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Loyal to the Lane: The Chris Buckley Blog

A blog by Chris in General

  • Entries

    26

  • Comments

    72

  • Views

    38,321

About this blog

Within this blog I aim to give an insight into the development of the Pride of Nottingham website, along with various updates, behind the scenes items and some personal views/Notts blogs.

Entries in this blog

Personal

The Long Game: 13 Years of Community, Football, and Reflection

It's been a while since I wrote a blog; for me, the personal ones were aimed at a release, while the insightful ones about PON were more about behind-the-scenes information and updates. In fact, I am writing this as I go along, which will hopefully end up less like a random ramble but more like a case of reminding myself where I was. I have spent a lot of time reflecting, thinking about how differently I would have gone about things, given what I know now. You do make mistakes, but you have to o
PON

Giving back to fans of Notts County

Each season I try to give back to the community. Obviously, last season proved difficult, but as I was prepared to sort through all the prints I have made since 2018 - which proved to be a terrible season to start, I thought that there might be fans out there who might appreciate being given one. Whilst some fans collect programmes, I have accumulated various player prints from past seasons, and as a whole I have learned about not overstocking them. Heading into the 2021/22 season, my
Personal

It's a start; Getting back to Meadow Lane

I have intended to keep this blog updated, although it has fallen wayward - much like a lot of things have. Personally, I can't blame COVID or the lockdown. As I made a promise to myself last time, I felt in this position that I would own my actions, and attempt to move past them. Returning to Meadow Lane has been overwhelming, both in a good and an awkward way. I haven't really enjoyed how busy it has seemed, bar the Tuesday night game against Wealdstone which felt more like I know. At the
Personal

I can see clearly now (a positive blog, I think.....)

I’ve been trying to draft my thoughts for some time now, it’s not been coming so freely and, I have found that my depression/anxiety had taken a deep hold of me. I share these, not because I want sympathy but because I can reflect on things. I can also appreciate the support it sometimes gets too; this isn’t about attention but because it’s helpful to feel understood. The past 3 to 4 years, it’s been me trying to keep things a bit more locked up. With the lockdown effecting many m

Notts County's National League transformation & season thoughts

It’s a bit of a depressing time right now with the Coronavirus pandemic restricting day-to-day in so many ways, yet it’s essential that we protect each other and, stay connected in the digital world. The National League season seems to have gone by quite fast, for Notts there were some dips and natural moments where it seemed like stability would be the main thing to take from it; however, the club managed to persist moving forward. Before the suspension, I felt like the magpies’ form
  • Chris

Personal Entry: January 15th, 2020.

This blog is personal, as a result, it's not your typical read on Notts County, and I thought that I should warn potential readers before. It's not designed to be or written to be appreciated, understood or to attract comments. It's more a personal approach to how the individual feels if any reads are struggling with depression, anxiety or illness - please do reach out. Support will be out there, so give yourself a little care. I keep meaning to try to find myself, but my head and
  • Chris

Under the floodlights at Meadow Lane is the perfect way to start 2020 at home.

There was something special about watching the first home game of 2020 under the floodlights at Meadow Lane, and I’m impressed with how December went and more so due to the buzz which we as fans have created. Of course, credit where it is due. Neal Ardley and the squad have done amazingly well – especially after the 2nd set back to Jim O’Brien. Despite feeling like Jim would be a massive loss, I think Notts as a squad has coped well to setbacks like these. As I have mentioned, I m
  • Chris

2020: Art will be one of my focuses within the New Year.

I've wanted to touch upon this subject for some time; however, I tend to put it off. It's not the most exciting subject, but at the same time having somewhere, I can express my inner thoughts did offer me some focus in the past. Towards the end of 2019, I tend to find my mind the most proactive of the year. While some openly mock people for wanting to improve their lives, whether it be for real or just for the sake of a quick social status - depression can be worse for those who suffer
  • Chris

Too little, too late? Notts County's history and heritage will live on regardless

What a season the 2018/19 League Two campaign has been, never would have dreamt that Notts County would be on the verge of relegation from the Football League. It’s something I find very sad, certainly it’s not good to see the faces of worry in the crowd but you know what? This is football after all, once you brush off the hurt and come round. I think the majority will accept that having the club still in existence is the main thing. The community around the club is one I would c
  • Chris

How the poor start for Notts during the 2018-19 season has affected me

Things are weighing up on my mind a lot, I’m still in some form of shellshock from yesterday and I am truly disappointed – I honestly struggle to see past my current mood because it’s all very deflating. I attended the game against Yeovil yesterday with my son @super_pie, @Magic magpie and @super_ram. Leading into the game I wouldn’t have gone if Mark dropped out, I just wasn’t looking forward to it but not because I felt Notts would lose. I actually felt positive about the game a
  • Chris

Looking ahead to the 2018/19 season for Notts County

So, it’s the dawn of another new season for Notts and as the feeling has started to settle – I find myself really excited about the prospect of another good season for the club but also to pick up from last season. All the optimism I have right now is making me all the more eager to get the 2018-19 campaign underway. Last season, in reflection was a true rollercoaster, however despite what some may have considered negative then in comparison to previous seasons wasn’t all that bad and
  • Chris

New Year Resolution: Attend more Notts County away games in 2018

2017 has been a very busy year for me. Unfortunately I have only managed to attend two away games and despite having Luton Town eyed up as my third, it just wasn’t possible for me to make the trip which I am actually very gutted about not attending. It would have been nice to be there, as by all accounts it sounded like a very decent performance by the Magpies, and of course the travelling Black & White army that followed in support. However, I have started plans to attend several
  • Chris

Little changes make a big difference

This blog is personal, as a result it’s not your typical read on Notts County and I thought that I should warn potential readers before – if you prefer the regular variety of opinions be sure to have a read of our home page otherwise I would suggest clicking away from this blog. Towards the end of last season I decided to make changes, I wasn’t all that happy with things and as most fans (who know me) will have seen I started using my real name. It was more of a positive change than I
  • Chris

All's well that ends well

The 2016-17 season has been a funny one for me, personal circumstances meant I missed a portion of the Notts County games which took place over late October to mid-January – despite all the on-goings at Meadow Lane and the dire performances I really missed this period. Yet the break was exactly what I needed at the time, but the lengthy spell did leave me feeling drained and worried about my mother. I had been saying throughout the majority of the 2015-16 season that I would get back o

Pompey defeat left me looking forward to next season

Approaching Easter Monday, I was quite excited about the game against Portsmouth. In the back of my mind, I did question the attitude of Notts as we approached the match. The thought of added fire to fuel the game certain may help, yet for me I felt it wasn’t required. Of course I’m referring to the comments made about spoiling/delaying their promotion party, it didn’t work did it? I just didn't feel that the message was the right focus, yet I've mentioned this on social media and
  • Chris

Goodbye 'Notts-Joe'

There was a time when I was encouraged to write personal blogs, yet new faces on the website never seemed to appreciate them – however with the minor change to my username I aim to mix things up. It’s a common recurrence that I get the urge to drop my ‘Notts-Joe’ persona, yet for one reason or another I just never did until now. I thought that it might confuse some members who don’t know me in person, yet it’s an never ending escape unless you apply the change and really, why would I w
  • Chris

The "thing" About Football

Football's tribal, it's a game of pride and passion. The skill came into the game as it developed, my father's written interesting articles regarding the growth from mob football to what we know today. In the early days it was about 'families' and true gentleman of the sport, it was respected and professional but contributed by people of lower classes. It was certainly the working's man game which made it what it is today, certainly not anything to do with Sky. The backbone behind the popular sp
  • Chris

Personal Blog - My Views...

The New Manager.... Back when CK was sacked, I didn't really much thoughts on who would replace him. I only had a shortlist of who I would hate to see in the hot seat here at Meadow Lane. Openly, I would hate to see Paolo Di Canio and he was my only real fear. I know of friends who would hate 'Steve Evans' but at least he commits to doing his home work and as a manager he really hasn't done all that bad, it's just a shame about the type of person he is. Now we've seen the likes of Shaun Derry,
  • Chris

Football Family Day Out! - Notts..

Anyone who knows me, will know how much my family mean to me. I am a very proud father! So when Notts announced that they would be doing an offer for the Crewe game, I set many hopes on making this our first game together as a complete family. Myself and Jake have season tickets – I thought it would be a good way to bond with him further and on occasions we manage to encourage Ellie into joining us. Yet Kate isn't really all that into football, she's not big on noises and it's a little demanding
  • Chris

Bring On Liverpool - Coyp!

At the beginning I often felt a little down, this is just me in general but I understand the process but it's not just that. I have big hopes for the site, this isn't to take away credit from anything or even the official site. I'm just a very proud and loyal fan. I feel I am helping in a small way and believe that my positive attitude however deluded it seems actually helps. It's a strange one because in life I am not openly positive, rather for myself I think very negatively but when it come
  • Chris

Getting Used To Pon 101 #community

The hub and heart of the site is no doubt our community, I've tried to keep things engaging but simple. It's my first port of call when I visit, obviously due to me already knowing the content on the home page. It's the place also most commonly people visit, so I try to make sure it's not over cluttered. 1) If you click where it says "Welcome *your username*" you will see a menu display. This is where all sorts of useful likes are found and of course the place to edit your settings. It's pret
  • Chris

Getting Used To Pon 101 #basics

Over the next couple of weeks I plan to blog about our features and how to make the most of the website, I'm not trying to belittle anyone and most perhaps are fine but I thought that doing this might help people who are new to Pride of Nottingham and the system in which we use. Visitors There isn't actually much that I need to explain to visitors, since the majority of features come when you register. A visitor can read all our content, view each section and have the basics in which we offer.
  • Chris

Football Manager 2013 Handheld

Some of those who are friends on my facebook account, will have noticed my new addiction to the Football Manager 2013 Handheld series. It would probably come to know surprise to say, I'm a big football gamer and I've played the original PC series for years. I actually manage Brighton on my laptop. Yet it's the handheld version which I find most compelling. The reason is, I'm not bogged down with some of the features they've bloated the actual game with and I am able to play much quicker. It's
  • Chris

Making Pride Of Nottingham A Success

Tonight's one of those days that make me wish I hadn't held back launching Pride of Nottingham, although to be honest the earlier site was stuck together using pva glue and built around paper mache. The earlier domain was actually 'notts-county.co.uk' which I still have active and if you type it in, you will be redirected back to here as it's now used as a forwarding domain. Certainly I owe many thanks to the earlier days to many kind people as I used to be part of a tight knit community which a
  • Chris

Thoughts On Yesterday

I woke up today very excited but nervous none the less, the reason? I had decided to break my social rules which prevents me from encountering negativity. It doesn't really work but I can pretend I cope. The day went very slow at first which is strange. I did much more than I normally would in the hours before I left for Meadow Lane and I wished I could spend time more like it normally. I had spent the majority of the time with my children who was off due to our alarm not going off. I bumped in
  • Chris

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