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Joe Jones
New Notts County striker Kristian Dennis has expressed his desire to be at the right end of the League Two table this season after back-to-back relegations with Chesterfield.
The 28-year-old joined the Magpies last week in a deal thought to have cost the club £150,000.
Dennis scored 21 goals last season but could not prevent the Spireites from dropping out of the Football League and is eager to make up for it by winning promotion with Notts.
“I came back into the league with Chesterfield and had two relegations so that’s the last thing I want on my mind,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“I want to be at the opposite end of the table and right up there vying for promotion.
“I know Notts finished fifth last season and hopefully we can go one better, get automatic and get up into League One.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County have announced the signing of Manchester City academy midfielder Will Patching once his contract at the Etihad expires on July 1.
The 19-year-old, who has been with the Premier League champions since the under-six age group, has agreed a two-year deal at Meadow Lane.
“I’ve never had an experience like this before,” Patching told the official Notts site. “I’m looking forward to it.
“I love having the ball at my feet and I can chip in with assists and like scoring goals, but I can play in a deeper holding position as well. I enjoy set pieces, too. I do a lot of work on them so hopefully I can score a few here.
“I can’t wait to work under Kevin Nolan. He’s got good attributes as a manager and he played in my position, so he can help me with a lot of things I need to work on. Hopefully I can go on to have a career like his.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County owner Alan Hardy has stressed how important it was to give "an early statement of intent" to the league by moving early to bring in big signings.
The club chairman acknowledges that, two weeks ago, the Magpies were left reeling by their playoff defeat to Coventry City.
Moving on from that, Hardy spoke of showing the world that Notts "would be far from a wounded animal next season", ergo the arrivals of the likes of Kristian Dennis, Kane Hemmings, Andy Kellett and Tom Crawford.
"Let’s rewind a fortnight," Hardy wrote in the Nottingham Post. "The final whistle has just blown at Meadow Lane and our play-offs campaign has been curtailed in the cruelest way possible.
"The mood around the club is probably the worst it’s been since Kevin Nolan and I arrived. Our whole season has been undone by abysmal decisions from not one, but two separate sets of officials and it’s hard, right now, to look ahead with much excitement or optimism.
"Now, fast forward to the present day. We’ve just announced four superb new signings, seen two of our brightest prospects commit their future to us and confirmed pre-season friendlies against Leicester City and Derby County.
"The atmosphere behind the scenes is the best it’s been in recent years and everyone, players, staff and supporters, can’t wait for the new campaign to come around.
"I must take this opportunity to praise the tireless work of our football operations director, Jason Turner, who has been instrumental in all the above.
"Jason’s knowledge and passion for the industry are vital to us and he, along with several other members of staff, worked around the clock this week to help deliver all the brilliant news we have been delighted to share.
"It was crucial we gave an early statement of intent, not only to our supporters but also to the football world to show them we would be far from a wounded animal next season.
"We had our targets, we worked out a plan and we nailed it."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have added a fourth player to their ranks this week in the shape of Kane Hemmings, who joins from Oxford United on a three-year deal for a reported fee of around £100,000.
The Magpies have already snapped up Tom Crawford, Kristian Dennis and Andy Kellett, and now they have secured the signature of a player who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Mansfield Town last term.
Hemmings will be familiar to Notts fans, having scored a 99th-minute penalty in a 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane in March.
“I’m over the moon,” the Burton-upon-Trent lad told the official Notts site. “This is a club that wants to go places, and I want to go there with them.
“Being a local lad and having heard the plans the manager and chairman have for the club, it’s an opportunity I couldn’t really turn down.
“As soon as the offer came in I was convinced straightaway. It’s a perfect match and I’m delighted to get it done.
“I like to get on the ball and be in and around the box, getting shots away and linking up with team-mates.
“Hopefully the fans will see an exciting player who scores a goal or two and is a big influence on the team.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County assistant manager Richard Thomas is confident that Kristian Dennis's arrival at Meadow Lane means "a lot more goals walking through the door".
The Magpies had a bid rejected for the forward on Tuesday, but followed it up with an improved offer believed to be £150,000 which was enough to seal the deal.
Dennis, who scored 21 goals for the relegated Spireites, has signed a three-year contract at Meadow Lane in the club's biggest spend since the arrival of Izale McLeod from Crawley Town in 2015.
“Kristian brings goals – and that’s what everybody’s craving,” Thomas told the Nottingham Post. “It’s the hardest thing in the game to do, but he does it very successfully.
“He’s a threat in and around the box – that’s where he’ll do most of his work. He’s a very good signing and hopefully it’s a lot more goals walking through the door.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County have announced the double signing of Chesterfield striker Kristian Dennis and his former loan teammate, left-back Andy Kellett, who joins from Wigan Athletic.
Dennis, 28, scored 21 goals for the Spireites last season, an impressive return which however could not keep the Derbyshire club in League Two, and joins for an undisclosed fee.
Kellett, meanwhile, was on loan at the Proact Stadium last term but arrives at Meadow Lane after having been released by the Championship-bound Latics.
“I’m aiming for more (goals), to be honest,” Dennis, who penned a three-year deal, told the official site. “Hopefully, playing in a team that’s challenging for promotion, I’ll get 25 - if not more.
“I like to work hard, get hold of the ball and make runs in behind – and to put the ball in the net, which is what I’m paid to do. I back myself on either foot when I’ve got a shot on goal.”
Kellett said: “I spoke with the manager about a week ago and wanted to come here straightaway.
“I know how passionate he is from when I was coming through as a young lad at Bolton. He was someone I looked up to. He was a leader on the pitch and I’m sure he’ll try and get the best out of me.
“I like to think I’m quite exciting – I like to run with the ball and counter-attack.
“I grew up as a left back, played as a wing back at Plymouth and when I signed for Wigan they saw me more as an attack-minded player. I think that’s where my preferred position is.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County have announced the signing of teenage Chester FC midfielder Tom Crawford for an undisclosed fee.
The 19-year-old, who celebrated his birthday today, made 17 appearances for the Blues and was deemed one of the bright lights in a poor season which saw the team relegated from the National League.
Crawford, who made his England C debut against the Republic of Ireland amateur side on Sunday, was believed to be on the radar of several sides in the Championship and League One but opted for the Magpies.
“What a day. It’s a great birthday present to sign at Meadow Lane and I just can’t wait to get started," he told the official Notts site.
“I loved every minute of my time at Chester and I was disappointed we went down. But, for me personally, to get into the team and play 17 games and score a goal was a big achievement.
“The bigger the crowd, the better for me. I just can’t wait to get out there and play in front of thousands of people.
“I thrive off that sort of stuff – I love the atmosphere and want more of it. I’ll be working my socks off between now and pre-season to be fitter than ever before.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons and defender Pierce Bird have signed new deals at Meadow Lane.
The pair have put pen to paper on extensions that will run until the end of the 2019-20 season.
Fitzsimons played 20 games for the Magpies last season, getting an extended run after now-released Adam Collin suffered an injury.
However, he lost his place in the team after being sent off in a 2-1 defeat to Crawley Town for lashing out at an opposition player.
“At the time [of the Crawley incident] I completely saw red,” Fitzsimons told the official site. “I just didn’t process it in my mind.
“I’m not generally like that – everyone has moments when they act before they think, and unfortunately that was mine.
“After that, I didn’t really have a case to go into the manager’s office and ask why I wasn’t playing because Adam came back in and was outstanding for us.
“The main aim for me now is to come back and try and claim the number-one shirt – and hopefully help the team to top end of the table come the end of next season.
“I was over the moon to hear the manager and his staff wanted to keep me on for an extended period.”
Bird, meanwhile, joined Notts last summer from non-league Dunkirk and made one appearance for the Magpies in a EFL Trophy defeat to Lincoln City.
“From this time last year, a lot of things have changed,” the 19-year-old said.
“I’ve been out on loan [to Alfreton and Leek], so I picked up a good amount of gametime, and hopefully now I’ll kick on into pre-season and see where that takes me from there.
“I’m looking to be around the first team and in the matchday squads more than last year. It would be a dream come true to break into the first team and get 10-15 games under my belt.”
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has given Notts County goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons a big vote of confidence, saying he will be "worth a large sum of money" in a few years' time.
The 23-year-old has been offered a new contract by the Magpies and, should he sign it, is likely to become Adam Collin's successor after the former number one was released by the club.
Fitzsimons did well in deputising for Collin last season but lost his place in January after lashing out at Crawley Town player Mark Connolly to earn a red card and give the opposition a penalty which was converted.
“Ross was outstanding in the games he played,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
“If it wasn’t for the sending off against Crawley when we played them at Meadow Lane, then he would have probably retained his place throughout the rest of the season.
“Ross is a fantastic prospect for the future, and we believe in three years’ time, he will be worth a large sum of money.
“He is a very talented young goalkeeper.”
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has admitted that Notts County are hoping to re-sign Ben Hall on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion next season.
The former Motherwell defender played 11 games for Kevin Nolan’s side in 2017-18, after joining on a deadline day loan in January.
Brighton have high hopes for the Northern Ireland under-21 international and awarded him a new contract back in April, but he is expected to go back out on loan in 2018-19.
“It would be great if we could bring Ben Hall back to the club,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
“We’ve had some discussions about him as he was excellent in the games he played during his time on loan with us.
"That’s something we are looking at.”
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has paid tribute to the players released by Notts County this week and pledged to build for "another season to remember".
The Magpies finished fifth in League Two last season and took on Coventry City in the playoff semi-finals.
It didn't go to plan, however, as Notts lost 5-2 on aggregate, and although Hardy was left with resentment over the unjust refereeing decisions, he will look ahead to the 2018-19 campaign.
"When you get that close to tasting success, it summons a deep-seated passion to go one better and that will be our aim next season," Hardy wrote in the Nottingham Post.
"We have a fantastic manager, we have a squad who have forged a tremendous spirit, and we have you - the supporters.
"Your incredible backing throughout the course of the campaign both home and away was outstanding.
"It is a real source of motivation, and I am determined to ensure it is rewarded with a magical season which I hope will make up for the anguish of last week.
"We have already started our battle plan for next season and this week we unveiled our retained list.
"It is always an exceptionally difficult time because you have to say goodbye to players who you have got to know, respect and admire.
"You see them on a daily basis, you see how hard they work, and you appreciate everything they have given to the cause.
"To then say goodbye is extremely difficult, and I would suspect that any manager will tell you, it’s probably one of the hardest jobs they have to do.
"I would like to place on record my thanks to those players who have departed us this week.
"They all played their part and I would have dearly loved for them all to have gone out on the high of securing promotion under the Wembley arch.
"Now, though, it is a time to look ahead to the new season knowing we have a core group already at the football club that I am sure will be determined to march us to glory.
"It is going to be another busy summer when we look to supplement the squad with quality over quantity in our bid to reach our destination.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of giving you another season to remember.
"Hopefully this time it will end in perfect fashion knowing the events of last week was just a brief pit-stop of disappointment in our continued journey towards success."
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Joe Jones
Jorge Grant says he has "improved so much as a player and as a person" following his loan spell at Notts County.
The Nottingham Forest attacker has enjoyed two bright loan spells at Meadow Lane, in the second half of the 2016-17 campaign and the entirery of last season.
With County's 2017-18 campaign now over, Grant has returned over the Trent but posted some kind comments about the club and the fans.
“Big thanks to everyone at Notts County for the last 18 months,” the 23-year-old wrote on Twitter.
“Improved so much as a player and as a person! Sad to say goodbye to everyone today.
“Thanks to everyone behind the scenes and the fans for all the love and hate. It honestly has been a pleasure.”
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Joe Jones
Matt Tootle has stressed that he "wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else" after he committed his future to Notts County until 2020.
The Magpies defender, who was voted the Fans' Player of the Year, was rewarded for his endeavours after the club unveiled their retained list on Tuesday.
Writing on his Twitter account, Tootle said: “Absolutely delighted to have signed a new two-year deal at Notts.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else it’s been an amazing year which ended on a sour note. Can’t wait for next year already.”
Chairman Alan Hardy added: “He is a fantastic ambassador for Notts County.
“He’s had a great season and was rightly chosen by the fans as player of the year.
“He was part of a fantastic back-four that had the third best defensive record in the league.
“Matt is tremendously committed to the cause and produced some excellent performances throughout the campaign.
“I am delighted he has signed up for the next two years.”
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Joe Jones
Shola Ameobi, Rob Milsom, Adam Collin, Carl Dickinson and Jonathan Forte are among the players who will not be at Notts County next season as the club published their end-of-season retained list.
All the players met with manager Kevin Nolan on Tuesday and a total of 11 senior players have been axed ahead of the new campaign.
Meanwhile, Fans' Player of the Season Matt Tootle has penned a new deal at the club which will take him to 2020, while another six who were due to be out of contract have been offered extensions.
"I can't thank the lads enough for their committed efforts in my first full season here at Notts County" Nolan told the official website.
"These decisions are some of the hardest, if not the hardest, we make as a management team and it's never an easy time for everyone involved.
"I would like to put on record my thanks to all of the players who are moving on and wish them all the best for their future."
Chairman and owner Alan Hardy added: "On behalf of the club we would like to thank all the players for their efforts this season, and for those players leaving us we wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
"I'm very confident in the decisions we have made and that we will have the start of a squad which is capable of continuing with the progress this club has made in the past 16 months."
Here is Notts County's retained list following the conclusion of the 2017/18 League Two campaign.
Under contract
Lewis Alessandra
Shaun Brisley
Terry Hawkridge
Elliott Hewitt
Noor Husin
Liam Noble
Jon Stead
Matt Tootle
Out of contract, offered new contract
Pierce Bird
Richard Duffy
Ross Fitzsimons
Dan Jones
Michael O'Connor
Branislav Pindroch
Out of contract, released
Shola Ameobi
Adam Collin
Carl Dickinson
Mike Edwards
Jonathan Forte
Elliot Hodge
Nicky Hunt
Rob Milsom
Callum Saunders
Alan Smith
Curtis Thompson
Loans expired
Mason Bennett
Jorge Grant
Ben Hall
Matty Virtue
Apprentices offered development contracts
Harry Bugg
Remaye Campbell
Declan Dunn
Alex Howes
Sam Osborne
Apprentices released
Dominic Brown-Hill
Peter Dearle
Ryan Ebanks
Curtis Hall
Jordon Richards
Joe Searson-Smithard
Edwin Towers
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Joe Jones
Notts County are set to launch a new senior women's team, just over a year after the previous incarnation, Notts County Ladies, was folded.
Magpies owner Alan Hardy "called time" on efforts to save the Women's Super League 1 side in April 2017 when faced by debts of around £500,000, and folded just before the season started.
The Lady Pies had been moved from Lincoln to Nottingham and got to the FA Cup Women's Final in 2015, but Hardy stressed that "the numbers simply (did) not stack up; continuing would have been little short of financial suicide."
However, a new side called Notts County Women emerged on Twitter last weekend and announced that player trials would be held with a view to the team playing competitive football in 2018-19.
"We will be basement level working our way," Hardy told BBC Sport.
"I always said that I would relaunch it at some point in the future when the foundations were right and more importantly there was a pathway in place.
"We have built from the Under-8s to the Under-14s and the next logical step was a senior team.
"We understand that we may need to start at the bottom and work through the leagues. In five years we want to be at WSL 2 level, and that is a realistic ambition."
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