Articles: Pride of Nottingham (Notts County Community)

Stat Attack: Carlisle United vs. Notts County, Saturday 8 April 2017

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 15:24:00 +0000

Carlisle United and Notts County have met 31 times since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians.

Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 12, with just 3 draws.

Our last meeting was on New Year's Eve last year, losing 3-2 to the Cumbrians at Meadow Lane.

Carlisle staged their 'home' fixture against Notts at Preston North End's Deepdale stadium in December 2015 due to floods in Cumbria which impacted on Brunton Park as well.

Carlisle is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).

The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though.

Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.

Despite their small stature, the club has experience moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two Fourth Division championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011.

Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.

Team news

Jason Kennedy and Jabo Ibehre have returned to fitness after injuries and may play a part for Carlisle on Saturday after being unused substitutes last weekend.

Recent signing Ben Tomlinson is hoping for a first appearance for the Cumbrians but Nicky Adams is a doubt as he continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.

Shaun Miller serves the second game of a four-match suspension after receiving his second red card of the season in the defeat to Crewe a fortnight ago.

Notts hope to have captain Michael O'Connor back in contention for the trip to Cumbria - he missed last weekend's win over Colchester after bruising his foot in training but should be fit to play at Brunton Park.

Winger Mark Yeates will definitely be absent as he completes a three-game ban following his sending-off at home to Barnet last month.

Left-back Marc Bola has recovered from a hamstring problem and should be included in the Magpies' squad.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Colchester United, Saturday 1 April 2017

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 14:45:00 +0000

Notts County have met Colchester United 42 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988.

The Magpies are in front when it comes to head-to-head, having won 20 games to Colchester's 15, with seven draws.

All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.

Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937.

However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873.

Despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, though, they refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players.

As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and went on from strength to strength while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded.

Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time.

The U's won the Football League Trophy (now the Johnstone's Paint Trophy) in 1996-97. and also compete in a competition called the Essex Senior Cup, a tournament contested by mostly non-league clubs within the region (Colchester usually field a youth/reserve team for this), winning this trophy back in 2009-10.

Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 1984.

Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua.

The town of Colchester is said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain on the grounds that it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder, who died in AD 79.

It was for a time the capital of Roman Britain, and is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.

Since 2006, Colchester has been one of 12 places in the UK where Royal Salutes are fired to mark Royal anniversaries and visits by foreign heads of state.

Team news

Marc Bola is an injury concern for Notts County as they prepare to host Colchester on Saturday.

The left-back, on loan from Arsenal, missed last weekend's win at Wycombe Wanderers due to a hamstring injury. He has resumed training and Magpies manager Kevin Nolan will give the teenager as long as possible to prove his fitness.

Should he not make it, Carl Dickinson, who impressed against the Chairboys, will continue in his absence.

A hamstring issue has kept Curtis Thompson out recently but he could return to the squad. However, fellow midfielder Mark Yeates must serve the second game of a three-match ban for a red card he received against Barnet.

Goalkeeper Sam Walker is in line to make his 150th league appearance for Colchester.

Chris Porter scored a brace in last weekend's win over Luton, which kept the U's in the play-off hunt so should lead the attack again, while midfielder Owen Garvan will be assessed as he has been carrying a knee problem.

Defender Tom Eastman and midfielder Doug Loft are stepping up their rehabilitation, but centre-back Jermaine Grandison has left the Essex club having not made an first-team appearance since signing a short-term deal after he sustained a hip injury.

Midfielder Sammie Szmodics is recovering from a broken leg, while leading scorer Kurtis Guthrie, midfielder Craig Slater, defender Frankie Kent and forward Denny Johnstone are all long-term absentees along with club captain Luke Prosser.

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Stat Attack: Wycombe Wanderers vs. Notts County, Saturday 25 March 2017

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 16:32:10 +0000

Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers have faced each other a total of 33 times over the years, with the first meeting coming as late as 1995, when the Magpies won 2-0 at Meadow Lane.

The Chairboys are way ahead in the head-to-head, having beaten Notts 16 times and drawn nine – we have beaten them just eight times.

Our last encounter was on 10 December 2016, a 2-0 defeat which proved controversial due to a number of contentious decisions made by referee Eddie Ilderton, prompting former manager John Sheridan to launch a tirade against the match officials which ultimately cost him his job.

In 1887, a meeting held at the Steam Engine public house in Station Road, High Wycombe saw the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. It is highly likely the club was named Wanderers after the famous Wanderers, winners of the first FA Cup in 1872. The club played just friendly matches between 1887 and 1896.

Wycombe first entered the FA Amateur Cup in 1894 and the FA Cup in 1895. In 1895 the club moved to Loakes Park, which would become its home for the next 95 years.

In 1896 the club joined the Southern League and competed in the Second Division until 1908, but in the summer of 1908 the club declined the invitation to retain their membership of the Southern League.

The club decided to pursue amateur instead of professional football and joined the Great Western Suburban League and remained there until the outbreak of the First World War.

After the hostilities had ended the club joined the Spartan League in 1919 and were Champions in successive years. In March 1921 the club's application to join the Isthmian League was accepted.

Wycombe enjoyed a fairytale season in 2000–01 as the club reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. First Division sides Grimsby Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Wimbledon were all beaten before a memorable quarter-final with Premier League Leicester City.

In a game that has gone down in FA Cup history, striker Roy Essandoh headed an injury-time winner to seal a 2–1 win at Filbert Street as manager Lawrie Sanchez looked on from the dressing room, having been dismissed from the touchline during the game. The ensuing semi-final at Villa Park saw Liverpool pushed all the way before claiming a 2–1 victory.

Team news

Wycombe will be without Paris Cowan-Hall for their League Two clash with Notts County on Saturday.

The 26-year-old striker is suspended having been sent off in last weekend's 2-0 win at Hartlepool United, where he came off the bench to score for Gareth Ainsworth's side.

Cowan-Hall had come on for the Chairboys' other goalscorer, Adebayo Akinfenwa, who took a knock in opening the scoring.

Akinfenwa should be fine to lead the line against the Magpies, with Sam Saunders again ready to deputise for Marcus Bean - who sat out the win through injury.

Notts County will travel without the suspended Mark Yeates.

The midfielder was sent off after only 11 minutes against Barnet last weekend and must serve a three-match ban.

Despite their numerical disadvantage for the majority of that game, the Magpies won 1-0 and boss Kevin Nolan will stick largely to the same team.

Curtis Thompson will have his hamstring niggle checked again while back-up goalkeeper Scott Loach has left to join York City on loan.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Barnet, Sunday 19 March 2017

Sat, 18 Mar 2017 22:13:05 +0000

Notts County and Barnet have met each other just 16 times over the years.

The first fixture came on 1 November 1997, with the Magpies earning a 2-1 away win in Division Three, while the last fixture was on 26 November 2016, a 3-2 defeat at The Hive.

Notts have eight wins against the Bees, with five defeats and three draws.

The club was founded in Chipping Barnet, then part of Hertfordshire, in 1888.

Several incarnations of the club existed before the third Barnet FC, created after the First World War, came to be - this entity continues till today.

Barnet have won the Football Conference a record three times - in 1991, 2005, and 2015, as well as finishing second three other times.

Aside from a runners-up medal in the 1971-72 FA Trophy, their silverware cabinet is restricted to minor trophies.

A number of Barnet players have gone on to represent Premier League clubs. They include Dougie Freedman, Marlon King, Andy Clarke, Linvoy Primus, Maik Taylor, Mark Gower, Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie and Albert Adomah.

Players who came to the club towards the end of their careers include Jimmy Greaves, Mark Lawrenson, David Hillier, Alan Pardew, Eddie Newton, Paul Warhurst, Steve Kabba, John Oster, Jonathan Fortune, Edgar Davids and Lee Cook.

Team news

Notts County will check on Jon Stead and Curtis Thompson ahead of the visit of Barnet.

Stead has been nursing a dead leg while midfielder Thompson has had a slight hamstring niggle.

The pair will be given as long as possible to make themselves available but French defender Thierry Audel may not make the matchday squad again, despite being fit.

Elliott Hewitt and Shola Ameobi were both introduced as substitutes fairly early on at Doncaster in midweek and might have done enough to earn starting places on Sunday.

Barnet manager Kevin Nugent has no new injury worries ahead of the trip.

Defender Elliot Johnson could be in contention to start after coming on as a late substitute for their 2-2 draw against Yeovil having recovered from injury while Sam Akinde is pushing for his first start for the Bees.

Centre-back Ricardo Santos looks set to remain sidelined with a knee problem, while Jamie Stephens, Josh Vickers, Jack Taylor, James Pearson, Michael Gash and Shaun Batt are all unavailable.

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Stat Attack: Doncaster Rovers vs. Notts County, Tuesday 13 March 2017

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:35:31 +0000

Notts County have met Doncaster Rovers 55 times over the years, with the first fixture coming on the 13th December 1930. On that occasion, an FA Cup tie, the Magpies triumphed 1-0.

Doncaster hold the most slender of advantages in the head to head - we've won 23 times, lost 24 times, and drawn 8 times.

The club was founded in 1879 and turned professional in 1885. They have spent the majority of their playing history between the third and fourth tiers of the English football league system and are one of four clubs to win the Division 3/League Two title three times, the last being in 2004.

Football League rules state that any team who wins a trophy three times can keep it. However, when Rovers tried to retain ownership of the actual Third Division trophy, the Football League claimed that Rovers could not keep the trophy because the league names had changed from Fourth to Third Division, and so they had not won that particular league three times.

The team's mascot is a brown dog known as Donny Dog, who wears the red and white Rovers jersey.

Before a scheduled appearance during the game against Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium on 4 March 2006, police prevented Andrew Liney from entering the stadium in costume, citing unspecified "police intelligence", and refused him permission to wear any part of the costume within 50 metres of the stadium. Mr Liney later received a full written apology for these unfounded allegations from the head of West Yorkshire Police.

The mascot was next portrayed by Tracy Chandler and in June 2011, she was relieved from the position after she posed in her underwear for a Sunday newspaper. Later in the same week she was reinstated back as the club's mascot.

Arguably the club's most famous fan is One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson. The 25-year-old had agreed to play in a charity game at the Keepmoat several years ago to raise money for the Bluebell Wood Charity and was offered a deal by Donny to join the club on non-contract terms after impressing in the game.

Team news

Doncaster striker Liam Mandeville has suffered an injury setback and will play no part against Notts.

Mandeville had been hoping to return to the squad for Saturday's home win against Cheltenham after being ruled out since early February with an ankle injury, but strained a thigh in training on Friday.

Boss Darren Ferguson has no new injury or suspension problems and could be tempted to name the same starting line-up.

Midfielder Gary McSheffrey is likely to start on the bench again following his recent return from a long-term knee injury, while defender Joe Wright, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Lee McCullough (all knee) are still out.

Notts have captain Michael O'Connor available after serving a two-match ban but Magpies manager Kevin Nolan must decide if his skipper goes straight back into midfield.

Jon Stead and Curtis Thompson will need to prove their fitness after both players missed the home win over Hartlepool at the weekend.

Striker Stead has a dead leg while midfielder Thompson has a slight hamstring niggle.

Both will be given as long as possible to make themselves available but French defender Thierry Audel may not make the matchday squad again, despite being fit.

Carl Dickinson, Alan Smith and Adam Campbell are among the other options at Nolan's disposal should he make changes.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Hartlepool United, Saturday 11 March 2017

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:20:09 +0000

Notts County and Hartlepool United have met 32 times over the years. The first meeting was on 21 September 1959 at Victoria Park, and the Magpies won 4-2.

We've played them twice this season so far - the League Two meeting on 20 August and a FL Trophy tie 11 days later, which we both won 2-1.

The head-to-head record stands at 15 wins for Notts, 12 defeats, and 5 draws, and we have won each of the last four meetings.

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".

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.

Team news

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan is considering handing himself a debut against fellow Hartlepool United on Saturday.

The former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham midfielder has yet to play since taking over at Meadow Lane in January but is weighing up the possibility after the 3-0 defeat at Stevenage.

With captain Michael O'Connor still suspended, Nolan could come into the middle of the park while another change might see Richard Duffy restored in defence after he was left on the bench on his return from a ban last weekend.

Matt Tootle, Carl Dickinson, Alan Smith and Jonathan Forte are also options for Nolan.

Hartlepool boss Dave Jones is set to recall midfielder Nicky Deverdics from his loan spell at Dover amid an injury crisis.

Jones has a series of players suffering from niggles and knocks with full-back Sean Kavanagh having returned to parent club Fulham this week for an assessment of the hamstring problem he sustained in the 3-1 victory over Exeter last Saturday.

Striker Billy Paynter remains on the sidelines as he undergoes a course of injections he hopes will mean he does not have to have surgery to address a persistent Achilles problem.

Full-back Carl Magnay is edging his way back from a serious knee injury, but keeper Trevor Carson and central defender Rob Jones are still out.

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Stat Attack: Stevenage vs. Notts County, Saturday 4 March 2017

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 11:24:16 +0000

Notts County and Stevenage FC have only ever met 10 times, the first meeting coming on 17 September 2011 at Broadhall Way (known as the Lamex Stadium) - the result on that day was 2-0 to the Magpies.

The last meeting, meanwhile, was at the start of this season, with the spoils shared out in a 1-1 draw - the first ever between the two sides - as Ben Kennedy opened the scoring for Stevenage at Meadow Lane nine minutes in and Jon Stead pulled level in the 18th minute.

Our head-to-head record is five wins for Notts, four for Stevenage, one draw.

Stevenage in their current form have only been in existence since 1976, but there have been numerous incarnations of the club that stretch back over a century.

A club called Stevenage FC was formed in 1894, but they soon adopted the name Stevenage Town.

In 1951 the club were founder members of the Delphian League. In 1956 they merged with Stevenage Rangers to form Stevenage FC, before reverting to Stevenage Town four years later.

They had some success in the Southern League but folded in 1967, after which Stevenage Athletic were created in their place a year later. This incarnation again knocked about in the Southern League but went bankrupt in 1976.

This brings us to Stevenage Borough, formed shortly after Athletic's demise, and this time they managed to prosper and work their way up the leagues until finally reaching the Football League in 2010, at which point they took the whole thing full circle by dropping the Borough from their name and becoming Stevenage FC.

Despite their relatively short history, Stevenage have won a number of trophies and competitions, including two FA Trophy cups in 2007 and 2009.

The Lamex Stadium holds 6,722 people, 3,142 of which can be seated. To put it into perspective, three full houses at Stevenage could fit into the Meadow Lane stands with 45 seats to spare.

The highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 8,040 for a match against Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round on 25 January 1998.

On that day a temporary stand was erected behind the away end to increase the stadium capacity to 8,100, enough to satisfy FA requirements.

Two films were set in and around Stevenage: "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" and "Boston Kickout". "Spy Game" was partly filmed in Stevenage but set in Washington DC.

A number of famous sporting figures were born in Stevenage, the most notable of which are Lewis Hamilton, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young, Ian Poulter, Kevin Phillips and Jason Shackell.

Team news

To follow.

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Stat Attack: Plymouth Argyle vs. Notts County, Tuesday 28 February 2017

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 19:49:00 +0000

Notts County and Plymouth Argyle have met a total of 45 times over the years, with the Magpies winning 23 times; the Pilgrims have triumphed 13 times, and nine draws have taken place.

The first meeting took place on 13 Jan 1923, a FA Cup clash in Plymouth which ended as a goalless draw.

The last meeting was at the start of the season, on 16 August last year, and the Pilgrims won 2-1 at Meadow Lane.

Argyle takes its nickname from an English religious group that left Plymouth for the New World in 1620. The club crest features the Mayflower, the ship that carried the pilgrims to Massachusetts.

The city of Plymouth is the largest in England never to have hosted top-flight football. They are also the most southerly and westerly League club in England.

The club was founded in 1886 as Argyle Football Club, the first match taking place on 16 October 1886 against Caxton, a team from Cornwall, and saw the Pilgrims lose 2–0.

Poor performances on the pitch led to the club going out of existence in 1894 before being resurrected in 1897 as one part of a general sports club, the Argyle Athletic Club.

Much speculation surrounds the origin of the name Argyle. One explanation is that they were named after the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, an army regiment with a strong football side of its own.

Another theory is given the respective geographical placements–suggests the name comes either from the nearby public house, The Argyle Tavern, where the founder members may have met, or the local street named Argyle Terrace.

An alternative suggestion is that their initial kit was decorated in the famous Argyle diamond pattern.

The club adopted its current name when it became fully professional in 1903 joining the Southern League, under the management of Bob Jack.

Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles (one Division Two and two Division Three), five Southern League titles and one Western League title.

The team set the record for most championships won in the third tier, having finished first in the Third Division South twice, the Third Division once and the Second Division once.

In March 1973, Plymouth played a friendly against Brazilian giants Santos - who had a player by the name of Pele in their ranks. You may have heard of him.

The Devon club shocked the crowd of over 37,000 people at Home Park by cruising to a 3-0 lead and going on to win the game 3-2.

Team news

Plymouth will check on David Fox ahead of their League Two game with Notts County at Home Park on Tuesday after limping off before half-time in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Luton Town.

Fox was the victim of a heavy challenge which angered Pilgrims boss Derek Adams and Jakub Sokolik could deputise.

Graham Carey should be fine after taking a knock in the same game, and Antoni Sarcevic is also available after coming through the Luton draw unscathed after ankle trouble.

Notts are nursing a few bumps and bruises following their goalless home draw against Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Kevin Nolan will give those players affected as long as possible to prove their fitness as they prepare to face the League Two title chasers.

Defender Richard Duffy remains unavailable as he completes a two-match ban while midfielder Michael O'Connor is still on nine yellow cards and one more away from an enforced two-game absence of his own.

Thierry Audel is fit again after a groin problem but had to settle for a place on the bench at the weekend.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Yeovil Town, Saturday 25 February 2017

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:31:00 +0000

Notts County and Yeovil Town have met 14 times over the years.

The first game took place at Meadow Lane on 4 November 1961, with the Magpies beating their opponents 4-2 in the FA Cup.

That was the only meeting of the two pre-21st century - the 13 meetings following that game all took place between 2004 and 2016.

Yeovil have the upper edge in the head-to-head with seven wins, five defeats and two draws against Notts.

Yeovil Football Club was founded in 1890, and shared their ground with the local rugby club for many years.

Five years later they were renamed Yeovil Casuals and started playing home games at the Pen Mill Athletic Ground.

In 1907 the name Yeovil Town was adopted, which on amalgamation with Petters United became Yeovil and Petters United. The name reverted to Yeovil Town prior to the 1946–47 season.

The Somerset outfit have spent most of their existence in the lower leagues, though they briefly made a name for themselves in the 1948-49 season when they beat Sunderland 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round.

In the 1980s, Yeovil were founder members of the Football Conference, where they remained for the next two decades, save for a few relegations to the Isthmian League which usually resulted in an instant return to the above tier.

Yeovil Town earned promotion to the Football League in the 2002-03 season, by winning the Football Conference by a record 17 points margin, accumulating 95 points and scoring 100 goals, remaining unbeaten at Huish Park.

In their second ever season in the Football League, the Glovers went one better by achieving promotion to the third tier as champions of League Two.

Then, in the following years even reached the League One playoffs, beating Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals in 2006-07 before losing to Blackpool in the final at Wembley.

Six years later, however, Yeovil achieved what had been deemed unthinkable a decade earlier - they reached the second tier of English football after beating Brentford in the 2013 League One play-off final.

Their stay in the Championship was brief, however, and they went on to suffer back-to-back relegations, leaving them in the bottom tier of the Football League where they still ply their trade.

Team news

Notts County are preparing to host Yeovil without suspended defender Richard Duffy.

Richard Duffy will be absent as he was booked for the 10th time this season during the win against Leyton Orient and must serve a two-match ban.

With Thierry Audel still struggling with a groin problem, it leaves Haydn Hollis and on-loan Josh Clackstone as the only recognised centre-backs available to Kevin Nolan.

Midfielder Michael O'Connor is just one yellow card away from a two-match ban after he was also booked at Brisbane Road.

The likes of Curtis Thompson, Alan Smith and Jonathan Forte will be hoping for recalls as Notts aim to extend their unbeaten league run to a season-best four games without defeat.

Yeovil are expected to have a trio of defenders back for the trip to Meadow Lane as they look to end a torrid run of form.

Darren Way's side have won only one of their last 13 league matches but will welcome back Ryan Dickson, Bevis Mugabi and Nathan Smith on Saturday.

Dickson suffered a knock during the 2-0 defeat at Cheltenham last weekend but has recovered quicker than expected to keep his place in the side while full-back Smith returns after missing the last two matches.

Mugabi is also fit after being absent for the match at Whaddon Road but winger Otis Khan misses out with an ankle injury that has ruled him out for the last six weeks.

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Stat Attack: Leyton Orient vs. Notts County, Saturday 18 February 2017

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 18:19:29 +0000

The first time that Notts County faced Leyton Orient was 102 years ago, when the Magpies travel to Millfields Road for a Division Two fixture. The East London outfit won 1-0.

A total of 78 fixtures have taken place between the two, with the Nottingham outfit holding the upper hand historically, as 31 games have been won by the Magpies, with 28 O's wins and 19 draws.

Leyton Orient were founded in 1881, and have had several name changes throughout the years, including Eagle Cricket Club, Orient FC and Clapton Orient FC. The O's, who play in Waltham Forest, are the second-oldest league club in London behind Fulham.

The club's unusual name is alleged to come from one of the club's early players (Jack R Dearing) who was an employee of the Orient Shipping Company.

During the First World War. 41 members of the Clapton Orient team and staff joined up into the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (the Footballers' Battalion), the highest of any football team in the country and the first to join up en masse.

During the Battle of the Somme, three players gave their lives for King and Country: Richard McFadden, George Scott and William Jonas. Prior to the First World War, O's striker Richard McFadden had saved the life of a boy who was drowning in the River Lea as well as rescuing a man from a burning building.

History was made on Saturday 30th April 1921 when the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VIII, visited Millfields Road to see the O's play Notts County. The Orient won 3-0 and this was the first time a member of royalty had attended a Football League match.

Leyton Orient were involved in a dispute with the Premier League over its decision to allow West Ham to use the Olympic Stadium in London, with the O's expressing an interest in the 2012 Olympics venue, but this has now been settled with a "confidential agreement".

Arguably the most famous fans of the club are Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber. The album Variations, used as the theme tune for London Weekend Television's South Bank Show, was written by Andrew as the result of his losing a bet to his brother on the result of a Leyton Orient match. Julian later presented a gold disc of Variations to the club chairman at half time during a game with Leicester City.

In addition, David Beckham and Alfred Hitchcock were born in the borough.

Team news

Leyton Orient will be without defender Nicky Hunt against Notts County after he was booked for the 10th time this season in the dramatic win at Plymouth in midweek.

Hunt serves a two-game ban as the O's look to stretch their unbeaten run to three games.

Manager Danny Webb is also waiting to see if midfielder Liam Kelly will be available after he was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association for pushing a ball boy at Home Park.

Elsewhere, defender Yvan Erichot and midfielder Nigel Atangana are doubts after missing Tuesday's game with groin injuries.

Striker Paul McCallum is set to miss out as he struggles with a recurring knee problem while Sammy Moore is a doubt through illness.

Thierry Audel is an injury concern for Notts as he is nursing a thigh problem following the midweek draw with Exeter and will be assessed before the Magpies travel.

Haydn Hollis has been overlooked by Notts boss Kevin Nolan for the last two matches but the defender will hope to come back into the squad, especially if Audel is absent.

Nolan, on his first return to the club who gave him his first management job, also has the likes of Shola Ameobi, Jonathan Forte and Jorge Grant pushing for starting places.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Exeter City, Tuesday 14 February 2017

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 23:53:00 +0000

Notts County and Exeter City have met a total of 43 times over their history, the first meeting coming at St James’ Park in Division Three (South) which finished as a 3-3 draw.

The Magpies have an excellent record against the Grecians; out of those 43 games, Notts claimed a result in 35, with 17 wins and 18 draws.

Our recent form (last five) is not too bad, with two wins, two draws and one defeat.

Exeter was formed in 1901 as St. Sidwell's United and played in the Southern League from 1908 until 1920, when that league's top division was absorbed into The Football League as its new Division Three.

The club was the first ever team to play the Brazilian national team in 1914, a match which was commemorated in a 2014 friendly game against Fluminense.

City took 60 years to achieve their first ever promotion, finishing fourth in Division Four in the 1963–64 season.

Since then, the club have mostly yo-yoed between the third and fourth divisions, spending five years in the Conference between 2003 and 2008; having been promoted a further four times (in 1976–77, 1989–90, 2007–08 and 2008–09) and relegated five times (in 1965–66,1983–84, 1993–94, 2002–03 and 2011–12).

Famous fans include Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Adrian Edmondson, Mark Nicol and Noel Edmonds.

Singer Joss Stone signed up as a member of the Supporters' Trust, being introduced to fans on the pitch as a new member during a League Cup match against Liverpool.

In 2002 pop singer Michael Jackson was made honorary director of Exeter City. He visited St James Park with celebrity friend Uri Geller, who was also a director.

The crew of the HMS Defender also adopted Exeter City as their home team and use their strip if playing games whilst on tour.

Team news

Notts have no fresh injury concerns and a fully-fit squad ahead of the visit of Exeter.

Magpies manager Kevin Nolan could keep faith with the side that started Saturday's 2-1 home win against Cheltenham, although he has plenty of options.

Carl Dickinson was back in the squad for that game after recovering from a knee injury but he had to settle for a place on the bench, while Adam Campbell and Haydn Hollis were both left out altogether.

Jorge Grant, on loan from Nottingham Forest, made an impression during his late cameo from the bench at the weekend but it remains to be seen whether the midfielder did enough to force his way into Nolan's XI.

Reuben Reid will once again feature in the Exeter attack after recovering from illness to lead the line in the 3-0 defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Plymouth Argyle.

Reid will be joined in attack by Ollie Watkins who recovered from a foot injury in time to face the Pilgrims, with Liam McAlinden and Robbie Simpson again likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Cheltenham Town, Saturday 11 February 2017

Sat, 11 Feb 2017 08:50:41 +0000

Notts County and Cheltenham Town have faced off just nine times in their history, and all meetings have come in the 21st century.

The first clash was on 28 September 2002, when the Magpies played away at Whaddon Road and won 4-1.

The last game, meanwhile, was earlier this season, a 3-2 win at Whaddon Road with Jon Stead bagging a brace after Jonathan Forte opened the scoring four minutes in.

As it stands, the Magpies have 5 wins, 2 defeats, and 2 draws against Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Town was founded in 1887 by Albert Close White, a local teacher.

However, the town has prior football history - in 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune, was recorded in Cheltenham.

Promoted to The Football League as Conference Premier champions in 1999, Cheltenham have played as high as League One, the third tier of English football, spending a total of four seasons there.

Their best FA Cup run saw them reach the last 16 (fifth round) in 2002.

The last piece of silverware won by the club was the National League title in 2015–2016.

Its league status was lost with relegation in 2015, only for the team to return, as champions, a year later.

Two former Notts managers, Steve Cotterill and Martin Allen, have also done time at the Gloucestershire club.

Team news

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan hopes Thierry Audel will be fit to give him a full squad to choose from against Cheltenham Town.

Audel limped off injured during the first half of the defeat at Accrington last weekend and the Frenchman will be assessed.

Fellow defender Carl Dickinson has returned to training this week and is available along with midfielder Curtis Thompson, who served a one-match ban against Stanley.

Former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi could be in line for his home debut after joining the Magpies last week on a deal until the end of the season.

Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson must decide what shape to select his team in.

Last week's more positive side drew 1-1 at home to Newport, having most recently won 3-2 at Luton in a defensive 5-4-1 formation.

Recent signing Liam Davis made his debut last week and is expected to retain his place.

Danny Wright could be pushing for a recall after appearing against Newport as a substitute.

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Stat Attack: Accrington Stanley vs. Notts County, Saturday 4 February 2017

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 16:44:00 +0000

Notts County have played the current incarnation of Accrington Stanley 14 times in their history.

The first fixtures against the "new Stanley" were in August and December 1958, when both sides played in Division Three.

The Magpies drew 1-1 in the first match, before losing 3-0 in the second.

A hiatus of 48 years followed before the teams met again in the fourth tier, now League Two, on 9 September 2006. The result was a 3-2 win to Notts.

The last fixture was earlier this season on September 10, and Stanley won 2-0 at Meadow Lane.

The original town's team, Accrington, were amongst the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888, before resigning from the league after just five years.

A team called Stanley Villa already existed at the time, named as such because they were based at the Stanley Arms on Stanley Street in Accrington.

With the demise of Accrington, Stanley Villa took the town name to become Accrington Stanley.

The club re-formed after World War I and entered the League in 1921 with the formation of the old Third Division North, along with the other top northern non-League clubs.

This original incarnation was dissolved in 1966, before re-emerging two years later. In 2005–06, Stanley won the Football Conference and were promoted to League Two.

Ironically, Oxford United, the team they switched places with, was the team that had been elected to replace the former Accrington Stanley as members of the Football League in 1962 when they were struggling with debt.

Accrington Stanley is perhaps most well known for being mentioned pejoratively by two Liverpudlian kids in a late 1980s advert by the Milk Marketing Board.

Famous people from Accrington include Vicky Entwhistle and Julie Hesmondhalgh from Coronation Street, Yes singer Jon Anderson, cricketer Mike Atherton, Diana Vickers from The X Factor, and Mystic Meg.

Team news

Accrington are still missing Matty Pearson and Scott Brown through suspension ahead of the visit of Notts on Saturday.

Defender Pearson is in the middle of a three-match ban following his sending-off in the 1-1 draw against Carlisle United.

Midfielder Brown must sit out the League Two match and one more fixture as he completes his four-match ban.

Stanley boss John Coleman can field the squad which lost narrowly in the FA Cup at Middlesbrough last week, however.

Notts could name a much-changed team from that which last week defeated Crawley Town 2-1 after being busy in the transfer market.

Kevin Nolan has registered to play for them, therefore becoming player-manager and coming into contention.

On Tuesday they also recruited Tahvon Campbell, Marc Bola, Jorge Grant and Josh Clackstone, while Mark Yeates signed earlier on in the window.

Curtis Thompson, however, is suspended after being sent off last Saturday.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Crawley Town, Saturday 28 January 2017

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 16:36:26 +0000

Notts County have only ever played Crawley Town nine times in their history.

The first fixture between the two was just over four years ago, on 10 November 2012.

This milestone first meeting between the two, played at Meadow Lane, finished 1-1.

Meanwhile the return fixture, played away on the 9th March 2013, ended as a goalless draw.

The record stands at five Notts wins, two defeats and two draws.

Our recent record against them is very good, the Magpies winning the last three encounters (all in League Two).

Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history – last decade, while Notts were struggling to survive in the old Second Division, Crawley had just been promoted from the Southern Football League.

Crawley have won plenty of silverware in their history, though the majority of it is amateur-based. This changed when they won the Conference National title in 2011 and the League Two title just a year later.

2010-11 was a record-breaking season not just for Crawley, but also for the Conference.

The West Sussex club broke the points total in one season (105) and tie with other teams for most wins in one season (31), fewest defeats (3), and highest goal difference (+63).

Because of this season, alongside the funds they had to buy players and an unlikable manager (Steve Evans), they were known as “the Manchester United of non-league football”.

The town of Crawley is known for being close - just three miles in fact - to Gatwick Airport, the world's busiest single-runway international airport.

Famous people who have links to Crawley include Australian footballer Kevin Muscat (born in Crawley), Gareth Southgate (attended the town's Hazelwick School), English rock band The Cure (formed in Crawley, several of its members attended St Wilfrid's RC School) and Gorillaz lead singer 2D (a fictional character, his back story claims he grew up in the town).

Team news

Rob Milsom is a doubt for Saturday's game - he did not reappear for the second half of last weekend's defeat at Grimsby Town having suffered severe swelling on his foot.

Stanley Aborah impressed as a substitute against the Mariners and is pushing for a start.

The Magpies are still under a transfer embargo, although that could be lifted over the weekend.

After their match against Portsmouth was cancelled last week, Crawley manager Dermot Drummy has no fresh injury concerns.

Striker Matt Harrold is the only long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

Conor Henderson is in contention to start after renewing his short-term deal at the club until the end of the season.

Drummy could also hand a debut to defender Josh Lelan, who joined the Red Devils on Thursday.

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Stat Attack: Grimsby Town vs. Notts County, Saturday 21 January 2017

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 17:22:00 +0000

Notts County and Grimsby Town have met a total of 79 times over the years, with the first fixture coming on 5 October 1893. Notts won the Division Two clash 2-0 at Trent Bridge.

The Magpies have 27 wins, while the Mariners have 32, and 20 games have been drawn.

Grimsby Town FC was formed in 1878 after a meeting held at the Wellington Arms public house in Freeman Street, Grimsby.

Several attendees included members of the local Worsley Cricket Club who wanted to form a football club to occupy the empty winter evenings after the cricket season had finished

The club was originally called Grimsby Pelham, this being the family name of the Earl of Yarborough, a significant landowner in the area.

In 1880 the club purchased land at Clee Park which was to become their ground until 1889 when they relocated to Abbey Park, before moving again in 1899 to their present home, Blundell Park.

The club is the most successful of the three professional league clubs in historic Lincolnshire, being the only one to play top-flight football. It is also the only club of the three to reach an FA Cup semi-final (doing so on two occasions) and is the only one to succeed in two finals at the old Wembley Stadium. It has also spent more time in the English game's first and second tiers than any other club from Lincolnshire.

Notable managers include Bill Shankly, who went on to guide Liverpool to three League titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup triumph and Lawrie McMenemy who, after securing promotion to the then third division in 1972, moved to Southampton where he won the FA Cup in 1976.

Alan Buckley is the club's most successful manager; he had three spells as team manager between 1988 and 2008, guiding the club to three promotions and two appearances at Wembley Stadium during the 1997–98 season winning both the Football League Trophy and the Football League Second Division Play-Off Final.

In 2008 Buckley took Grimsby to the capital again, but lost out to MK Dons in the final of the Football League Trophy.

The Mariners had also reached the Football League Two Play-Off final in 2006 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but lost the match 1–0 to Cheltenham Town.

Later trips to the Wembley in 2013 and 2016 saw them defeated in the FA Trophy final by Wrexham and FC Halifax Town respectively.

Grimsby managed to reach the Conference play-off final in both 2015 and 2016, after losing to Bristol Rovers they defeated Forest Green Rovers to earn promotion back to the Football League.

Initial relegation from back in 2010 made them the fourth club to compete in all top five divisions of English football (after Carlisle United, Oxford United, and Luton Town).

Team news

Grimsby boss Marcus Bignot will be boosted by a trio of new signings as the Mariners look to get back on track against Notts County at Blundell Park.

Midfielder Chris Clements signed from Mansfield for an undisclosed fee on Thursday and Jamey Osborne and Akwasi Asante have joined from Bignot's former club Solihull Moors.

Bignot has no new injury worries but may look to make changes after his side's heavy 3-0 loss to Exeter last week.

Sean McAllister could start after a successful comeback from his groin strain while defender Gavin Gunning is also being lined up for his first start.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan, meanwhile, has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from.

Louis Laing has returned to Motherwell following the end of his loan spell, meaning Haydn Hollis, Thierry Audel and Richard Duffy are the only available central defenders at Nolan's disposal.

Duffy and Audel were impressive against the Stags and were singled out for praise by Nolan for their performance.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Mansfield Town, Saturday 14 January 2017

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:17:31 +0000

Nottinghamshire rivals Notts County and Mansfield Town have met 48 times over the years.

The first fixture between the two was in October 1937, a 2-0 win for the Magpies in Division Three (South).

Notts only just have the upper hand with 18 wins, 17 defeats, and 13 draws.

Between 1989 and 2001, the two sides met six times – and Notts won each time.

County's record over the last 10 meetings, however, is poor, standing at two wins, four defeats, and four draws.

This record is embellished by the fact Notts have beaten Mansfield twice in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the last two years.

In reality, the Magpies haven't got a league win over the Stags since August 2005.

The Stags were formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans, changing their name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910.

Mansfield won the Football League Trophy in 1987, in their first game at Wembley Stadium. After a 1–1 draw with Bristol City, they won the cup 5–4 in the deciding penalty shootout, thanks to Kevin Hitchcock saving two penalties.

That remains the only cup win in their history, though they did win the Division Four title in 1974-75, Division Three two seasons later, and the Conference in 2012-13.

Famous people from Mansfield include Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, media presenter Richard Bacon, FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic and award-winning fashion designer Elspeth Gibson.

Team news

Kevin Nolan will be in charge of Notts County for the first time when local rivals Mansfield Town visit Meadow Lane.

The former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham midfielder, formerly manager at Leyton Orient, was named as John Sheridan's successor on Thursday and will look to halt a club-record run of 10 straight league defeats.

This has left the Magpies just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

Nolan said he will take guidance as regards team selection from Alan Smith and Mark Crossley, who took charge at Morecambe last weekend, before making the final decision based on what he sees in training on Friday.

Since the 4-1 defeat at the Globe Arena, loan pair Aaron Collins and Vadaine Oliver have returned to their parent clubs.

Mansfield, meanwhile, will be without central defender Kyle Howkins after he limped off in the EFL Trophy win over Oldham in midweek.

However, the West Brom loan player looks set to be replaced in the back four by Hayden White after he joined the Stags on loan from Peterborough for the rest of the season.

White is a right-back so Rhys Bennett will probably be moved into the centre to fill in for Howkins.

Recent signings Joel Byrom and Ben Whiteman come back into contention after being cup-tied against Oldham.

Stags boss Steve Evans hopes to make another signing in time for the short trip to Meadow Lane but it remains to be seen if that deal gets done in time.

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Stat Attack: Morecambe vs. Notts County, Saturday 7 January 2017

Fri, 06 Jan 2017 20:05:32 +0000

Notts County and Morecambe have met nine times in their history, with the first ever clash taking place less than 10 years ago, in September 2007.

On that day, it ended as a 1-1 draw, Michael Twiss putting the visitors ahead at Meadow Lane in the first half, before Richard Butcher equalised in the 87th minute.

The Shrimpers have a slight advantage, with four wins over Notts, three draws and two defeats.

Our last meeting, in October 2016, saw Morecambe claim a 2-1 win, as Tom Barkhuizen's brace put them two goals to the good at the Lane, before Vadaine Oliver grabbed a consolation in the 90th minute.

The fixture on 19 September 2009 was former Arsenal and England legend Sol Campbell's only game in a Magpies shirt, while the rematch later in the season, on 17 April 2010, is when Notts mathematically secured promotion to League One.

Football in the town dates back to the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until 7 May 1920 that Morecambe FC was formed. The club then took its place in the Lancashire Combination League for the 1920–21 season.

The fourteen years from 1960 could be said to be Morecambe's golden era. This included an FA Cup third round appearance in 1961–62, a 1–0 defeat to Weymouth; a Lancashire Senior Cup Final victory in 1968, a 2–1 win over Burnley; and an FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1974, a 2–1 win over Dartford in the final.

Morecambe, a non-league side for most of their history, were promoted to the Football League for the first time in 2007 after winning the Conference Playoff Final, beating Exeter City 2–1 at Wembley in front of over 40,000 fans.

Morecambe was a thriving seaside resort in the mid-20th century. While the resort of Blackpool attracted holiday-makers predominantly from the Lancashire mill towns, Morecambe had more visitors from Yorkshire, due to its railway connection, and Scotland.

Between 1956 and 1989 Morecambe was the home of the Miss Great Britain beauty contest.

Team news

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley will begin a two-match touchline ban when his side host Notts on Saturday in League Two.

The Football Association said Bentley would serve the suspension with immediate effect after being charged over an incident in the 2-1 loss to Cheltenham on December 17, when he was sent to the stands for his reaction to a red card for Alex Kenyon.

Kenyon is now available to make his comeback having completed the suspension that resulted from that red card.

Cole Stockton, Ntumba Massanka, Alex Whitmore and James Jennings have all returned to their parent clubs with their loans at Morecambe having expired, while Aaron McGowan looks set to miss out after coming off injured in Monday's 0-0 draw with Crewe.

Alan Smith is set to take charge of his first game as Notts County's interim player-manager at Globe Arena.

John Sheridan was sacked following Monday's 4-0 defeat by Cambridge United, their ninth league loss in a row.

Winger Alex Rodman was released on Thursday and joined Shrewsbury Town, while defender Matt Tootle will hope to feature after missing the last two games with a knock.

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Stat Attack: Cambridge United vs. Notts County, Monday 2 January 2017

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 09:54:40 +0000

Notts and Cambridge United have met 26 times in their history, with the first meeting coming on Boxing Day 1970.

The result on that day? A resounding 4-1 win to the Magpies at Meadow Lane.

Notts hold the advantage in the head to head, with 11 wins, 7 draws and 8 defeats against the U’s.

Recent form is not good, however - we've lost our last three meetings against Cambridge.

The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United before taking the name Cambridge United in 1951.

It first competed in the Football League in 1970 and stayed there until relegation in 2005, nine seasons in the Conference following until climbing back out of non-league.

Cambridge have had two spells in the league's second tier, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice and Football League Cup once during the early 1990s, the club's most successful era to date.

United's highest ever finishing place in the Football League is fifth in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, competing in a season-ending four team playoff for the final promotion slot to the Premier League's inaugural season.

The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, approximately 1.86 miles east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 8,127, made up of terracing and seated areas.

During their days in Division Two, with John Beck at the helm in the 1980's, the club earned a reputation for bizarre training methods and "dirty tricks" to make their opponents feel ill at ease.

These included freezing cold showers for his own players, dirty changing rooms and deflated kick-about balls for the opposition and long grass in the corners of the pitch to slow the long balls into those areas, allowing the U’s forwards to reach them.

Beck carried on his dirty tricks even after leaving to take charge of Preston North End – taking nine of the Cambridge United players with him.

He was not the only famous manager at the club, with Ron Atkinson taking the club from Fourth to Second division and Ex-England and Derby County centre-half Roy McFarland also sitting in the hot seat.

Before their entry into the League, a local animal sanctuary had an escapee and it was found grazing on the pitch at the Abbey Stadium. This lead to the moose connection with the club, and in the club shop you can buy a range of moose souvenirs to show your allegiance to the U’s.

Famous alumni include Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, while famous fans include football commentator Gary Newbon and Tom Findlay of Groove Armada.

And connecting the two clubs – none other than former Notts manager Shaun Derry, now a the helm of the U’s.

Team news

Cambridge will check on George Maris ahead of the visit of Notts County after the midfielder missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient with a knock.

Barry Corr and Medy Elito are still out with knee injuries but should be back next month.

Joe Pigott is fit after injury and illness having returned as a late substitute at Brisbane Road.

Notts defender Matt Tootle is hoping to shake off a knock in time to feature after missing Saturday's home defeat to Carlisle United.

Manager John Sheridan, who will serve the fourth game of his five-match touchline ban, is likely to make changes.

Haydn Hollis, Jordan Richards and Adam Campbell are all pushing for recalls after dropping to the bench against Carlisle.

The Magpies have lost their last eight league games and are one point above the relegation zone.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Carlisle United, Saturday 31 December 2016

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:24:58 +0000

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on 30 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians.

Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 11, with just 3 draws.

Our last two meetings, which took place last season, ended in a 3-0 defeat and a 5-0 defeat for Notts.

Carlisle United is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).

Team news

Notts County will be boosted by the return of captain Michael O'Connor when they host Carlisle United on New Year's Eve.

The midfielder is available for selection after completing a three-game suspension following his sending off against Wycombe Wanderers on December 10.

Defender Matt Tootle should be fit to play after picking up a knock which forced him to be substituted against Doncaster on Boxing Day.

Wes Atkinson is also eligible to take part after being recalled from his loan at Gateshead.

Notts manager John Sheridan will once again be in the stands as he serves the third match of a five-game touchline ban.

Carlisle defender Danny Grainger is out with a knee injury which means Macaulay Gillesphey will continue to deputise.

Manager Keith Curle is keen to extend the on-loan Newcastle left-back's stay beyond the two matches he has remaining.

Midfielder Mike Jones is missing with an ankle problem.

Fellow midfielder Russell Penn returned to the club after his loan spell at Gateshead expired on Boxing Day and could be in contention for a squad place.

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Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Doncaster Rovers, Monday 26 December 2016

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 15:35:38 +0000

Notts County have met Doncaster Rovers 54 times over the years, with the first fixture coming on the 13th December 1930. On that occasion, an FA Cup tie, the Magpies triumphed 1-0.

It's perfectly poised between Notts and Doncaster, both boasting 23 wins each, plus eight draws.

Our last meeting came on 25 April 2015, a league clash at Meadow Lane, and the Magpies won 2-1.

Our recent form over Donny is not bad - four wins, a draw and just one defeat in the last six.

The team's mascot is a brown dog known as Donny Dog, who wears the red and white Rovers jersey.

Arguably the club's most famous fan is One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson. The 22-year-old had agreed to play in a charity game at the Keepmoat to raise money for the Bluebell Wood Charity and was offered a deal by Donny to join the club on non-contract terms after impressing in the game.

Team news

Notts County boss John Sheridan has an unchanged squad as he looks to arrest a miserable run of results at home to title-chasing Doncaster Rovers.

The 52-year-old, whose side have lost their last six league matches and have won only once in their last 11 League Two games, could make changes to his team after the FA Cup replay defeat at Peterborough United this week.

The likes of Carl Dickinson, Louis Laing, Vadaine Oliver, Adam Campbell and Aaron Collins could come into Sheridan's starting line-up.

Sheridan will not be in the dugout as he serves the second of his five-match touchline ban while captain Michael O'Connor completes his three-game ban and Alex Rodman and Stanley Aborah remain out injured.

Defender Craig Alcock will be available to Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson after returning to full fitness.

However, skipper James Coppinger will sit out once again as he serves the second match of a three-game ban following his red card during the 2-0 defeat at Plymouth on December 10.

Ferguson has no fresh selection problems with Gary McSheffrey,, Mitchell Lund, Luke McCullough and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair still missing.

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Preview: Peterborough United vs. Notts County, Tuesday 20 December 2016

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:12:00 +0000

Peterborough United manager Grant McCann is expected to name an unchanged side as the League One club hosts Notts County for a place in the FA Cup third round.

Striker Lee Angol completes his three-game ban for his red card in the original tie, when Louis Laing completed the Magpies' comeback in injury time.

Forward Marcus Maddison, who has not featured since that game, remains sidelined with an ankle injury while on-loan midfielder George Moncur is ineligible.

Posh have won five of their last six League One games to sit sixth in the table, 38 places above the Magpies on the football pyramid.

Notts captain Michael O'Connor will sit out the second game of his three-match suspension after he was red-carded against Wycombe Wanderers earlier this month.

Magpies midfielder Curtis Thompson could keep his place, though, after making his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Colchester United over the weekend.

County have endured a run of six successive League Two defeats and manager John Sheridan will also be missing Stanley Aborah and Alex Rodman for the trip to London Road.

Midfielder Aborah has not featured since the first-round tie at Boreham Wood due to a number of niggling injuries while winger Rodman is also suffering from a series of minor setbacks.

The reward for the victor tonight is a bumper third-round FA Cup tie at Premier League leaders Chelsea.

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Stat Attack: Colchester United vs. Notts County, Saturday 17 December 2016

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 08:33:13 +0000

Notts County have met Colchester United a modest 41 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988.

Notts hold the marginal upper edge, having won 20 games to Colchester's 14, with 8 draws.

All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.

The recent history between those two sides is very positive for the Magpies - we have won the last six games against the Essex side, by an aggregate score of 18-3!