score from 16 yards.
And five minutes before the break it was pretty much game over when a calamitous error by Haydn Hollis saw Gilliead claim the ball, and, via a passage of play including Jason Kennedy, get it to Ibehre, who stabbed home.
Notts conceded twice more in the second half, Ibehre bundling in Hope's low cross and Charlie Wyke latching onto Hollis' back-pass 10 minutes from time, rounding goalkeeper Roy Carroll and rolling the ball into the empty net.
This being Notts County, things obviously had to go from bad to worse as, shortly after the end of the game, it was confirmed that Cooper - one of the most liked Magpies managers in recent years - had rejected further negotiations to seal a deal, and walked out on the club.
Share your thoughts on the finale to Notts' season by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Speculation has arisen linking Notts County manager Mark Cooper with the job at Forest Green Rovers after the Magpies finish their season this weekend against Carlisle United.
The Gloucester Citizen has published an article saying Cooper is set to be named as the new boss of the National League side, who are in the playoffs to be promoted to the Football League.
Journalist Jon Palmer also posted a tweet appearing confident that the move will take place after the Football League regular season finishes.
 
 
This week, Cooper talked about how his target-based deal at Notts County is not automatic, and also said "unsettling" deals are part and parcel of the game.
He said: "Obviously there has been talk about the (Carlisle) result I need to earn a contract offer, but I just hope we put in a good performance.
"It's not an automatic deal that kicks in, the package would need to be agreed.
"No discussions have taken place on that side of things because obviously I have not met the target yet.
"Is it unsettling? That's football. That's the way the game is. You have to work day to day.
"In an ideal world I want to be here, but I have to get a result and see what happens.
"If I don't, then I am not too sure what happens there either. All the chairman said was we need to get these points and then we will talk about a deal."
Do you think Notts can hang on to Mark Cooper, and who should be to blame if he was to leave? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham's forum.
Joe Jones
Carlisle United and Notts County have met on just 29 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 10, with just 3 draws.
Our last meeting was on 19 December 2015, as 3,067 Carlisle fans who made the 170-mile round trip to Preston North End's stadium - during a time of horrendous floods in Cumbria - saw their side comfortably beat Notts 3-0.
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.
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Liam Noble will miss Notts County's game against Carlisle as he serves the second game of his five-match suspension following his third red card of the season.
Izale McLeod came on as a last-minute substitute in last weekend's 1-0 victory at Newport County and could push for a start.
Curtis Thompson's long-term ankle injury, meanwhile, will rule him out of the Magpies' final game of the season as he looks to recover in time for pre-season.
Jon Stead looks set to lead the line after completing 90 minutes at Newport unscathed after sustaining a head injury in the previous match.
Winger Jack Stacey has been recalled by parent club Reading and will miss Carlisle's trip, while Hallam Hope will come back into the squad, with the striker having completed a three-game ban for the Cumbrians.
Defender David Atkinson returned to the bench as an unused substitute in last weekend's 2-0 home loss to Oxford following a hamstring injury but could play some part.
Young midfielder Patrick Brough filled in for Macauley Gillesphey when he failed a fitness test and will do so again if the on-loan Newcastle winger is still not fit.
How will Notts fare in their final game of the season? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County have confirmed that they will play Nottingham Forest in a pre-season friendly this summer for Mike Edwards' testimonial.
The date of the match against Notts' local rivals has been confirmed as Saturday 23rd July 2016, with a 3pm kick off.
Edwards, 35, has made over 340 appearances for the Magpies during two spells at the club, and was a part of the team that lifted the League Two title in the 2009-10 season.
The Football League granted the defender and strength & conditioning coach a testimonial year after a committee were successful with their application to honour him.
Edwards said: "I'm delighted and humbled to have been given a testimonial and I have a lot of people to thank.
"I need to say thank you to Ray and Aileen Trew for their support and the committee for the work they have put in to make this possible.
"During my time here I've played in a few pre-season games against Forest and, of course, the League Cup tie. They have always been great occasions and that made it an ideal choice. It's a great match to be involved in whether it be a pre-season friendly or as a competitive game.
"It's also good for the city of Nottingham with it being announced as the City of Football so it can bring the two clubs together. It would be fantastic if it were to be more of a regular occurrence.
"I'd like to give a big thank you to those involved at Forest for agreeing to the match, which I'm really looking forward to."
Will you be attending Mike Edwards' testimonial this summer? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Hundreds of Notts County fans gathered outside Meadow Lane on Thursday to see the unveiling of the statue of club legends Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler.
The memorial, situated between the Derek Pavis Stand and the Trent Navigation Inn pub, was revealed to about 200 supporters at midday.
Jimmy and Jack – who took the Magpies from the old fourth division to the English top tier – have been immortalised in bronze after a campaign to raise more than £100,000 was launched in May 2010 following their deaths.
The statue, designed by sculptor Andrew Edwards, depicts former manager Sirrel and trainer Wheeler sitting on a bench in a dugout.

Were you at Meadow Lane to see the unveiling? What do you think of it? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham forum.
Joe Jones
Notts County striker Jon Stead has claimed he would "love" manager Mark Cooper to be given the job permanently and hopes to be part of his plans should that be the case.
The former Swindon Town boss is just one result away from triggering a clause which will guarantee a permanent contract offer from the club's owner Ray Trew.
With one year left on his contract, Stead is hoping to help Cooper to get a result against Carlisle United on Saturday and subsequently feature in his plans next season, having scored 14 goals for the club since arriving last summer.
"I have another year here and I am really backing the gaffer's corner - I would love him to stay," Stead said.
"I think he can really build next season given the reins and let him do what he needs to do with the squad.
“Hopefully I will be a part of that. I've been half and half in my personal goals this season. 
“I've done reasonably well with my goals tally and played a lot of games which is nice, but there is more I can do. I want to improve my tally and my all round game."
Can Stead lead the Notts County line under Cooper next 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 striker Jon Stead has claimed that a straightforward and direct approach was crucial in getting a 1-0 win at Newport County on a “very difficult” pitch.
Genaro Snijders’ strike was the difference on a sandy Rodney Parade surface in Saturday’s League Two clash in Wales.
Goalkeeper Roy Carroll also marked his return to first-team action with a clean sheet as the Magpies’ penultimate game, and last away, yielded three points.
"It was nice to finish off the away games for the season with a win," said Stead.
"We came with a straightforward game plan on a very difficult pitch. We wanted to frustrate and be more direct and it worked.
"We stuck at it from the first minute until last on a pitch that was difficult for both teams - we dealt with it well."
Can Notts County give their fans a happy ending to the season with a Meadow Lane win against Carlisle this weekend? Share your thoughts by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Mark Cooper has admitted he took it easy on the players the day before the Newport County game by not having a training session and getting them bacon sandwiches on the way to the ground.
The Magpies beat the Exiles 1-0 at Rodney Parade on Saturday, Genaro Snijders's goal stopping the rot after three League Two defeats on the trot.
"We didn't train on Friday," Cooper told reporters in his post-match interview.
"We got the players a bacon sandwich, got them on the bus and tried to keep it a little bit lighter.
"It is always nice to win a game of football, it's a better feeling in the changing room and makes for a better journey home on the coach.
"I thought the players had a go and that's all I have been asking for."
Cooper also criticised the Rodney Parade pitch, which was sandy and with parts of it completely bald.
"It wasn't pretty but the pitch is a disgrace for a Football League club," he continued.
"I am sure they will want to do something about it next season because they shouldn't be allowed to play on it.
"It's difficult when you have got one team playing rugby on it, but two? Well, they have to sort it out - players' careers are on the line."
Share your thoughts on Notts County's win at Newport County and on Mark Cooper's managing of the team by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Mark Cooper has admitted that he has not yet reached the points target needed to secure a permanent deal at Meadow Lane, and that he needs a result in next weekend's League Two game against Carlisle.
The Magpies beat Newport County 1-0 on Saturday after Genaro Snijders's third goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides at Rodney Parade.
Cooper has not divulged whether he needs a win or a draw, but says he is relishing the challenge in the final game of the season.
"All I can say is it is game on next week," he said.
"I wanted to be going into the final game of the season with something on it and I've done that.
"I need a result next week - the players have been joking about and saying if it's just one you need we will just put 11 men on the edge of the box.
"It is what it is. I am happy with the points we have got so far so let's see what happens next week."
Can Notts secure the needed result against Carlisle next week, and should Mark Cooper be given a contract nonetheless? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County stopped the rot in Saturday's League Two clash at Newport County as a much improved performance and a Genaro Snijders goal gave Mark Cooper's charges a 1-0 win at Rodney Parade.
The Magpies survived an early scare when a scramble in their box caused panic before Alan Smith was able to clear, and moments later Dean Morgan fired wide with an open goal at his disposal.
Tommy O'Sullivan was next to threaten for the Exiles as he blasted just wide of goal 12 minutes in, but on the quarter-hour mark Notts countered through a long-range shot from Graham Burke which was forced out for a corner.
Cooper's side was then denied a penalty in the 21st minute after Jon Stead appeared to be upended in the box, but the referee gave nothing.
Nevertheless the travelling fans would have been happy with how their side grew into the game and fashioned a number of other chances, culminating in Snijders getting a lucky break when the ball fell to him 12 yards out after Stead pressured opposition keeper Joe Day into a mistake, and duly sidefooting home.
Notts were bright after the restart, with Stead firing wide from Hewitt's cross 54 minutes in and Smith shooting from distance, but Newport then enjoyed a dangerous spell where both Haydn Hollis and Hewitt were forced to clear off the line.
A Burke free kick then flew just over the bar after the hour, while Stead also fashioned a chance which was saved by Day after a deflection.
It was end to end stuff for the remainder of the second half as Hollis once again cleared off the line and Burke and Stead weighed in with more chances, while Filip Valencic also came close and Adam Campbell struck the post late on.
Ultimately no more goals were to come, which suited Notts fine as they redeemed themselves in front of their manager and fans with a 1-0 win.
What did you think of the performance and result? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County have taken a 1-0 lead in Saturday's League Two clash against Newport County at Rodney Parade, thanks to Genaro Snijders's goal five minutes before the break.
The Magpies survived an early scare when a scramble in their box caused panic before Alan Smith was able to clear, and moments later Dean Morgan fired wide with an open goal at his disposal.
Tommy O'Sullivan was next to threaten for the Exiles as he blasted just wide of goal 12 minutes in, but on the quarter-hour mark Notts countered through a long-range shot from Graham Burke which was forced out for a corner.
Mark Cooper's side was then denied a penalty in the 21st minute after Jon Stead appeared to be upended in the box, but the referee gave nothing.
Nevertheless the travelling fans would have been happy with how their side grew into the game and fashioned a number of other chances, culminating in Snijders getting a lucky break when the ball fell to him 12 yards out after Stead pressured the opposition keeper into a mistake, and duly sidefooting home.
Share your thoughts on the first half by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County assistant manager Richard Dryden has admitted that he is struggling to think of any redemptive aspects to the season.
The Magpies were expected to challenge for promotion in 2015-16 but, with two games left to play, their only 'achievement' is that they have survived the drop.
Asked if it was hard to see a silver lining to the season, Dryden said: "It's very difficult to see at the moment.
"You look at what the club has gone through this season in three more managers, but we still want to acquit ourselves as best we can.
"We've still got pride to play for. And again, whoever goes out and wears that shirt, we hope they work hard.
"And we hope again that they can show a bit of quality."
Can you think of any positive aspects to this season? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham's forum.
Joe Jones
Notts County and Newport County have met a total of 45 times over the years, the first fixture coming in 1930, which the Magpies won 3-2.
The head-to-head record is skewed in the Magpies’ favour, with 24 wins, 9 draws and 12 defeats. Our last meeting, in December last year, was a thrilling affair, with Liam Noble bagging a 96th-minute winner in a 4-3 victory at Meadow Lane.
Notts’s record league win is against Newport – an 11-1 victory. We have also beaten them 5-0, 6-2, 7-0, 6-0 and 8-1 over the years.
Newport County, originally nicknamed "The Ironsides" due to Newport being home to Lysaght's Orb Works steel works, started out in the Southern League in 1912 at Somerton Park.
The official name of the club was The Newport & Monmouth County Association Football Club, although the shorter Newport County was soon adopted.
The club were reformed in 1919 and were first elected to the Football League in 1920.
Newport County were Welsh Cup winners in 1980 and subsequently reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1981.
The club was relegated from the Football League in 1988 and went out of business in February 1989, but reformed shortly afterwards and entered the English football league system at a much lower level. In 2013 the club then won promotion back to the Football League for the first time since 1988.
In the 1970s and 1980s comedian Frank Carson was appointed as a Director and Vice President in order to raise the profile of the club.
Newport based rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain are also supporters of the club and were the team's shirt sponsors for the 2004–05 season FAW Premier Cup matches.
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Newport confirmed their League Two status with last weekend's draw against Luton Town and boss Warren Feeney looks poised to call up academy products Liam Angel, Kieran Parselle and Tom Owen-Evans for their dead rubber against Notts.
Striker Tom Meechan can also expect a first-team chance as the Exiles wind up their season with their final two games, against the Magpies and, a week later, against AFC Wimbledon.
Elsewhere, there could be a recall for defender Matt Partridge following his three-month injury absence, with Feeney thought to be considering resting Darren Jones and Andrew Hughes.
Notts will once again be without the suspended Liam Noble after his red card last weekend. His third dismissal of the season, and his sixth in the past two campaigns, has seen the midfielder hit with a five-match ban and he will sit out the remaining two games of this season as well as the opening three matches of 2016-17.
Elsewhere, strikers Jon Stead and Izale McLeod are serious doubts for the trip to Wales and Curtis Thompson's ankle injury will keep him out.
Stead missed the defeat to Cambridge United after suffering concussion against Barnet and he will have to prove his fitness, while McLeod is also struggling, having had an upset stomach which also forced him to miss last weekend's game against ex-boss Shaun Derry's team.
How will the Magpies fare against Newport? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Mark Cooper has admitted that he has not yet achieved the points tally needed to secure a permanent contract at Notts County, and is unsure whether he will meet it.
The ex-Swindon manager, hired as a replacement for Jamie Fullarton, has accrued eight points from eight games, ensuring the Magpies will remain in League Two next season.
"The points tally is still achievable, but if you were to look at the last three games and the defeats, it's looking a bit far-fetched," Cooper said.
"But I will keep going because I want to give the chairman that problem of getting the target.
"I think everyone can see what the problem is and if I was to stay I think we could have a really good year next season.
"It's such a massive task for whoever is the manager because there is a lot of work to do.
"We've got to get some good characters in the group, some good players and sort it out really.
"I've tried to coach, I've tried to play in a way that can get results, but everybody knows what needs to happen.
"Let's hope we can get two good results before the end of the season and then we can start preparing for next season."
Should Cooper be given a permanent deal at Meadow Lane? Share your thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham forum.

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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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