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Joe Jones
Notts County's regular League Two season has ended with a goalless draw against Luton Town at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
The Magpies, who had sealed a playoff place but could not go any higher than third following the loss to Grimsby Town, played out a bright game against their promoted opponents.
Neither side could break the deadlock, however, in a game that had an end-of-season team and with neither side having anything much to play for, except for where Notts would finish in the playoff positions.
As it was, Kevin Nolan's charges finished fifth in the table and would find themselves up against sixth-placed Coventry City - the side that beat them 3-0 in the season opener - in the semi-finals.
Here is how the game panned out, with Notts County's official YouTube match highlights.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have secured fifth place in League Two and will face Coventry City in the playoffs following their goalless draw with Luton Town at Meadow Lane.
Backed by more than 4,000 fans, the promoted Hatters looked lively early on with Olly Lee forcing Magpies goalkeeper Adam Collin into action with a powerful 20-yard drive.
Jack Stacey then nearly rounded off a fine move when he drilled a low shot across the face of goal following a deft delivery from Elliott Lee.
Michael O'Connor, captaining the Magpies from the off for the first time in over a year, found himself on the edge of the box but his floated cross to the far post drifted harmlessly wide.
Jon Stead, meanwhile, had a shot deflected behind for a corner while Luton goalkeeper James Shea also saved from Jorge Grant.
The Magpies' hopes of a victory then appeared to be boosted early in the second half when Danny Hylton picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Shaun Brisley.
However, Nathan Jones's charges continued to push on, Stacey again coming close following a fine counter attack by the visitors.
Late on, only a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Matt Tootle denied Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu from making the breakthrough at the expense of a corner.
Notts were handed the chance to win the game during four minutes of added time when Lewis Alessandra was brought down just outside the box by Alan Sheehan.
However, Jorge Grant could only send the ball over the bar as the regular reason ended for Notts, while Luton would be waving goodbye to League Two come the final whistle.
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has given his thoughts on the upcoming League Two playoffs, which will see Notts County three games and a trip to Wembley away from promotion.
The Magpies play their last game of the regular season today, hosting already-promoted Luton Town for the chance to finish as high in the fourth-to-seventh mini-table as possible.
"Ever since we cemented our place in the play-offs, the excitement which comes attached with such an achievement has been entirely understandable," Hardy wrote in the Nottingham Post.
"You can’t blame anybody for getting carried away about dreaming of playing at Wembley, where you hope all the hard work over the course of the season is rewarded with promotion.
"We still don’t know who we’re going to play in the semi-finals and that will only be determined once we play our final game of the regular season against Luton this weekend.
"Victory in front of a bumper crowd at Meadow Lane would give us an incredible lift going into the play-offs but it will be tough because Luton are arguably the most entertaining team in the division.
"But despite losing to Grimsby, I am sure we will go out there full of confidence given how good training has been this week.
"I suspect the manager will make a few changes in what I am sure will be a very open and entertaining game of football.
"It wouldn’t surprise me if it finished 5-5 but what we desire most is a result and performance that gives us momentum going into the play-offs.
"Anything can happen in those games and I maintain that what has happened in the previous nine months counts for nothing.
"The players and manager have done a fantastic job this season. I’ve enjoyed it and I am sure the fans have too.
"All we need is one final push to get us over the line, making the tantalising prospect of a day out at Wembley a wonderful reality."
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Joe Jones
Head to head
Notts County and Luton Town have faced off 71 times in their history.
The first meeting came in January 1912 when the Magpies secured a 4-2 away win in the FA Cup.
The last one was in December, a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.
Luton dominate the head-to-head with 35 wins over Notts, 21 draws and 15 defeats.
The Magpies have lost only once in their last five home league meetings with Luton, a 2-0 reverse in March 2009.
The Hatters are unbeaten in the last three league clashes between these two sides since losing both meetings in the 2015-16 campaign.
Stats
A win for Notts will see the Magpies finish on 79 points, their highest points tally since winning the League Two title with 93 points back in 2009-10.
Luton have won nine league games by three or more goals this season, more than any other side in League Two.
Danny Hylton has been directly involved in seven goals in his last seven games for the Hatters in League Two (six goals, one assist).
History
Luton Town Football Club was formed on 11 April 1885, the product of a merger of the two leading local teams, Luton Town Wanderers and Excelsior.
The club was the first in southern England to turn professional, making payments to players as early as 1890 and turning fully professional a year later.
It joined the Football League before the 1897–98 season, left in 1900 because of financial problems, and rejoined in 1920.
Luton reached the First Division in 1955–56 and contested a major final for the first time when playing Nottingham Forest in the 1959 FA Cup Final.
The team was then relegated from the top division in 1959–60, and demoted twice more in the following five years, playing in the Fourth Division from the 1965–66 season.
However, it was promoted back to the top level by 1974–75.
Luton Town's most recent successful period began in 1981–82, when the club won the Second Division and gained promotion to the First.
Luton defeated Arsenal 3–2 in the 1988 Football League Cup Final and remained in the First Division until relegation at the end of the 1991–92 season.
Between 2007 and 2009, financial difficulties caused the club to fall from the second tier of English football to the fifth in successive seasons.
The last of these relegations came during the 2008–09 season, when 30 points were docked from Luton's tally for various financial irregularities.
Luton then spent five seasons in non-League football before winning the Conference Premier in 2013–14, securing promotion back into the Football League.
The club's nickname, "the Hatters", reflects Luton's historical connection with the hat making trade, which has been prominent there since the 1600s.
The nickname was originally a variant on the now rarely seen straw-plaiters. Supporters of the club are also called Hatters.
Luton is associated with two very different colour schemes - white and black (first permanently adopted in 1920), and orange, navy and white (first used in 1973, and worn by the team as of the 2015–16 season).
Team news
Notts go into their final game of the regular season guaranteed a top-seven finish as they hope to join the Hatters in League One next season, and Kevin Nolan is mulling over which players to use for the game.
Leading scorer Jorge Grant is fit again after an ankle injury but might only be on the bench again on Saturday, as he was for the defeat at Grimsby last weekend, if Nolan opts to rest his stars.
Defender Matt Tootle, meanwhile, should have recovered from illness.
Promoted Luton could have Scott Cuthbert back in their starting line-up at Meadow Lane.
Hatters boss Nathan Jones has picked an unchanged side for the last four games but might decide to freshen up his team for the final match of the campaign.
Cuthbert has recovered from a groin injury and made his return to action as a late substitute against Forest Green last weekend.
Luke Gambin and James Justin might also come into Jones' thoughts but Lawson D'Ath (knee) remains a serious doubt and Luke Berry (fractured leg and dislocated ankle) is out.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has admitted that letting Liam Walker leave Notts County was a tough decision but could not stand in his way after being given an opportunity to play elsewhere.
The Gibraltar international left Meadow Lane on Monday having had his contract terminated by mutual consent, having made just 19 appearances this season and failing to make the squad altogether in recent weeks.
"Liam got given an opportunity to go elsewhere," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "He rang the club and asked if he could go to pastures new and I didn’t want to stand in the lad’s way.
"He’s been a fantastic pro and just didn’t get the opportunities he would have liked and that’s because I thought there were players ahead of him in the team.
"He’s got great quality and I know wherever he goes he’ll do well because of the way he is.
"I didn’t want to take that opportunity away from him because football’s a funny world and in two weeks’ time that opportunity might not have been there for him.
"I had to make a tough decision and I think is for the best for Liam and for us moving forward.
"I don’t know all the ins and outs of where he’s heading next, but I said for as long as he is here then he is more than welcome to come and use the facilities, and if he needs to train.
"We can either put him with the lads or with the younger group. It was unfortunate for Liam because I think he expected a bit more than when he signed, but that’s the way football goes.
"But I wish him well and good luck in the future because I believe he will go somewhere and succeed."
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has described Notts County's League Two regular season finale against Luton Town as a "fantastic opportunity" to prepare for the playoffs.
The Magpies' 2-1 loss at Grimsby Town, combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 2-1 win at Chesterfield, saw the Chairboys fill the last top-three spot in the table.
Notts cannot finish any higher than fourth or lower than seventh, but before navigating the playoffs, must first see out the 46th and final fixture, and awaiting them on Saturday is second-placed Luton.
“It’s just about making sure now that we’re ready and we’re prepared for the playoffs,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“There’s no better time to do it than start with a fantastic opportunity and a fantastic game with Luton who were deservedly going up.
“They are going to bring 4,000 plus fans and it’s going to be a great atmosphere and a great occasion.
“Then we know we’ve got the business of two games which is going to give us the season highlight or lowlight.
“But I said to all the players that no matter what happens from now on, I’m proud of every one of them for what they’ve done and what we’ve done as a team this year.
“We’re just hoping that we can get over their final hurdle now.”
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Joe Jones
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.
- Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley and his brother, assistant manager Nicky, have committed their future to Sincil Bank by signing new deals until 2022.
- Carlisle United have announced that Keith Curle will leave Brunton Park at the end of the season. The former Notts County boss has been in charge of the Cumbrians since September 2014.
- The 45th round of fixtures saw Luton Town clinch second place behind champions Accrington Stanley.
- Wycombe Wanderers were assured of third place, leaving Exeter City, Notts County, Coventry City, Lincoln City and Mansfield Town in the running for the four playoff places.
- At the bottom, Barnet sit two points adrift of safety, with Morecambe the only other team that could join Chesterfield in dropping to the National League.
- Also relating to Morecambe, the sale of the club to Bond Group Investments Limited was completed ahead of their relegation decider.
- EFL clubs are set to vote on the future of the matchday programme in June. Several of its members have questioned the requirement for clubs to offer a physical version of their product in an era of social media.
- Veteran midfielder Sam Saunders has signed a new one-year deal with Wycombe Wanderers after helping the club win automatic promotion to League One. The 34-year-old has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season.
- Defender Josh Doherty has signed a new two-year contract with Crawley Town. The 22-year-old, who has represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level, has made 13 starts and a further four substitute appearances this season.
- Crewe Alexandra striker Charlie Kirk has signed a new three-year contract at Gresty Road. The 20-year-old academy graduate's existing deal was due to expire this June, but he is now signed up until the summer of 2021.
- Cambridge United have appointed interim boss Joe Dunne as their permanent head coach on a three-year contract. The ex-Colchester manager, 44, joined the U's as Richard Money's assistant in 2015 and also worked with Shaun Derry, who left the club in February.
- Crewe midfielder James Jones has signed a new two-year contract following a frustrating injury-hit campaign with the club. Jones, 22, has made just five appearances this season, and was not fit for action until late March.
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Joe Jones
Shaun Brisley wants Notts County to put the disappointment of the defeat at Grimsby Town behind them, keep the momentum going against Luton Town and go into the playoffs full of confidence.
Wycombe Wanderers took third spot in the table as they won their 45th game, while the Magpies fluffed their lines at Blundell Park in a 2-1 loss.
The promoted Hatters await Notts on Saturday in the last game of the regular season and Brisley is eager for his side to make the most of it.
“We obviously wanted to win to take the fight for third spot into the final game,” Brisley told the Nottingham Post. “But we weren’t as good as what we have been in the last three games.
“We’ll take it on the chin and we’ll look forward to the play-offs. It’s important we get back to winning ways against Luton and build momentum going into those extra two games.
“But to be in the play-offs is a great achievement given where the club was last season. We are still in with a chance of promotion, which is the target we set ourselves.
“But there was a sense of frustration about not taking it to the final game. We’ve just got to keep our heads up and go again.”
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Joe Jones
Liam Walker has suggested that a lack of game time prompted him to make the decision to leave Notts County ahead of the end of the League Two season.
The 30-year-old joined the Magpies last summer from Gibraltar Premier Division outfit Europa FC but made just 19 appearances in total, struggling to even make the bench in recent weeks.
Notts confirmed the news of Walker's contract being terminated by mutual consent on Monday afternoon, stating that he had left "with immediate effect to pursue opportunities elsewhere".
"Well my time at Notts County has come to an end," Walker wrote on social media.
"It has been a hard season personally for me with the lack of game time and I have taken the decision to cancel my contract and move on.
"I would just like to thank the fans and all those who did believe in me. Wish the club all the best for the future and good luck for the playoffs."
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Joe Jones
On this day in 1981, Notts County experienced one of the finest days in their history when they claimed a 2-0 win over Chelsea at an intimidating Stamford Bridge to secure a return to the top flight after an exile of more than half a century.
When the Magpies had last graced the top flight, penicillin had not yet been discovered, the BBC did not yet exist, and women under the age of 30 were not yet allowed to vote. The last Notts top-flight game was in 1926 and few could have expected such a drought from the elite level of English football.
However, Jimmy Sirrel oversaw a revival at Meadow Lane which culminated in the iconic win in West London on 2 May 1981.
The match itself proved a fiery affair and was held up for 15 minutes soon after Notts went two up as Chelsea fans invaded the pitch to demonstrate against their chairman, and there was another protest at the final whistle which resulted in the crossbar at the Shed end being broken.
Nonetheless, the bottom line was that Notts sealed a top-three place in Division Two thanks to the result.
Here is some media from the day - the television report on ITN (as far as I know this is as much as there is in terms of video highlights).
Here are the final 10 or so minutes of radio commentary by Brian Tansley and Terry Bowles on Radio Trent (credit to KorkInNotts for the video).
And here is a link to a short clip of Colin Slater commentating on Harkouk's goal.
http://jkpkwa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1ptj1jMsTm2lRC0mhAH9IrgmPrYvKj1isP2bJAoR1-5WFUW_FPFANePNtkKUXeSiyxCsdMwCC8wLFhzP2WniAV2A/1981-05-02Promotion.mp3
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has claimed that he is not fussed over who Notts County will face in the League Two playoffs.
The final matchday of the regular League Two season will be played out on Saturday, with the Magpies facing Luton Town at Meadow Lane.
Notts will be seeking victory in order to finish as high as they can in the playoff places, and have already beaten Exeter City, Coventry City, Lincoln City this season.
“It doesn’t matter who we get,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “We’ve just got to make sure that we be ourselves.
“We’ve had some good success against all those teams so for me, it doesn’t matter.
“We will know this time next week who we’ve got and we will start preparing.
“Hopefully that preparation will do us right and we’ll be having a trip to Wembley.”
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Joe Jones
Though not quite as busy on the fixture level as the previous months, April was nonetheless a tense month, with many of the league's annual permutations becoming reality.
How did the month pan out for the Notts County contingent? Pride of Nottingham goes over the big news.
April 2
On Easter Monday, Notts suffered a big blow to their automatic promotion hopes as eventual League Two champions Accrington Stanley ran out 1-0 winners at the Wham Stadium.
On the plus side, Michael O'Connor made his long-awaited return for Notts County, coming on as a second-half substitute during the defeat for his first first-team appearance since April 2017.
April 5
Jorge Grant was named in FourFourTwo magazine's top 50 EFL players of the season.
April 7
Notts claimed their first win in six League Two games as fellow playoff chasers Coventry City were beaten 2-1 at Meadow Lane, Pride of Nottingham-sponsored Jonathan Forte scoring a brace for the Magpies.
April 9
Kevin Nolan confirmed that his touchline dismissal against Wycombe Wanderers was punished by a fine.
April 10
Highly rated Leyton Orient midfielder Charley Barker reportedly played in a friendly for Notts with a view to a future switch to Meadow Lane, though nothing more has been heard since.
April 12
Kevin Nolan said he would be having a chat with Joey Barton in hope of persuading him to come to Notts, though his former Newcastle United teammate has since gone on to secure the manager's job at Fleetwood Town.
Jon Stead triggered a clause in his Notts contract to extend his stay at Meadow Lane past the end of the 2017/18 season.
April 14
Notts came from a goal down to record a 3-1 win at Colchester United that kept the Magpies' League Two playoff hopes alive and kicking.
Shola Ameobi revealed that he is mulling over whether to retire at the end of the season but will consider it properly in the summer.
April 18
Shola Ameobi says he is not specifically looking to go into coaching once he hangs up his boots but has not fully closed the door on a potential switch to the dugout.
April 21
Notts secured a spot in the League Two playoffs thanks to a resounding 4-1 win over Yeovil Town at Meadow Lane.
April 28
On a slightly sourer note, Notts threw away the chance of making the top three in League Two after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Grimsby Town.
April 29
Matt Tootle and Jorge Grant were among the award winners at Notts County's end-of-season ceremony.
April 30
Notts announced that Gibraltar international Liam Walker had left the club with one regular season game to spare.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have announced that Gibraltar international Liam Walker has left the club.
The 30-year-old joined the Magpies last summer from Gibraltar Premier Division outfit Europa FC.
Walker has made 19 appearances this season but has found himself on the fringes of the team and in recent weeks struggled even to make the bench.
Notts confirmed the news of Walker's contract being terminated by mutual consent on Monday afternoon, stating that he had left "with immediate effect to pursue opportunities elsewhere".
Manager Kevin Nolan also left a brief message for the midfielder.
“Everyone at Meadow Lane would like to thank Liam for all his efforts this season," Nolan was quoted as saying. "We wish him all the best for the future.”
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has quickly switched attention to the League Two playoffs and says he is looking forward to them as he hopes to guide Notts County up to League One via Wembley.
The Magpies were beaten 2-1 at Grimsby Town on Saturday, a result which, combined with Wycombe Wanderers' win at Chesterfield, has seen the Chairboys take the last automatic spot in the table.
Luton Town are up next for Notts, who will seek to finish as high up in the playoff positions as possible, to determine who Nolan's boys will face in the semi-finals.
“I’m looking forward to them now,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“I’ve been involved in two play-offs and I’ve won them both. It’s a great way to go up, it’s a great occasion, but we’ve still got a massive job to do.
“We’ve got three big and tough games coming up now, whoever we meet in the play-offs. Our lads will be up for it and we’re going to have a right good go at it.
“Hopefully over the two legs we will be the better team and see ourselves at Wembley.”
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Joe Jones
Notts County right-back Matt Tootle has been named the Supporters' Player of the Season for 2017/18.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a superb season in the black and white stripes thanks to his displays which combined dynamism with consistency.
Tootle is also a fan favourite thanks to his eccentric, loveable personality, as shown by his quirky "slug" goal celebration which he has used several times this season after chipping in with a few strikes.
Off the pitch, Tootle has also raised awareness of mental health issues, having faced and overcome his own battles, which has inspired and helped out many people within the football sphere who could relate.
Notts County's awards ceremony took place on Sunday evening at Meadow Lane, with upwards of 170 guests in attendance.
Here are the other winners from the night:
Community Champion: Michael O'Connor
Lifetime Achievement: Colin Slater
Goal of the Season: Noor Husin (vs. Crewe Alexandra)
Golden Boot: Jorge Grant
Players' Player of the Season: Jorge Grant
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