Articles: Pride of Nottingham (Notts County Community)

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Plymouth Argyle, Tuesday 16 August 2016

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:16:33 +0000

Notts County and Plymouth Argyle have met a total of 44 times over the years, with the Magpies winning 23 times; the Pilgrims have triumphed 12 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.

Plymouth's premier team 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 certain Pele in their ranks. However, 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.

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Louis Laing could be back in the Notts team against Plymouth on Tuesday night after rejoining the Magpies on loan from Motherwell, having had a previous loan spell at Meadow Lane in 2014 while on the books at city rivals Nottingham Forest.

The defender might go straight into the team with boss John Sheridan likely to make some changes after describing his side's second-half showing against Stevenage on Saturday as a "shambles".

The likes of Alan Smith, Genaro Snijders, Elliott Hewitt, Adam Campbell and Graham Burke are also options for Sheridan.

Plymouth boss Derek Adams could once again ring the changes for the trip after his side slipped to a third straight defeat in all competitions at Carlisle United on Saturday.

Adams made 14 signings during a summer of change at Home Park and defender Nauris Bulvitis became their 11th debutant of the season against the Cumbrians after international clearance came through on Friday.

Connor Smith replaced David Ijaha for the start of the second half at Brunton Park and could well have played himself into the starting line-up after an impressive showing.

How will Notts fare against Plymouth? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Stevenage, Saturday 13 August 2016

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:36:26 +0000

Notts County and Stevenage FC have only ever met nine 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.

Our head-to-head record is pretty simple: five wins for Notts, four wins for Stevenage, no draws.

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. 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.

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Michael O'Connor is expected to be included in the Notts County squad for the first time this season when Stevenage visit Meadow Lane.

The midfielder, signed from Port Vale in June, has been nursing a hamstring injury but Magpies manager John Sheridan said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday that O'Connor is now fit.

Stevenage boss Darren Sarll could keep the starting XI who shocked Ipswich Town in the cup in midweek.

Ben Kennedy, who scored the winner at Portman Road, started his side's opening-day defeat to Crewe Alexandra on the bench but could now be rewarded with a starting spot on Saturday.

New signing Rowan Liburd should keep his place in attack after making his debut on Tuesday night.

Dean Wells was taken off at Ipswich with a tight hamstring but should be fit to start while Ronnie Henry is questionable for the trip.

How will Notts get on against Stevenage? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Stat Attack: Scunthorpe United vs. Notts County, Tuesday 9 August 2016

Mon, 08 Aug 2016 17:19:56 +0000

Notts County against Scunthorpe United is a relatively new fixture in English football - the first time these two faced off was on the 4th January 1969 in the old Division Four.

On that day, goals by George Kerr and Nigel Cassidy gave the Iron a 2-1 victory (Richie Barker netted the consolation for the Magpies).

Since then, the two sides have played 27 games, and the record is firmly in the Magpies' favour, winning 18, drawing 4 and losing just 5.

Scunthorpe United were formed in 1899. In 1910 they merged with local rivals Lindsey United to become Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, and joined the Midland Football League in 1912.

In 1950 the club was accepted into the Football League, ahead of Workington and Wigan Athletic, when the league structure was expanded, with the "Lindsey" part of the name being dropped shortly after.

Ever since the club entered the league their nickname has been ‘The Iron’, a metal which has long played a role in the team’s nomenclature. Before 1950s Scunthorpe United were known as the Knuts.

The origin is uncertain but it is generally accepted as being when they won one of the local charity cups. The vicar of Frodingham, the Rev Cryspant Rust, said “that indeed Scunthorpe and Lindsey United were a tough (k)nut to beat”.

For a small club, the Iron have an impressive roll call of former players and managers. The most notable is Kevin Keegan, one of England's greatest ever footballers, who played for Scunny between 1966 and 1971.

Other alumni, either in a playing or managing capacity, include Ray Clemence, cricketer Ian Botham, Ian Storey-Moore, Neil Warnock, Jermaine Beckford, Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh, and former Leicester City manager Nigel Adkins, who used to be the club's physiotherapist.

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Midfielder Sam Mantom is in contention to make his Scunthorpe United debut on Tuesday against Notts County, after his summer move to Glanford Park from League One rivals Walsall, while striker Paddy Madden remains sidelined with a calf strain.

Notts County captain Michael O'Connor is unlikely to lead the Magpies for the first time as he is yet to prove his fitness after an injury-hit pre-season.

Boss John Sheridan, however, is expected to make a number of changes following the 2-0 defeat by Yeovil Town.

How will Notts fare at Scunthorpe United? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Yeovil Town vs. Notts County, 6 August 2016

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 17:48:00 +0000

Notts County and Yeovil Town have only met 13 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 12 meetings following that game all took place between 2004 and 2016.

Yeovil have the upper edge in the head-to-head with 6 wins, 5 defeats and 2 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, and 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.

Yeovil is a pretty small town, home to just 40,000 people - two Meadow Lanes' worth of people could comfortably take in the entire population!

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Yeovil captain Darren Ward is a doubt for their opening League Two clash against Notts County on Saturday - he is still recovering from a knee injury.

Alex Lawless could make his debut after securing a deal at Huish Park, following his release from Luton Town.

Swansea loan duo Liam Shephard and Ryan Hedges should feature but frontman Francois Zoko, formerly of Notts, is set to miss out as he struggles for fitness.

John Sheridan's first competitive match as Magpies boss will most likely see several players making their bows for the club.

Striker Vadaine Oliver became the club's eighth signing of the summer when he joined on loan from York City earlier this week.

Rob Milsom will not be available but should be able to play in a couple of weeks, while fellow midfielder Curtis Thompson remains sidelined by an ankle injury and new captain Michael O'Connor is also unavailable for the game.

How will Notts fare against Yeovil? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Carlisle United, Saturday 7th May 2016

Fri, 06 May 2016 21:26:25 +0000

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on just 29 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 10, with just 3 draws.

Our last meeting was on 19 December 2015, as 3,067 Carlisle fans who made the 170-mile round trip to Preston North End's stadium - during a time of horrendous floods in Cumbria - saw their side comfortably beat Notts 3-0.

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).

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.

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Liam Noble will miss Notts County's game against Carlisle as he serves the second game of his five-match suspension following his third red card of the season.

Izale McLeod came on as a last-minute substitute in last weekend's 1-0 victory at Newport County and could push for a start.

Curtis Thompson's long-term ankle injury, meanwhile, will rule him out of the Magpies' final game of the season as he looks to recover in time for pre-season.

Jon Stead looks set to lead the line after completing 90 minutes at Newport unscathed after sustaining a head injury in the previous match.

Winger Jack Stacey has been recalled by parent club Reading and will miss Carlisle's trip, while Hallam Hope will come back into the squad, with the striker having completed a three-game ban for the Cumbrians.

Defender David Atkinson returned to the bench as an unused substitute in last weekend's 2-0 home loss to Oxford following a hamstring injury but could play some part.

Young midfielder Patrick Brough filled in for Macauley Gillesphey when he failed a fitness test and will do so again if the on-loan Newcastle winger is still not fit.

How will Notts fare in their final game of the season? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Newport County vs. Notts County, 30 April 2016

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 18:00:00 +0000

Notts County and Newport County have met a total of 45 times over the years, the first fixture coming in 1930, which the Magpies won 3-2.

The head-to-head record is skewed in the Magpies’ favour, with 24 wins, 9 draws and 12 defeats. Our last meeting, in December last year, was a thrilling affair, with Liam Noble bagging a 96th-minute winner in a 4-3 victory at Meadow Lane.

Notts’s record league win is against Newport – an 11-1 victory. We have also beaten them 5-0, 6-2, 7-0, 6-0 and 8-1 over the years.

Newport County, originally nicknamed "The Ironsides" due to Newport being home to Lysaght's Orb Works steel works, started out in the Southern League in 1912 at Somerton Park.

The official name of the club was The Newport & Monmouth County Association Football Club, although the shorter Newport County was soon adopted.

The club were reformed in 1919 and were first elected to the Football League in 1920.

Newport County were Welsh Cup winners in 1980 and subsequently reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1981.

The club was relegated from the Football League in 1988 and went out of business in February 1989, but reformed shortly afterwards and entered the English football league system at a much lower level. In 2013 the club then won promotion back to the Football League for the first time since 1988.

In the 1970s and 1980s comedian Frank Carson was appointed as a Director and Vice President in order to raise the profile of the club.

Newport based rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain are also supporters of the club and were the team's shirt sponsors for the 2004–05 season FAW Premier Cup matches.

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Newport confirmed their League Two status with last weekend's draw against Luton Town and boss Warren Feeney looks poised to call up academy products Liam Angel, Kieran Parselle and Tom Owen-Evans for their dead rubber against Notts.

Striker Tom Meechan can also expect a first-team chance as the Exiles wind up their season with their final two games, against the Magpies and, a week later, against AFC Wimbledon.

Elsewhere, there could be a recall for defender Matt Partridge following his three-month injury absence, with Feeney thought to be considering resting Darren Jones and Andrew Hughes.

Notts will once again be without the suspended Liam Noble after his red card last weekend. His third dismissal of the season, and his sixth in the past two campaigns, has seen the midfielder hit with a five-match ban and he will sit out the remaining two games of this season as well as the opening three matches of 2016-17.

Elsewhere, strikers Jon Stead and Izale McLeod are serious doubts for the trip to Wales and Curtis Thompson's ankle injury will keep him out.

Stead missed the defeat to Cambridge United after suffering concussion against Barnet and he will have to prove his fitness, while McLeod is also struggling, having had an upset stomach which also forced him to miss last weekend's game against ex-boss Shaun Derry's team.

How will the Magpies fare against Newport? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Preview: Barnet vs Notts County, Tuesday 19 April 2016

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Notts County and Barnet have met each other just 14 times over the years. The first fixture came on 1 November 1997, with the Magpies earning a 2-1 away win in Division 3.

Notts have 8 wins against the Bees, with 3 defeats and 3 draws.

The last fixture was the league reverse n 24 November 2015, with the Magpies winning 4-2 at Meadow Lane.

Luke Gambin could be in line for a return to the Barnet starting XI after coming on as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wycombe and contributing to their recovery from a goal down.

Gavin Hoyte remains injured and will again miss out despite edging closer to a return.

Shaun Batt, meanwhile, is among those pushing to start should manager Martin Allen be tempted to tweak his line-up.

Notts County will once more check on Curtis Thompson after the midfielder missed the last three matches through injury.

Magpies manager Mark Cooper saw his side thrashed 5-0 at local rivals Mansfield Town on Saturday but insists he will not be making too many changes to the starting line up at The Hive.

"We don't have too many realistic opportunities or options to change the team, really," said Cooper. "There might be one or two changes but those who let the supporters down so badly on Saturday, and ruined a lot of people's weekends, will have to go out and try to put that right."

Thompson, if fit, could be one of the players to come into contention while Cooper also has the likes of Roy Carroll, Mawouna Amevor, Alan Smith, Adam Campbell and teenager Montel Gibson to call on.

How will Notts cope against Barnet? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Mansfield Town vs. Notts County, Saturday 16 April 2016

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:05:15 +0000

Notts County and Mansfield Town have met 46 times over the years, the first fixture coming in October 1937, a 2-0 win for the Magpies in Division Three (South). Out of the 44 games, Notts have the upper hand with 17 wins, 14 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 is pretty average, standing at three wins, three defeats, and four draws.

Our last meeting was a win, the Stags beaten 3-1 at Meadow Lane in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on the 1st September 2015.

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.

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Team News

Mansfield Town

Stags midfielder Colin Daniel is doubtful for their League 2 derby game with Notts County on Saturday afternoon.

The 28-year-old, on loan from Port Vale, was forced off with a back injury after opening the scoring in last weekend's 2-1 win at Carlisle United.

Mal Benning impressed after replacing Daniel and could be in line to start, while Emmanuel Dieseruvwe should shake off a knock picked up at Carlisle to feature.

Krystian Pearce and Chris Clements are absent again via suspension and hamstring injury respectively.

Notts County

The visitors will check on Curtis Thompson after the midfielder missed the back-to-back 1-0 home wins against Stevenage and Hartlepool United through injury.

Magpies manager Mark Cooper made only one change in midweek and any alterations will again be kept to a minimum as Notts look to record three straight league victories for the first time since October 2014.

Teenager Montel Gibson made his debut as a late substitute against Hartlepool and he is set to be involved again, with Cooper hinting that more of the club's youngsters might feature in the remaining fixtures.

Can Notts County get the better of Mansfield? Share your thoughts with Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Preview: Notts County vs. Hartlepool United, Tuesday 12 April 2016

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 19:49:49 +0000

Notts County manager Mark Cooper is expected to have an unchanged squad for the visit of Hartlepool United in Tuesday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane.

It was thought that Curtis Thompson might return to contention after missing the home win against Stevenage at the weekend through injury, but Cooper said at his pre-match press conference on Monday that the midfielder will remain sidelined.

Long term absentees Blair Adams and Will Hayhurst both remain out and are unlikely to play again this season.

Tuesday's visitors are expected to make a number of changes to his line-up after their Football League status was confirmed on Saturday.

Pools claimed a 5-2 victory at Morecambe on Saturday and are now 16th in League Two, 18 points ahead of second-bottom York City.

That means manager Craig Hignett could use the remaining games to rotate his squad with a view to next season and the likes of defenders Dan Jones, Scott Harrison and Michael Duckworth, midfielders Josh Laurent and Brad Walker and striker Rakish Bingham could get a run-out.

Hignett, whose side have lost just once in their last nine matches, is also monitoring the fitness of top scorer Billy Paynter as well as Matthew Bates and Jake Carroll.

Can Notts secure their Football League status with a win over Hartlepool? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Stevenage FC, 9 April 2016

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:55:39 +0000

Notts County and Stevenage FC have only ever met eight 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.

Our head-to-head record is pretty simple: four wins for Notts, four wins for Stevenage, no draws. Our last two games have both resulted in wins, the last meeting taking place earlier this season.

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.

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.

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.

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Notts County manager Mark Cooper is facing somewhat of an injury crisis for his side's League Two clash against Stevenage FC at Meadow Lane, as he will be missing Curtis Thompson, Rob Milsom, Graham Burke, Blair Adams and Will Hayhurst.

After Izale McLeod's lively performance as a substitute at Northampton Town, the ex-Swindon Town boss could decide to slot him back into the starting XI.

Striker Greg Luer is a doubt for Stevenage after going off with a knock in Tuesday's goalless draw with Yeovil Town, which has left Boro 10 points clear of the drop zone with six games to go.

Byron Harrison recovered from illness to replace Luer and could start again, while midfielder Chris Whelpdale made his first appearance since Boxing Day following a groin problem and could also start.

Midfielder Keith Keane missed the Glovers game with a knock and could again be a doubt, while Steven Schumacher and Dave McAllister are long-term absentees.

Predict the scoreline and scorers for the League Two clash between Notts County and Stevenage by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Wycombe Wanderers, 28 March 2016

Sun, 27 Mar 2016 14:24:06 +0000

Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers have faced each other a total of 31 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 15 times and drawn eight – we have beaten them just eight times.

We last faced off on 15 December 2015, a League Two game at Adams Park which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The fixture has been a high-scoring affair in recent years – our last five meetings have yielded 18 goals. Both sides have also scored in the last four – worth a BTTS bet perhaps?

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, but the Reds claimed a 2–1 victory.

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Notts County manager could make changes to his side after describing their defending in Friday’s 4-0 defeat at Portsmouth as “park football”.

With Blair Adams likely to remain out with a foot injury, Rhys Sharpe, Wes Atkinson or Mike Edwards are options to come into the team in defence.

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll is still away on international duty with Northern Ireland so Scott Loach is expected to remain between the posts, with Kevin Pilkington on the bench.

Wycombe's promotion challenge has been dealt a blow with an injury to Sam Wood - the winger suffered a knee injury against Mansfield Town and early indications are the problem could keep him out for a few weeks.

Jerell Sellars replaced Wood in the eighth minute on Friday and the on-loan Aston Villa youngster could now make his full debut at Meadow Lane.

Wanderers will also be without Marcus Bean through suspension – the midfielder incurred a three-game ban for his sending-off at Carlisle United on 19 March.

Can Notts County get a result against Wycombe Wanderers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Portsmouth vs. Notts County, 25 March 2016

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Notts County and Portsmouth have met a total of 27 times over the years, the first meeting coming on the 20th November 1926, which the Magpies lost 3-2 at Meadow Lane.

We have beaten Portsmouth 12 times and played out six draws, with the South Coast side winning on nine occasions.

The last meeting, at Meadow Lane on 31 October 2015, was won 2-1 by Notts - making it four consecutive wins over Pompey between September 2012 and October 2015, two in League One, one in League Two, and one in the FA Cup.

Between December 1992 and December 1994 the two teams played each other six times, with Notts failing to get a win in a run that saw three draws and three defeats.

Portsmouth have been champions of England twice, in 1949 and 1950. The club has also won the FA Cup on two occasions, firstly in 1939 and most recently in 2008, and also reached the final of the competition in 2010.

Portsmouth were moderately successful in the first decade of the 21st century, especially during the 2007–08 Premier League season, when they won the FA Cup, beating Cardiff City 1-0 in the final.

They subsequently qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup competing against European heavyweights such as seven-times European Cup winners A.C. Milan.

During this period, Portsmouth were recognised to have a large number of international footballers, including England players Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, as well as Peter Crouch, David James and Sol Campbell.

However, financial problems soon set in and Portsmouth were relegated to the Football League Championship in 2010. In 2012 they were again relegated, to League One, and again, in 2013, to League Two.

They began the 2013–14 season in the fourth tier of the English football league system for the first time since the late 1970s.

Portsmouth became the largest fan-owned football club in England, after the Pompey Supporters Trust (PST) successfully gained possession of Fratton Park in April 2013.

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Portsmouth amnager Paul Cook will choose between teenager Alex Bass or the recalled Paul Jones to start in goal when the South Coast outfit welcomes Notts County on Good Friday.

First-choice keeper Ryan Fulton has been called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad and Brian Murphy is out with a calf injury.

New signing Conor Wilkinson will not be available for either of the Easter games after joining on loan from Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.

The striker is currently away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland's Under-21 side but will join training with Pompey next week.

New Notts boss Mark Cooper is to offer Stanley Aborah a fresh start after he confirmed the midfielder will feature at Fratton Park.

The 28-year-old appeared to be on his way out of County after the club stated he had requested to leave on two occasions, but Cooper is set to hand him his first outing since 2 January.

Blair Adams will miss Cooper's first game in charge after sustaining a foot injury in the 4-1 defeat at home to Exeter City last weekend.

The only other absentee is winger Will Hayhurst, who has not played this season because of a cruciate knee ligament injury and is not expected to be fit again until the summer.

Will Notts win, draw or lose against Portsmouth? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Exeter City, 19 March 2016

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:38:01 +0000

Notts County and Exeter City have met a total of 41 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 40 games, Notts claimed a result in 33, with 16 wins and 18 draws.

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 oscillated 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.

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Notts County boss Jamie Fullarton has an almost fully fit squad to choose from as his search for a first home win continues against Exeter City at Meadow Lane.

Will Hayhurst remains the club's only long-term absentee, having not played this season because of a cruciate knee ligament injury, and is not expected to be fit again until the summer.

Defender Andrew Boyce, on loan from Scunthorpe United, is set to make his home debut on Saturday after playing in the away defeat at Yeovil Town.

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale, meanwhile, is set to name the same XI for a third straight game.

Forward Alex Nicholls is still missing as the club await specialist advice before a mask can be fitted to protect his fractured eye socket.

Ollie Watkins will continue to deputise, having scored twice in three games since moving into the starting line-up.

The Grecians are unbeaten in four league games, including away wins over Stevenage and Cambridge United.

How do you think Notts will get on against Exeter? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Yeovil Town vs. Notts County, 12 March 2016

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 18:00:00 +0000

Notts County and Yeovil Town have only met 12 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 11 meetings following that game all took place between 2004 and 2015.

The last game took place earlier this season on 17 October 2015, with Ricardo Moniz's side triumphing 2-0 at Meadow Lane.

The record stands evenly poised for both sides at 5 wins, 5 defeats and 2 draws.

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.

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.

Yeovil is a pretty small town, home to just 40,000 people - two Meadow Lanes could comfortably take in the entire population!

In the 21st century, Yeovil became the first town in Britain to institute a system of biometric fingerprint scanning in nightclubs, and the first English council to ban the children's craze Heelys (those trainers with wheels that popped out from the heels).

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Yeovil host Notts at Huish Park on the back of three wins and an unbeaten run that stretches to five games, with four clean sheets along the way for good measure. The Magpies, in contrast, have not won in five and have also lost four of those.

On-loan Scunthorpe United defender Andrew Boyce is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Yeovil, after his loan move was finally completed midweek. His arrival should allow Elliott Hewitt to move back to right-back.

The only long-term Magpies absentee is Will Hayhurst, who is on the mend from a cruciate ligament injury.

Darren Way has no new injury concerns going into the game with long-term absentees Wes Fogden, Jordan Gibbons and Omar Sowunmi the only ones out. Meanwhile Jack Compton and Liam Walsh have been back in training this week and could well make the squad.

Leroy Lita is also in line for his debut after signing on a free transfer until the end of the season last week.

How do you think this game will pan out? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Bristol Rovers

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:05:12 +0000

Notts County and Bristol Rovers have met a grand total of 86 times over their history, with the first fixture coming on the 11th January 1913, a 2-0 win for the Pirates in the FA Cup at their former home ground, the Eastville Stadium.

The Magpies have claimed 31 wins and 29 draws against Rovers, whilst falling to 26 defeats.

The club was founded in 1883 as Black Arabs F.C., and were also known as Eastville Rovers and Bristol Eastville Rovers before finally changing its name to Bristol Rovers in 1899.

The club's official nickname is The Pirates, reflecting the maritime history of Bristol. The local nickname of the club is The Gas, from the gasworks next to their former home Eastville Stadium, which started as a derogatory term used by fans of their main rival Bristol City but was affectionately adopted by the team.

Rovers were admitted to the Football League in 1920 and have played there ever since, apart from spending the 2014–15 season in the Conference Premier.

They previously came close to losing their league status in 1939, when they were re-elected after finishing bottom of Division Three (South), and in 2002 when the team finished one league position away from relegation to the Football Conference.

Their highest finishing positions were in 1956 and 1959, on both occasions ending the season in 6th place in Division Two, then the second tier of English football.

The only major cup competition won by Bristol Rovers is the 1972 Watney Cup, when they beat Sheffield United in the final. The club also won the Division Three (South) Cup in 1934–35, as well as winning or sharing the Gloucestershire Cup on 32 occasions.

The team has never played in European competition; the closest Rovers came was when they missed out on reaching the international stage of the Anglo-Italian Cup in the 1992–93 season on a coin toss held over the phone with West Ham United.

In the FA Cup, Rovers have reached the quarter-final stage on three occasions. The first time was in 1950–51 when they faced Newcastle United at St James' Park in front of a crowd of 62,787, the record for the highest attendance at any Bristol Rovers match.

The second time they reached the quarter final was in 1957–58, when they lost to Fulham, and the most recent appearance at this stage of the competition was during the 2007–08 season, when they faced West Bromwich Albion.

They were the first Division Three team to win an FA Cup tie away to a Premier League side, when in 2002 they beat Derby County 3–1 at Pride Park Stadium.

They have twice reached the final of the Football League Trophy, in 1989–90 and 2006–07, but finished runners-up on both occasions. On the second occasion they did not allow a single goal against them in the competition en route to the final, but conceded the lead less than a minute after the final kicked off.

Actor Nick Frost is a Bristol Rovers fan, with his character Danny Butterman seen wearing a club shirt in the 2007 film Hot Fuzz.

The retired Conservative MP for Hayes and Harlington Terry Dicks, is also a Gas fan. He mentioned the club in parliament on 5 May 1994 when debating with Labour MP and Chelsea fan Tony Banks.

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Notts County midfielder Rob Milsom is the biggest concern for current manager Jamie Fullarton, after having limped out of the goal-less draw against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.

Should he not be fit, Liam Noble is likely to come into his place in the centre of midfield, having played as a second half substitute against the East London side.

Scot Bennett is still working on his fitness and could be available again at Meadow Lane, having picked up a knock in the 2-0 win at Luton Town last month.

Winger Will Hayhurst is still recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury and is almost certain to be out, while Stanley Aborah is unlikely to be selected following the public fallout between himself and the club this week.

Fullarton also has a decision to make regarding the goalkeeper after he played Scott Loach on Tuesday, having opted to rest Roy Carroll.

How do you think Notts will fare against Bristol Rovers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Dagenham & Redbridge

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 22:00:00 +0000

Notts County and Dagenham & Redbridge have met just nine times, and all the meetings have come in the last nine years.

The first clash was back on 15 September 2007, when the Magpies beat the Daggers 1-0 at Meadow Lane in League Two.

Last time round, on 29 September 2015, the East London side drew 1-1 against Notts at Victoria Road in the league.

Notts are just ahead in terms of head-to-head, with four wins to their opponents’ three, plus two draws.

Based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, the club was formed in 1992 through a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham.

The club can trace back its ancestry to 1881 as Redbridge Forest was an amalgamation of three of the amateur game's most famous clubs, Ilford, Leytonstone and Walthamstow Avenue.

Between the clubs they won the FA Trophy once, FA Amateur Cup seven times, Isthmian League 20 times, Athenian League six times, Essex Senior Cup 26 times and London Senior Cup 23 times.

Tony Roberts, the club’s record appearance holder with 507 games over 10 years, is the only goalkeeper in the history of the FA Cup to have scored a goal from open play. He netted against Basingstoke Town in October 2001, a fourth qualifying round.

The highest ever scoreline in the first leg of a play off game is now held by Dagenham & Redbridge, who defeated Morecambe 6–0 on 16 May 2010, although they could not build on this afterwards with a 2–1 defeat in the second leg.

The Daggers also hold the record for highest scoring penalty shootout in professional football history, defeating Leyton Orient in the second round of the Football League Trophy 14–13, 27 penalties in total, on 8 September 2011.

This was later equalled, but not bettered, by Liverpool who beat Middlesbrough in a League Cup penalty shoot out by the same score in September 2014.

In addition, they hold the joint highest aggregate score in a League Cup match, with 12 – On 12 August 2014, Dagenham & Redbridge drew 6–6 after extra time at home with Brentford in the first round of the League Cup. They went on to lose 4–2 on penalties.

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Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has no new problems as his search for a first home win in charge continues against Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Magpies fell to theit third straight defeat on Saturday, but the Scot has plenty of options at his disposal should he wish to make changes, with the likes of Alan Smith, Liam Noble, Graham Burke, Thierry Audel and Izale McLeod all starting on the bench at Plymouth Argyle.

Defender Scot Bennett, meanwhile, has missed the last four games with injury and he will be checked on once more.

Rock-bottom Dagenham, who are without a win since January 2 and on a five-game losing streak, remain without a trio of players.

Midfielders Luke Guttridge and Frankie Raymond have missed three and two matches respectively due to ankle injuries that are set to keep them out for another month.

Forward Zavon Hines, meanwhile, is a long-term absentee with a knee issue.

How do you think Notts will get on against the Daggers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Stat Attack: Plymouth Argyle vs. Notts County

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:10:00 +0000

Notts County and Plymouth Argyle have met a total of 43 times over the years, with the Magpies winning 23 times; the Pilgrims have triumphed 11 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.

We met earlier in the League Two season, on 11 October 2015 at Meadow Lane; Reuben Reid struck on 18 and 86 minutes to give the Pilgrims the win.

Plymouth club 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.