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Kevin Nolan challenges Notts County to mount another unbeaten run in League Two

Kevin Nolan has challenged his Notts County players to put together another unbeaten run as they seek to finish the League Two season off in the automatic promotion places.
Saturday's 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers means the Magpies currently stand on three games without defeat, alongside victory over Stevenage and a draw with Cheltenham Town.
“Earlier in the season when we had a couple of losses we have always gone eight, nine, 10 games unbeaten,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“That’s the challenge to the boys now because seven points out of the last nine is a fantastic return.
“We probably should have nine out of nine but for refereeing decisions which I am disappointed about.
“But we just have to keep looking after ourselves. We have a really tough game this weekend and everybody is looking forward to it.
“We will have a game plan and if we stick to it we have every chance of getting 10 points out of 12.”
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Joe Jones

Liam Noble: 'I must get rid of reputation as a volatile player'

Liam Noble has vowed to try and get rid of his reputation as a volatile player as he insists he will not "blow up" when provoked on the pitch any more.
The 26-year-old was sent off five times during his first two seasons at Notts County but has not been shown a red card in more than 70 games since his spell at Forest Green Rovers and subsequent return to Meadow Lane.
“I have this bad reputation for being sent off but I’ve not had a red card in 70-odd games now so that needs to go now,” Noble, who scored the opener in County's 2-1 win at FGR, told the Nottingham Post.
“People are waiting for me to blow up but it isn’t going to happen. I am 26 and if people are kicking you then they are doing it for a reason – because you are a good player.
“When I was 21 or 22, I would have volleyed them back. I just need to get this rid of this reputation. I played 50 games last season and another 25 this season for Notts and Forest Green and not one red card.
“The gaffer said that if I got sent off for something stupid then I would never play for him again. That was only right. I think that will be the case until the end of the season until I gain his trust as well.
“He felt the need to pull me and say don’t get sent off so there’s probably some doubt in there. Hopefully I can keep proving him and everyone else wrong.”
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Joe Jones

Mark Cooper: 'Forest Green Rovers deserved something from Notts County game'

Mark Cooper has claimed that Forest Green Rovers deserved to get something out of their game against Notts County despite a "terrible" first half.
The Magpies ran out 2-1 winners over the Green Devils at the New Lawn on Saturday, taking the lead through Liam Noble after the visitors pounced on a defensive mistake.
Although Tahvon Campbell grabbed an equaliser for the hosts, Matt Tootle had the final say when he slugged the ball through a crowd of bodies and into the back of the net.
“The first half was a non-event, we didn’t start well so the only complaint I can have today was that the first half was terrible,” former Notts boss Cooper told the official FGR site.
“We didn’t play with any tempo, that obviously wasn’t coached that was just us being pedestrian, not asking questions of Notts County at the back, of their defence, and we just let them play themselves into the game and get a goal.
“Wishart dribbled in the box and gave it straight to their centre forward and it ricocheted and they tapped it in.
“I thought in the second-half we were brilliant, I thought we had a right go. All I said at half time was go and have a go and we deserved to get something out of the game.
“We should defend better and with the experience we’ve got in the side, we should get something. We didn’t produce that final telling pass in the final third which we’d have liked to.
“We dominated the second half but we have to make sure we get at least a point as I a point would have been a good result for us. It was a chance to test ourselves against a top three and see how far away we are and in the second half we showed we’re not far.”
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Joe Jones

Former Notts County forward Montel Gibson leaves Ilkeston Town

Former Notts County forward Montel Gibson has been left with "no representative and no club" after Ilkeston Town confirmed his departure.
The 20-year-old made 28 starts for Steve Chettle's team this season and enjoyed a fruitful turnaround of 15 goals.
However, Gibson is no longer at the New Manor Ground club, with the team manager citing his difficulty in attending training from Birmingham due to lack of own transport.
“Montel was finding it hard to balance his time between training, playing and travelling from Birmingham, he was making these journeys without his own transport and was reliant on lifts from other people, because of this, he was only able to make training once a week," Chettle said.
”I spoke to him last week and he has really enjoyed his time with Ilkeston, and everyone at the club would like to thank him for all of his efforts this season, and we wish him well in the future, wherever that lies.”
Gibson told the Ilson site: “It’s been quite emotional to leave such a big club full of positivity and such supportive people who believe in you.
"Considering my time has only been short, Ilkeston has become a second home to me. So, I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Ilkeston, I’ve met a great bunch of lads along the way, the fans were magnificent week in, week out. The support here is different class every single game.
“Steve has been amazing since the day I came to Ilkeston, he believed in me and pushed me from the start, on and off the pitch. I’d also like to thank the rest of the coaching staff, Ian, Craig, Simon and Physio Dave.”
Gibson was on Notts County's books between 2016 and 2017, making five appearances for the Magpies, before joining Ilson on a free transfer last summer, and has now expressed an interest in playing abroad.
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Joe Jones

Match Reaction: 'Notts County must build on win at Forest Green and get some real form back'

Notts County secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday to keep them third in the League Two table.
Liam Noble returned to haunt his former club, of which he was captain, with the opener for the Magpies after 34 minutes played at the New Lawn.
Lewis Alessandra was brought down in the FGR box but the referee opted to play the advantage, which resulted in Noble rifling home before celebrating avidly in front of the Green Devils fans
Although Tahvon Campbell - also playing against his former club - equalised in the second half, Matt Tootle had the final say with a drive past FGR goalkeeper Brad Collins, which meant the Slug celebration came out in all its glory.
Here is the reaction from Kevin Nolan, the Notts players, and the Black & White Army to the win in Gloucestershire.
Kevin Nolan
"I'm absolutely delighted and thought the win was well-deserved. The lads were magnificent and stuck to the gameplan brilliantly.
"We knew they would have a good go a us in the second half and they put us under a bit of pressure.
"Tahvon Campbell came on, scored a fantastic goal and then smashed one off the bar from 25 yards. A few weeks ago that would have hit Adam Collin on the back and gone in.
"We limited them to few chances and, if we upped our quality on the ball when we won possession back, we could have punished them a lot more."
Liam Noble
"We knew we had to back up the point we got at Cheltenham. That looks like a massive point now.
"It's a big three points but there are another nine cup finals to go and another 27 points to play for.
"It's a massive nine games but we are going to take them as they come.
"We have Mansfield next Saturday and everyone is looking forward to that. Hopefully we can get a full house and put in another strong performance."
The players on social media
 
 
 
 
The Black & White Army
Craig Spencer: Not long got back and the lads dug deep and what a hit from the ,SLUG got soaked first half but @@@@ it 3 massive points.
Dave Woolley: The win was the only important thing today. I didn’t fancy it too be honest. Just hope we can build on this now and get some real form back. Well done lads.
Marcus Brown: Phew! 1st one since Boxing Day, been a long wait. We now sit nicely in 3rd putting pressure on the teams below us again. Keep it up Notts!☺????
Jay Dalton: Still say we'll finish second said this pre season coyp Nolan's super notts black white army
Mick Jones: Excellent result just need to follow it up next Saturday with another 3 points.
Andrew Rayson: WELL DONE NOTTS...I’ve put this in capitals so that the “only praise allowed, ban criticism and honest opinions” brigade of plastic fans can clearly read this warranted praise.
Adrian Wheatley: Funny where have The Mansfield and Luton Town fans gone who have been commenting on here over the past weeks coyp
Shane Bostock: I hope those that were slagging noble off b4 kick off r happy now.
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Joe Jones

Liam Noble vows not to take foot off gas as he eyes Notts County first-team run

Liam Noble has vowed not to 'take his foot off the gas' following his contribution in Notts County's 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.
The former FGR captain opened the scoring at the New Lawn and celebrated vigorously in front of his former fans in the first half.
Although Tahvon Campbell - a former Magpies loanee - drew the hosts level, Matt Tootle slugged the ball into the back of the net to give Kevin Nolan's side all three points.
Noble has had to be patient in terms of game time following his return to Meadow Lane but is now eager to build on his start in Gloucestershire.
"We have a squad of players all fighting for the shirt and there will be a few lads who were disappointed not to play [on Saturday]," he told the official Notts site following the League Two win.
"They will be back at it next week when we come in to training and I am going to have to be, too. If I take my foot off the gas then I won't be in the squad, it is as simple as that.
"If I am off it, I am sure the likes of Steady, Shola or Smudge will say 'You have only had one good game, get on it'."
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Joe Jones

Match Highlights: Liam Noble celebrates in front of Forest Green fans and Matt Tootle gets his slug out

Notts County secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday to keep them third in the League Two table.
Liam Noble returned to haunt his former club, of which he was captain, with the opener for the Magpies after 34 minutes played at the New Lawn.
Lewis Alessandra was brought down in the FGR box but the referee opted to play the advantage, which resulted in Noble rifling home before celebrating avidly in front of the Green Devils fans
Although Tahvon Campbell - also playing against his former club - equalised in the second half, Matt Tootle had the final say with a drive past FGR goalkeeper Brad Collins, which meant the Slug celebration came out in all its glory.
Relive the key moments from the match with the official Notts County YouTube highlights, which we have shared here on Pride of Nottingham for you.
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Joe Jones

Notts Alumni: Donald Cock

Born in Hayle, Cornwall, on 8 July 1896, Donald Cock learned the footballing ropes with youth club Camborne Boys Brigade and then played for the football team of Gwynne's Foundry, a London engineering business.
The centre-forward hailed from a footballing family, being the younger brother of England international Jack Cock, while his other brother Herbert was also a footballer.
As a man born in the late 1800s, Cock was unfortunate to come of age when the Great War broke out, and so his footballing career - which began at Brentford - also saw him called up for duty.
According to Ancestry, Cock was a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, no. 13804.
The document reads: "He joined in August 1914, served on the Western Front at Arras, Neuve Chapelle, the Somme, Givenchy, Amiens, Armentieres, Ypres and Bullecourt, and was wounded three times. He was demobilised in 1919, and holds the 1914-15 Star, General Service and Victory Medals".
In 1919, Cock moved to Fulham and, in three seasons with the Second Division club, he averaged a goal every other game, and was the club's leading goalscorer in 1919–20 and 1920–21.

Cock then joined Notts County in October 1922 and played nearly 100 games in three seasons at Meadow Lane. Although he is seldom mentioned in the club's annals, he was the club's top scorer in 1922–23 and 1923–24, and helped the Magpies win the Second Division title in the former.
Cock's exploits with Notts - 32 goals in 85 games - saw Arsenal express an interest in the played, and he was signed by Leslie Knighton in March 1925, making his debut for the Gunners against Bolton Wanderers on 7 March 1925.
Unfortunately, in his next match, ironically against Notts County at Meadow Lane, his leg was broken by a strong tackle. He was out of action for five months and could not find favour under new manager Herbert Chapman.
Cock played just one more game for Arsenal before being sold to Clapton Orient for £1,500 in October 1925.

Cock regained his form at Orient, becoming top scorer for the Second Division side in 1925–26 and 1926–27 before finishing his career with brief stints at Wolves and Newport County in 1927.
He retired from professional football, aged 31, soon after, and died in 1974, aged 78, in Wolverhampton.
Cock's exploits with Notts County during the 1920s, top-scoring two seasons in a row and helping the Maggies to promotion, earn him a place in Pride of Nottingham's Notts Alumni hall of fame.
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan hails "well-deserved" Notts County win at Forest Green Rovers

Kevin Nolan is "absolutely delighted" with Notts County's 2-1 win at Forest Green Rovers and feels the victory was "well-deserved".
The Magpies had not won away since Boxing Day and it looked like Saturday's League Two game at the New Lawn was going to finish as a draw following goals from Liam Noble and Tahvon Campbell.
But County managed to claim all three points when Matt Tootle struck a late winner and kept the visitors third in the table, with their automatic promotion hopes still alive and kicking.
"I'm absolutely delighted and thought the win was well-deserved," Nolan told the official Notts site. "The lads were magnificent and stuck to the gameplan brilliantly.
"We knew they would have a good go a us in the second half and they put us under a bit of pressure.
"Tahvon Campbell came on, scored a fantastic goal and then smashed one off the bar from 25 yards.
"A few weeks ago that would have hit Adam Collin on the back and gone in.
"We limited them to few chances and, if we upped our quality on the ball when we won possession back, we could have punished them a lot more."
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Liam Noble helps Notts County defeat former club Forest Green Rovers

Notts County have claimed another vital three points in their quest to secure automatic promotion from League Two thanks to a 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn.
Former FGR captain Liam Noble, not very well liked at Nailsworth following his defection back to Meadow Lane last year, was true to the match script as he haunted his former club with the opening goal for the visitors.
The Magpies began brightly against a sloppy FGR backline, with Elliott Hewitt coming close early on when he saw his shot deflect across goal and just wide of the post.
Adam Collin then had to be alert to keep out a Reuben Reid effort on 20 minutes but the hosts' risky defensive ploy of passing the ball out from the back ended up costing them on 34 minutes.
Stead dispossed a defender on the edge of FGR's area and the ball made its way via Jorge Grant to Lewis Alessandra, who was brought down by goalkeeper Brad Collins.
As the ball broke free, the referee opted to play the advantage and it proved to be the right call as Noble was on hand to seize the loose ball and tap into the empty net.
The Magpies continued to launch attacks as Alessandra found the side-netting with a shot from a narrow angle and Stead curled a left-footed effort wide, but 1-0 is how it stayed at the break.
Mark Cooper's side was more with it after the restart as Chris Clements forced Collin into tipping a shot around the post before Gavin Gunning nodded over the subsequent corner.
Tahvon Campbell's introduction then helped Forest Green draw level as he was put through in the Magpies area and kept his composure as he fired into the roof of the net from a narrow angle.
Notts set about trying to get ahead again and duly found the winner when Alessandra played in Matt Tootle, who rifled the ball through a crowd of bodies and into the far corner before unleashing the famous "slug" celebration.
Matty Virtue then had a glorious chance to add a third for Notts after being put through by Grant but the Liverpool Under-23 captain's sidefooted effort could not beat Collins in the opposition net.
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Joe Jones

Haydn Hollis warns Forest Green Rovers: 'Notts County always score late goals'

Former Notts County defender Haydn Hollis has warned his Forest Green Rovers teammates not to switch off for a second in Saturday's League Two clash at the New Lawn as the Magpies "always score late goals".
The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Meadow Lane and made upwards of 100 appearances for Notts between 2011 and 2018, but was moved on by Kevin Nolan in January as he linked up with former boss Mark Cooper in Nailsworth.
Hollis was an unused substitute in the reverse fixture back in October as Notts fought back from a goal down to claim a last-gasp 1-1 draw thanks to Rob Milsom's 96th-minute leveller.
"I was on the bench that day and I thought Forest Green were probably one of the best teams I'd seen at Meadow Lane this season,” he told the official FGR website.
"From what I saw before to what I see now, we look a lot more solid and organised. We've brought players in that are a little bit different to what was here before.
"I think we can get something out of the game. I think we've proven that playing Coventry, Crawley, teams that are up and around them and we've been better than them.
"That comes down to us executing the job the manager puts out there so as players we can take a little bit of credit for that but the manager as well put a great game plan together against Crawley.
"[Notts] always score late goals. They've got a good set of lads there and a good self-belief. If you look back, they score lots of late goals and keep going and are mentally very good.
"Their strike force probably has 200 Premier league games each, they are very experienced and know how to play the game."
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Joe Jones

Scouting Report: Notts County must look to cause panic in Forest Green Rovers defence

Notts County head to the New Lawn on Saturday to face Forest Green Rovers as they hope to remain in the top three of League Two.
The Magpies leapfrogged Wycombe Wanderers to move into the automatic promotion slots with a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.
FGR will prove a stern test, however, as they have won their last five games on home turf to move seven points clear of the relegation zone.
What are Forest Green's strengths, who are their key players, what kind of tactics will they use, and how should Notts counter them? Pride of Nottingham's Chris takes a look in this Scouting Report.
Head to head
Notts County and Forest Green Rovers have met just twice in competitive action and the Green Devils have not beaten the Magpies yet.
The first game came in the third round of the FA Cup on 19 January 2010, and it ended in a 2-1 win for the Magpies at Meadow Lane.
This season is the first that both teams share the same league, and the reverse fixture on 7 October - also at the Lane - ended 1-1 with Rob Milsom scoring an injury-time leveller.
Saturday's game marks the first time that the Magpies head to FGR's home, the New Lawn Stadium.
Run-down of their last six features
Wednesday 31st January – Exeter City 2 Forest Green Rovers 0
Saturday 3rd February – Forest Green Rovers 2 Coventry City 1
Tuesday 13th February – Forest Green Rovers 3 Stevenage 1
Saturday 17th February – Morecambe 1 Forest Green Rovers 1
Saturday 24th February – Forest Green Rovers 2 Crawley Town 0
Tuesday 6th March – Newport County 3 Forest Green Rovers 3
The Players – Fact Sheet
Highest Goal Scorers: Christian Doidge 21, Reuben Reid 3, Reece Brown 3 and Lee Collins 2.
Persistent Foulers: Dale Bennett 7 yellow cards and 1 red card, Charlie Cooper 6 yellow cards and 1 red card, Lee Collins 5 yellow cards
The Key Players
Christian Doidge is a powerhouse who has a natural threat on goal, his crisp and calm finishing is lethal within League Two and the striker is extremely confident with moving forward with the ball showing no fear to shoot from distance.
Reece Brown is also very influential in midfield, offering pace and skill when taking on the opposition players.
Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Forest Green’s form has largely improved since we last met at Meadow Lane and so have their performances.
On the ball they look to get forward by moving the ball around well, whilst coming back at times when no more ground can be gained via attacking directly.
They also lump the ball quite a fair bit, especially when under pressure but are very content on the ball on the ground.
In defence, the Green Devils can be quite sloppy and despite retaining organisation at the back – they fail to remain alert to danger.
Opposition teams usually maximise their chances by the chaos caused by the FGR defence's panicking.
Games do remain quite open even when they seem strong in possession, as they invite too much pressure on themselves by disconnected play.
Their main threat is by their ability to work the ball well in tight areas, as they have several players capable of delivering useful balls, which teams tend to find difficult to attack – it’s clear that Forest Green practice within their training how to deliver balls against their counterparts.
For Notts our midfield will need to be patient and careful when building, they’ll have to work hard and present creative chances for any opportunities to fall our way.
Ensuring that the FGR defence are constantly troubled will create chances for the Magpies and set pieces seems something which we might be able to make use of.
Overall Kevin Nolan shouldn’t get players to commit too deep, yet there must be a finer balance within the centre of the park – as the team that controls the game via the middle will get on top of the game.
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Chris

Stat Attack: Notts County prepare for first ever trip to Forest Green Rovers

Head to head
Notts County and Forest Green Rovers have met just twice in competitive action and the Green Devils have not beaten the Magpies yet.
The first game came in the third round of the FA Cup on 19 January 2010, and it ended in a 2-1 win for the Magpies at Meadow Lane.
This season is the first that both teams share the same league, and the reverse fixture - also at the Lane - ended 1-1 with Rob Milsom scoring an injury-time leveller.
Saturday's game marks the first time that the Magpies head to FGR's home, the New Lawn Stadium.
Stats and trivia
Forest Green have gone five games without losing in League Two; they are yet to go six without defeat since joining the competition.
Notts County are winless in six away games in all competitions and have won just two of their last 16 on their travels.
Forest Green, who came back from a 3-2 half-time deficit to draw 3-3 away at Newport in midweek, have recovered 17 points from losing position in League Two this season, the most of any side in the competition.
Notts legend Lee Hughes spent the 2014-15 season at Forest Green, scoring 15 goals in 42 games.
Liam Noble's two spells at Notts came either side of a spell at FGR, while ex-loanee Drissa Traore also spent time at the New Lawn.
Former Magpies manager Mark Cooper is currently at the helm of the Green Devils, while former Notts defender Haydn Hollis now plies his trade there.
Opposition history
Forest Green Rovers were founded in October 1889 by Reverend E. J. H. Peach, the local Nonconformist church minister, representing the Forest Green area of Nailsworth in Gloucestershire.
The name Rovers was adopted in 1893, and the following year the club were founder members of the Mid-Gloucestershire League, the first association football league in the county outside Bristol.
After the league folded in 1902, Forest Green become members of the newly formed Stroud League and also members of the Dursley and District League which they won in 1903, the club's first silverware.
After a break for the First World War, Rovers enjoyed a period of great success winning two football leagues and three cups in both 1921 and 1922.
They then joined the newly formed Gloucestershire Northern Senior League with Cheltenham Town among others in 1922.
Rovers joined the newly formed County League in 1968 and played under manager Peter Goring for the next 11 years, moving up again to the Hellenic League in 1975 under his stewardship.
In 1982, Rovers achieved fame at Wembley winning the FA Vase 3-1 and at the same time winning the Hellenic League and moving into the Southern League Midland Division.
Seven years later a struggling Rovers outfit was renamed Stroud FC but this alienated a lot of people connected with the club, until the arrival of Trevor Horsley in 1992 saw the name changed back to Forest Green Rovers.
After finishing eighth in the Southern Division under Frank Gregan in 1995–96, they won the division the following season, earning promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League.
The 1997–98 season then saw FGR them win the Southern League Premier Division, securing a second successive promotion and entry to the Football Conference.
FGR finished in the relegation zone in 2005 and 2010, but both times were handed a reprieve when Northwich Victoria and then Salisbury City were demoted for non-footballing reasons.
The club was then taken over by Ecotricity owner Dale Vince, at which point the team improved until finally sealing promotion into the Football League last season.
Team news
Forest Green top scorer Christian Doidge limped out of Tuesday night's 3-3 draw with Newport with an ankle injury and is a doubt for Saturday's game.
Notts, meanwhile, are still without Ross Fitzsimmons, who escaped from a car crash on Monday unhurt but is going through the head injury protocol.
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Joe Jones

Notts County chairman Alan Hardy looking to develop area around Meadow Lane

Alan Hardy has revealed that he is looking into the possibility of building a hotel or apartment block next to Meadow Lane.
The Notts County chairman has identified wasteland next to the Kop end as a potential spot upon which to build property and in turn reinvest in the club.
One potential source of inspiration is the apartment block next to Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium, where residents have a balcony with a view overlooking the pitch.
Another option which has been mentioned is that of redeveloping the entire Kop stand to incorporate flats or hotel rooms - any plans would need to be submitted to Nottingham City Council before any work could happen.
“We’re talking about how best to leverage that area, whether it’s a hotel, residential or retail, and working with some architects on a masterplan," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
“We’ll use that money to help fund a new training ground complex, which we’re in negotiations about at the moment.
“We’re talking to a couple of hotel chains and seeing what could be possible. One of the things that’s on the drawing board is whether we demolish the existing Kop stand and replace it with something that’s modern.
“The seating section would be an integral part but the upper levels above could be conference rooms and restaurants, and then higher up could be apartments or hotel rooms.
“We’d have to make sure it’s viable but also that it would have long-term benefits for the security of Notts County.
“I was down at Leyton Orient at the end of last season and they’ve got apartments in the corner overlooking the pitch.
“A lot of clubs in League One and League Two don’t tend to be owned by foreign multi-billionaires, but by reasonably successful businessmen and women.
“So they either have to use their own personal wealth to prop the club up or have to find a commercial proposition to assist them on the way.
“Orient have done a great job in developing the area around the ground and we might look to do something similar.
“It might be that we put apartments there and rent them so the club will have a bankroll of money coming in every month.”
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Joe Jones

Terry Hawkridge: 'I wouldn't take League Two playoff spot if offered now'

Terry Hawkridge has admitted that he would not accept a League Two playoff spot now were he offered it and would rather go all out for automatic promotion.
Notts County were in the top three of the division for a large chunk of the season and, even though they slipped out, they sit third going into Saturday's game at Forest Green Rovers.
There are 10 games left for the Magpies to re-cement their position in the top three and Hawkridge is eager for his side to come out on top in the games against several of their fellow promotion chasers.
“If you offered me a playoff spot now I wouldn’t take it,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“The lads were saying that we have worked so hard this year, we don’t want to let it slip at the last hurdle.
“We all still think we can get in there (top three) as it’s still very tight. We’ve got to keep winning and hope that other teams fall away I guess.
“We’ve got Wycombe, Mansfield, Accrington and Luton all to come which are big games. But it is the likes of Forest Green away that are just as important.
“It’s so tight and that’s the good thing. If we win all our games we could finish top, but I just think we have to concentrate on each game as it comes.”
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan "starting to count" refereeing decisions going against Notts County

Kevin Nolan has expressed his displeasure with the number of key refereeing decisions that have gone against Notts County this season.
The Magpies boss was angry after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town when Jon Stead was clearly brought down by goalkeeper Scott Flinders but not awarded a penalty.
Nolan showed his anger by refusing to shake referee Graham Horwood’s hand post-match as the Magpies were forced to settle for a point.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, but I am starting to count the decisions that we should have had and, over the course of the season, it must be about five or six now,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“They were all at important times too. If you look at Tuesday if we get a goal and they are down to 10 men then what more could Gary Johnson (Cheltenham manager) have done?
“While I was delighted with the point, I was gutted that I was talking about referees.
“I thought the performance deserved much more than what they got and that’s because it was snatched away from them.
“One because of referees and secondly because of poor finishing on our behalf.
“But they are getting those opportunities and they are getting there. If we keep doing that, then we will start putting the ball in the back of the net.”
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan: 'Notts County must respect Forest Green Rovers'

Kevin Nolan has stressed that Notts County must respect a Forest Green Rovers side who can "beat anyone on their day" ahead of their League Two encounter this weekend.
The Magpies travel to The New Lawn on Saturday to face a FGR outfit that have won their last five home outings and moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.
"Forest Green have been fantastic at home since the turn of the year and can beat anyone on their day," Nolan told the official Notts site of the opposition, managed by former boss Mark Cooper.
"We're well aware that we have to go there, respect them and earn a result.
"Mark has recruited really well and has done a fantastic job getting them up last year and making it seem so simple to stay in the league this year.
"They are a strong side and play good football with two fantastic strikers in Christian Doidge and Reuben Reid so it won't be an easy one.
"But if we turn up and do what we need to do we can come away with another positive result."
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Joe Jones

Notts County legend Steve Cherry to release autobiography - and he wants YOUR help!

Legendary Notts County goalkeeper Steve Cherry has announced that he is currently in the process of writing his autobiography and has asked fans to send in pictures of him in action on the pitch.
The 57-year-old, who played for the Magpies between 1988 and 1995, made more than 500 professional appearances during an illustrious career which spanned four decades.
Cherry was part of the Notts team which rose from the Third Division to the First in just three years and starred in both successful playoffs to get there, as well as the superb FA Cup win over Manchester City.
Speaking exclusively to Pride of Nottingham, Cherry confirmed that the title of the book will be Cherry Picking: Life between the Sticks.
Cherry, who will be writing the book alongside writer Jonathan Nicholas, said: "I've had my thoughts on writing a book for years.
"I've had ups and down and travelled the world - too many memories not to share. There are things in my career that people don't know about and might shock a few!"
To contribute your action photos of Cherry which could feature in his autobiography, estimated to be released in August, please send them to [email protected] - we will liaise directly with him.
Find out more about Steve Cherry's formative years and footballing career with Pride of Nottingham's Notts Alumni feature!
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan: 'Terry Hawkridge had to bide his time and has worked hard'

Kevin Nolan was left pleased with Terry Hawkridge's goal in Notts County's draw at Cheltenham Town and hailed the winger's perseverence in biding his time and seizing his first-team chance.
The former Lincoln City man has seen little game action in recent weeks but made the starting XI at Whaddon Road and repaid his manager's faith with his side's goal.
"It's been while for him and Terry has had to bide his time because of the quality we have in the squad," Nolan told the Nottingham Post after the game, which finished 1-1 after Joe Morrell levelled for the hosts.
"He has worked hard and played fantastically well against Stevenage last week and he has put another great performance in tonight.
"It was a fantastic finish and a fantastic goal but unfortunately we couldn't add to it with the fantastic chances we created."
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Joe Jones

League Two news roundup: 1-8 March 2018

What's been happening in League Two over the last week?
Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days.
- 10 games in League Two, including Notts County's trip to Cheltenham Town, were postponed as a result of the blizzard-like conditions.
- Mansfield Town named David Flitcroft as their new manager following the departure of Steve Evans.
- Sol Campbell said he was waiting to hear back from Grimsby Town about their managerial vacancy.
- Unfortunately for Sol, Grimsby ended up appointing former Burnley Under-23 boss Michael Jolley as their new manager on a rolling contract.
- Crewe Alexandra defender Eddie Nolan triggered a one-year contract extension at Gresty Road until the end of the 2018-19 season.
- Also relating to Crewe, the club restated their position that nobody at the club was aware of Barry Bennell's abuse of young players until their former youth coach was convicted of sexual assault in Florida in 1994.
- Yeovil Town midfielder Jake Gray will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury - he had to have surgery after rupturing ankle ligaments in the Glovers' 1-0 defeat by Carlisle on 24 February.
- Newport County manager Mike Flynn says he is "quietly excited" about the prospect of a new deal with captain Joss Labadie.
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan delighted with Michael O'Connor rehabilitation attitude

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has hailed Michael O'Connor's attitude in his rehabilitation and comeback from a serious knee injury.
The club captain needed surgery to repair his cruciate ligament and his meniscus following a blow suffered in last April's 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth at Meadow Lane.
However, O'Connor has made a return to full training and played 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Scunthorpe United on Monday.
Magpies boss Nolan has been delighted at how the Northern Irishman has acquitted himself in his comeback and says he is already well ahead of schedule.
“Michael played in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Scunthorpe which a few of the lads who haven’t played recently were also involved in,” he told the Nottingham Post. “We want those players ready for the games coming up in case of injury.
“Occy got 45 minutes in and he’s been absolutely fantastic in his work ethic. It is a testament to himself and the medical staff in how they have handled his return. He’s way ahead of schedule, but we won’t push him too hard, too soon.
“He’s on a plan and I am hoping he comes through that unscathed without suffering any fresh injuries. That’s always the worry when you’ve been out for such a long time.
“But over the last week he has been involved in full-contact training and I must admit he’s got focus and a determination to come back fitter and stronger.
“He’s worked so hard and tirelessly and I am hoping this is the next step in getting a black and white shirt on before the end of the season. This month may be too soon, but, again, there is no pressure on him.”
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Joe Jones

Match Highlights: Did Jon Stead deserve a penalty against Cheltenham Town?

Notts County have moved into the top three of the League Two table thanks to a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.
Terry Hawridge was set up by Jon Stead for the opening goal of the night in the 42nd minute as Kevin Nolan's side led 1-0 at the break.
They also had strong claims for a penalty waved away by referee Graham Horwood in the 17th minute when Stead was brought down by Scott Flinders.
However, the Robins drew level through Joe Morrell's low shot from 25 yards deflecting off Ben Hall and beating the outstretched hand of Adam Collin on 67 minutes.
In the latter stages, Brian Graham was denied by goalkeeper Adam Collin and Mohamed Eisa came close with a free kick in the 85th minute, but Notts held firm for a share of the spoils.
Notts County have put up the official highlights - here they are should you wish to see them again.
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Joe Jones

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