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Joe Jones
Notts County and Hartlepool United have met 28 times over the years. The first meeting was on 21 September 1959 at Victoria Park, and the Magpies won 4-2.
The head-to-head record stands at 11 wins for Notts, 12 defeats and 5 draws.
Our last five meetings stand at two wins for Notts and three defeats, including the last time both sides met, a 3-2 defeat in the 2013-14 FA Cup.
Saturday's game is the first league encounter between the two sides this season after the first fixture, which was supposed to take place on Boxing Day, was postponed due to adverse weather.
In 1905, the amateur team West Hartlepool won the FA Amateur Cup which at the time was considered second only to the FA Cup. Partly as a result of this the opportunity for a professional team arose in 1908, when West Hartlepool Rugby Club went bust leaving their stadium Victoria Ground vacant.
The stadium was bought and the current club was founded under the name ‘Hartlepools United Football Athletic Company’, representing both the town of West Hartlepool and the original settlement of Old Hartlepool.
The new team joined the professional North-Eastern league and West Hartlepool F.C. lost some of their players to the new professional side. West Hartlepool managed to continue for a few seasons, but it was not long before they broke up leaving Hartlepools United as the only team in town.
In 1968 the "s" and the "United" were dropped from the team name of "Hartlepools United". This was in connection with West Hartlepool being absorbed along with the old smaller town of Hartlepool and the village of Hart into one new borough named "Hartlepool". The appendage of "United" was finally restored in 1977.
Brian Clough was invited to manage Hartlepools in 1965. His reaction was: "I don't fancy the place," but he took the job anyway and stayed for two seasons alongside Peter Taylor.
Under Cyril Knowles' management the club won promotion to the Third Division in 1990, but Hartlepool's greatest moment occurred in 2005 when they narrowly missed promotion to The Championship.
According to local folklore, the term “Monkey Hangers”, which Hartlepudlians are sometimes called, originates from an incident in which a monkey was hanged in the town.
During the Napoleonic Wars, a French ship of the type chasse marée was wrecked off the coast of Hartlepool. The only survivor was a monkey, allegedly wearing a French uniform to provide amusement for the crew. On finding the monkey, some locals decided to hold an impromptu trial on the beach; since the monkey was unable to answer their questions and because they had seen neither a monkey nor a Frenchman before, they concluded that the monkey was in fact a French spy. Being found guilty the animal was duly sentenced to death and hanged on the beach.
An alternative theory is put forward alongside the above on the "This Is Hartlepool" town guide, stating: "Then there are some who point to a much darker interpretation of the yarn. They say that the creature that was hanged might not have been a monkey at all; it could have been a young boy. After all, the term powder-monkey was commonly used in those times for the children employed on warships to prime the cannon with gunpowder."
In the 2002 council election, the team's mascot "H'Angus the Monkey", aka Stuart Drummond, was elected mayor of Hartlepool as an independent, under the slogan "free bananas for schoolchildren". 
Even though his candidacy was just a publicity stunt, Drummond has since been re-elected after throwing off his comedy image and identifying himself increasingly with the Labour group on the council. 
On 5 May 2013, Drummond left his post of Hartlepool's mayor after a November 2012 referendum meant that Hartlepool would no longer have a mayor, instead being led by committees.
In recent years the most visible fan of the club has been Jeff Stelling, presenter of Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports. The rock star Meat Loaf, Janick Gers of the metal band Iron Maiden, MP Peter Mandelson, and film director Ridley Scott are also fans of the club.
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Notts boss Jamie Fullarton could hand a debut to Gary Mackenzie after the experienced defender arrived on a month’s loan from Doncaster Rovers on deadline day.
Midfielder Stanley Aborah was back on the bench for County’s win at Luton Town at the weekend but Fullarton could be tempted to restore him to the starting XI after a knee injury.
Winger Will Hayhurst is likely to miss the rest of the season after sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage.
Luke James is in line to make his second debut for Hartlepool after rejoining the club on loan from Peterborough United, while fellow Deadline Day signing Josh Laurent is also in contention this weekend.
Captain Billy Paynter came off the bench against Exeter City and pressed his claims for a starting spot by scoring for a second game in succession for the reserves on Monday.
Carl Magnay also featured as a substitute in Saturday’s game at Victoria Park and he will now be considered for a start after shaking off a troublesome groin injury.
Matthew Bates missed out on the game against Exeter after further problems with his toe but could be fit to face the Magpies.
Michael Duckworth underwent a scan on his injured stomach earlier this week which proved inconclusive so the full-back continues to receive treatment and won’t feature.
Harry Worley is closing in on a return to fitness after completing his rehabilitation following an ankle operation but this Saturday’s game will come too soon for the centre-back.
Share your thoughts on this article and the provisional team news by signing up, visiting the Pride of Nottingham forum and joining the conversation.
 
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton hasn't ruled out the option of adding new players to his squad once the emergency loan window reopens.
The Scot has made just one signing so far in recruiting Gary MacKenzie on loan from Doncaster Rovers on transfer deadline day.
Fullarton said: "The loan window is certainly an option to us, but much of it will depend on movement and circumstance.Whether we make a move for somebody or whether we don't, remains to be seen.
"The pertinent question that will need to be answered is, will it make us better? If it is something that appeals and it answers that question, then of course we will look at it."
Notts take on struggling Hartlepool United in the league on Saturday.
Does Fullarton need to make more signings? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Chris
Hartlepool United manager, Ronnie Moore has told his players to go and 'enjoy' playing their football - He insists they should show no fear, starting with the Pools trip to Meadow Lane tomorrow.
Hartlepool finds themselves a single position above the drop zone of League Two, a mere 12 points behind the Magpies'.
In a mid-week interview More said "Pressure? it’s for whimps". Before adding "Just go and play football, we’re not getting shot at out there! Yes, it’s people’s livelihoods and the fans have supported the club all their lives – they don’t want to see us go out of this league. But it’s game of football - go out there and enjoy it."
"It’s a matter of getting together, taking the chances when they come."
Pools dropped to 22nd in the table this week, it's their lowest league position since last May - It follows after Yeovil managed to secure a point against Luton Town, though the Pools have a total of 4 games in hand.
"We can’t do anything about other teams winning. You have to live with that. But we have the opportunity with our games in hand." explained Moore.
"They mean nothing though unless we are winning them, we know it’s going to be tough, there’s no doubt about that but we have a decent squad here now and one we should not fear anyone. We need a little break, we need someone to put the ball in the net, however it goes in, it does not have to be a wondergoal."
Former Hartlepool United striker Luke James will be availible for the pools selection and will be tasked with causing Notts County's defender trouble. He will remain with the side on a half-season long loan after signing from Peterborough United. Also availible would select the 21-year-olds partner from a range of players such as Rakish Bingham, Rhys Oates, Billy Paynter and Scott Fenwick.
"Luke can play with any of our strikers,” said Moore. “He can play in a 4-4-2 or just off the forward, It’s a hard decision for me because given the amount of forwards here now, one or two may not be in the squad altogether."
"But all the lads have had ample time to put a smile on my face, none of them can knock on my door if they are out. Scotty is maybe the only one who can feel hard done by, but the reason I went for Bings last week was his pace."
"It wasn’t anything to do with me thinking Bings is a better forward than Scotty. It was horses for courses, but we can all be wise after the event can’t we? We can all say at 5pm, 'oh, I wouldn’t have picked him'."
Nathan Thomas will be a certain starter for the pools, along side Luke James - who returned after putting an outstanding performance last Saturday against Exeter City.
"If we had someone like Luke last week we would have won as Nathan was unplayable," said Moore.
"He has ability, he is bright and quick and creates chances. Nathan can be our saviour – playing at that pace, opposition players can’t handle him. I don’t want to pin too much responsibility on one boy, but everyone has seen what he is capable of. I’m sure if he produces that week-in, week-out there will be enough balls coming in to satisfy any striker."
Have your say on the Pride of Nottingham match discussion - Here. Don't forget to join in and if you haven't registered - you can do so here.
Chris
Hartlepool United presents Jamie Fullarton an excellent opportunity, as does the run of fixtures taking place within February. Yet, it’s tricky in a sense because we feature the Pools twice within recent weeks of each other and those games are quite hard for teams struggling to insert themselves on the field – especially when the first game is at home.

York City, Leyton Orient and Accrington Stanley are games coming up.

We also face a difficult Plymouth Argyle towards the latter part of the month. York and Accrington are games which I feel we can secure points; it is aided by the fact that Jamie has restored faith in the away performances.

So tomorrow we face the challenge which a struggling Hartlepool United presents and the conversations within our match discussion has instantly raised concerns regarding both midfields.

I don’t think they will sit back, it’s not the style of play they try to incorporate into their tactics.

Most likely, they will build with patience or result to keeping the ball in the air, so that this breaks the game up and allows them to edge closer to playing it on the ground within the final third. They will want to involve their wingers as much as possible, with so many young and eager players and a packed midfield this could make it hard for us to break them down.

Which will be a test of character for Notts to enable play to break them down.

With York City also being a side which struggle, I think this will be the game that could entice confidence from our own attacking play.

Orient are a different scenario, we know that they will look to play with confidence and aggression – whilst Accrington are just your typical League 2 team.

Plymouth being the final fixture of February, will rely on the morale and confidence picked up from the previous five games.

I think picking 10 points could happen; it’s the mid-range of what I would predict personally and much depends on our home performances’ that break up the away games.

I don’t dismiss that there will be tests, yet for us to finish as high as possible (forgetting about the play-offs for now) – we will need to acquire much of the points here, as March could be a month where we could seal further victories.

It may seem negative to think about this now, but I have thought about comments made about next season. Surely re-building in the summer will allow us to focus on challenging wisely for promotion from League 2?

C’mon You PIES!!
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Joe Jones
Notts County manager has called on his players to play even better than they did against Luton Town and grab a first home win under his tenure against Hartlepool United.
The Scot has two wins in his first three games in charge, but his one game at Meadow Lane ended badly as AFC Wimbledon cruised to a 2-0 win.
Fullarton said: "I want to see improvement. Not only do I want an improvement on the previous home performance, and result, but an improvement on what we did at Luton.
"We go to win every game we play, and that's clear in my message to the players. And I believe that we can do that no matter whom we play.
"It's about transferring that into our own environment because at home the onus is on you a little bit more to attack. Rather than shy away or be affected by it, embrace it and use it as a positive.
"Against Wimbledon we didn't do that. The game plan they implemented   affected us and meant we couldn't perform to the level we are capable of.”
Can Notts bring joy to their home fans with victory against Hartlepool? Let Pride of Nottingham know.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has admitted the club could extend Gary MacKenzie’s stay at Meadow Lane.
The Doncaster Rovers defender joined the Magpies on a month-long loan just before the closure of the January transfer window.
Fullarton believes that the 30-year-old’s arrival will only help his young back four improve, with Blair Adams being the oldest at Luton last weekend at 24.
He said: "When we realised Gary was available and we had the opportunity to bring him in, we worked fast on it.
"He is a presence and a voice and he will help with the young defenders what we have in the coming weeks.
"Gary is a defender and I think sometimes, and this applies to all levels of the game, we forget what the role and responsibilities are. The aim is to defend and the second role is to defend again.
“He will have influence, he takes responsibility, he organises and he has fitted in very well already with the younger lads. We are quite young in that department.
"Since coming in, Gary has showed his qualities already. He is a professional. 
"He is experienced enough not just in football, but also in life too. He is 30 and that's a good age. He will get game time here, which he has been short of at Doncaster. 
"It's a win-win scenario all round. We'll see how it goes, but it is definitely an option (loan extension). Much of it will depend on the circumstances at the time.”
 
What do you make of Gary MacKenzie's presence and loan deal at Meadow Lane? Sign up to Pride of Nottingham, visit the forum and join the conversation.
super_ram
This week's fixture list has thrown up some very interesting games and every one is important for all the teams, whether trying to avoid relegation or aiming for promotion. So this week I'm going through each game individually and the importance of each game will become apparent. I've made Notts County v Hartlepool my key game.

*Important Game ** Key Game

Saturday 6th February 2016

*Bristol Rovers v Wimbledon – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
*Cambridge v Dagenham & Redbridge – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-0)
Carlisle v Accrington – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
*Exeter v Oxford United – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
Mansfield v Morecambe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction(2-0)
Newport v Barnet – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Northampton v York – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-0)
**Notts County v Hartlepool – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
Portsmouth v Leyton Orient – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Stevenage v Crawley – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
*Wycombe v Luton – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Yeovil v Plymouth – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)

The first game on Saturday sees 4th placed Bristol Rovers striving to strengthen their place in the playoffs playing Wimbledon at 10th who are trying to join them.

Next comes 11th placed Cambridge on 41 points aiming to keep their own promotion hopes going while further damaging 23rd placed Dagenham & Redbridge's survival hopes.

Carlisle at 13th and Accrington at 6th have games to catch up having both only played 25 games, so this game is obviously important for these two teams.

Exeter at 12th and with 41 points will be trying to stay in touch with the chasing pack while denting 3rd placed Oxfords automatic promotion hopes.

Mansfield at 7th with 44 points are another team trying to stay in the playoff mix playing Morecambe at 14th with 36 points.

Newport at 20th with 27 points take on Barnet in 18th place with 33 points with these two teams trying to distance themselves from the relegation places.

Next comes top of the table Northampton at home to bottom club York.

Skip to 5th placed Portsmouth in the playoff places on 45 points playing Leyton Orient at 9th and with 43 points only one point outside the playoffs.

Stevenage at 19th with 28 points playing Crawley at 17th with 34 points sees another game with both teams hoping to pull away from the lower reaches of League Two.

Wycombe at 8th with 43 points are yet another team well in the promotion race playing Luton at 16th with 35 points.

Yeovil at 21st with 24 points have a difficult game at home to 2nd placed Plymouth who have 56 points.

Tuesday 9th February 2016

Dagenham & Redbridge v Wycombe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
Hartlepool v Stevenage – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
*Oxford United v Mansfield – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)

Tuesdays fixtures continue the important game trend with currently 23rd placed Dagenham & Redbridge playing currently 8th placed Wycombe.

Notts' Saturday opponents Hartlepool take on 19th placed Stevenage at the bottom end of the table while at the other end 3rd placed Oxford entertain 7th placed Mansfield.

My thoughts on the Notts game.

Notts with 36 points and placed 15th from 27 games host 22nd placed Hartlepool whose 25 games have yielded 24 points.

Notts haven't played Hartlepool yet this season and the return fixture takes place later this month on Tuesday the 16th.

The last time the teams played each other was in the FA Cup on 9/11/2013 when pools won at their place 3–2. The last league meetings between the two teams were in 2012/13 in League One when Hartlepool won 2–1 at their place with Notts winning 2–0 at Meadow Lane.

Notts are only 8 points off the playoff places but need to return to winning ways at home to back up the two recent away wins under Jamie Fullarton.

I got my forecast hopelessly wrong a fortnight ago and the Notts performance was hopeless too. I hope my 2–0 prediction doesn't put a jinx on the result this time and that all Pie fans are happy come Saturday teatime.
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shepshedpie
After last week's thrilling late win at Grimsby, the league table has a fascinating look to it.
All the top four teams are on 27 points, with Notts' superior goal difference putting them right on top of the pile.
This Saturday (just like the first team) the young 'Pies are at home to Hartlepool United with the obvious added pressure that in order to stay at the top of the league table, another win is required.
It is hoped that Jack McMillan will have recovered from the knock that saw him limping off the pitch on Saturday and that Yohan Rutty-Smith and Luther Wildin are also fit to resume the fight after both missing the win at Grimsby.
For anyone who can make it down to Arnold FC on Saturday morning to cheer on the young 'Pies - do it - as they rarely serve up a disappointing performance.
COYP!
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Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has praised the attitude of former defender Gill Swerts, describing him as a “gentleman”.
The former Belgium international had his Magpies contract terminated by mutual consent on transfer deadline day – just six months into a two-year deal – after a move to Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta failed to materialise.
Having started plenty of games at the start of the season, Swerts lost his place in the team recently and, towards the end of his Meadow Lane tenure, had not even made the substitutes' bench.
"He was a gentleman," Fullarton said of Swerts. "He came to work with the right attitude and worked in a way that you would expect any professional to do.
"Sometimes that doesn't happen, especially when you are not close to the team. But you never would have been able to tell that Gill wasn't involved with the team, given his excellent attitude towards training.
"Superficially, it's tough to let people like that leave, but you have to be as objective as you can in terms of what's the aim and what's the best decision for the football club.
"Even in conversations with Gill, who didn't agree with the decision, realised it was best for all."
Should Gill Swerts have left Notts County? Share your opinion – sign up to Pride of Nottingham, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has admitted that the club reluctantly agreed to let Jimmy Spencer leave after he expressed a desire to find first-team football.
The striker left Meadow Lane last Friday and subsequently signed a six-month deal with Shaun Derry's Cambridge United, for whom he scored on his debut at Leyton Orient on Saturday.
The forward had struggled to regain his first-team place after a serious knee injury in the summer of 2014.
Fullarton told local media: "Jimmy expressed a strong desire to leave the club for game time which, like all other players, I could not guarantee.
"So after long discussions we as a club reluctantly agreed to let Jimmy go – we wish him all the best for the future.
"The other players who left were in a different situation as they were not part of the first team squad and were unlikely to be able to force their way into contention.
"It was best for all involved that they further their careers elsewhere." 
Spencer was one of four players to leave the club during the window, with midfielder Gill Swerts, winger Julian Jenner and defender Civard Sprockel also released.
What do you make of the circumstances surrounding Jimmy Spencer's departure? Sign up to Pride of Nottingham, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Former Notts County trainee Darren Powell has taken charge of United States football side USL San Antonio.
The 43-year-old, from West Bridgford, took the reins last month at the new franchise, playing in the American third division.
He said: "From the very first conversation I had I could see it was a very exciting project and I'm keen to help and be a part of it.
I don't see it as daunting. When you're coaching and you're ambitious and learning your trade all the time at various levels, you're always aspiring to be at the next level. 
"It's a natural progression at this point in my career. It's more than building a first team, you're also trying to set a structure in place for young players in San Antonio.”
Powell made the move across the Atlantic in 1991, having been a trainee with the Magpies when Neil Warnock was manager.
Do you know Darren or have similar stories to share, either about yourself or others that have made a similar leap into world football? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the site, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Chris
Notts County Ladies have completed the sale of England defender Alex Greenwood to Liverpool Ladies 'for a significant' fee.
Alex has been a pinnacle player for the Lady Pies since arriving at the club in 2015, helping the side respectfully finish two successful campaigns and also most recently helping Notts reach Wembley in the F.A Cup.
The 22-year-old featured also featured in the Continental Tyres Cup Final last season.
Former FA WLS 1 champions, Liverpool have added Alex Greenwood in order to strengthen their squad after making an additional six signings, and Scott Rogers was keen to sign the Lioness and liverpool born left-back.
"This is a fantastic move for me and I am really enthusiastic about the new season, I had a great year at Notts County but this represents an exciting, new challenge and one that I am really looking forward to." Alex told the official site.
The fee, although undisclosed is believed to be a club record sale for Notts County who 'reluctantly' accepted the offer from Liverpool.
"We received a significant bid from Liverpool, which was close to our valuation for the player, and considering her wish to leave we reluctantly accepted the offer," Notts County Ladies chief executive Matthew Alexander said.
"Notts County wishes Alex all the best for the future."
Do you feel Notts Ladies should have sold Alex Greenwood? How can they put the fee to good use? - Join in our discussion here.
Joe Jones
Former Belgium international Gill Swerts has had his Notts County contract terminated by mutual consent.
Having arrived at Meadow Lane on a two-year deal last summer, the ex-Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar and Vitesse Arnhem player made 16 appearances before falling down the pecking order in recent weeks.
Jamie Fullarton told the official website: "We received an offer for Gill last week but that fell through at the last minute which was disappointing for the player. This led to discussions between myself and the player which resulted in the decision that it was in the interests of both the club and Gill for him to move on.
“He’s been a top professional since I came through the door and I know he’ll be missed in the changing room. Sadly though he wants first team football at this moment but I can't guarantee any player that but we obviously wish him all the best in the future.”
 
What are your thoughts on Swerts' departure? Let Pride of Nottingham know by joining the site, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Chris
Notts County first team manager Jamie Fullarton has completed the signing of Gary MacKenzie on loan, the deal is initially for twenty-eight days.

The 30-year-old Doncaster Rovers defender has enjoyed spells with more recently Bradford City, Blackpool and MK Dons.

The Magpies’ are looking to further shore up their defensive options with this arrival after recently managing to keep a clean sheet against Luton Town last Saturday.

Speaking to the club for the first time, Gary said “I’ve got plenty of experience in the league above but it should work out for everybody. If I can benefit Notts County and myself then everyone is happy.”

“My job is to organise and keep clean sheets in the defence but I also like to play football – it makes the game more enjoyable. But the important thing for me is to concede fewer goals.”

Jamie Fullarton was quick to speak about his connection with MacKenzie by saying “Gary is a player I’ve known form a number of years from his time with Rangers and Dundee. You find yourself tracking players throughout the years and how they can complement your setup at the time.”

“Obviously I’m delighted to bring him in because I feel he offers us something different, he’s a true leader who will help develop our young defenders in the first team and make a big contribution.”

The Magpies’ are also said to be looking at former Rams defender Miles Addison and ex-Plymouth winger Jason Banton who are said to be training with the club.
What do you think of this signing? Does it reassure you that the defence is being strengthened? Don’t forget to have you say below or within our community discussion, as we welcome Gary MacKenzie to Meadow Lane – Here.
Chris
Former Magpies’ striker Alex Kenlock has joined East Grinstead Town.

Alex was part of the set-up, which enjoyed travelling to Spain back 2014, where he was part of the Football League Education system with Notts County’s youth team and had signed his first professional deal with the magpies in April 2015.

The forward, who spent several years with Notts County – after progressing through the academy ranks, has joined the Ryman League Division One South Side on Friday.

On the following day, he made his debut for Matt Longhurst’s side in a 0-0 draw against Herne Bay.
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