We have completed the signing of Harrogate Town goalkeeper James Belshaw for an undisclosed fee.

A lifelong Notts fan, Belshaw signs an 18-month contract at Meadow Lane.

Director of Football Richard Montague said: “As well as an obvious passion for the club, James brings vast experience and an impressive track record of winning promotions.

“He’s been a very consistent performer over the course of his more than 200 EFL appearances and has been a hugely popular figure everywhere he’s played, which reflects his character and professionalism.

“This move will obviously mean a lot to him and his family and we’re delighted to help make his dream of playing for Notts a reality.”

Nottingham-born Belshaw grew up in Clifton and regularly attended our matches with his dad, grandad and brother – even celebrating his sixth birthday as a mascot at Meadow Lane.

The goalkeeping skills he demonstrated as a youngster for Clifton All Whites were spotted by our academy and he spent a number of years with us before his performances for Heanor Town earned him a contract with Walsall.

An outstanding performance against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup then led to an offer of a scholarship at North Carolina’s Duke University, which in turn saw him drafted by MLS side Chicago Fire.

However Belshaw decided to return to the UK and build his career in non-league with Nuneaton and then Tamworth, before joining Harrogate Town and winning two promotions in three seasons as the North Yorkshire outfit rose from National League North to League Two.

Great news, hopefully he will be a success.

I'm very encouraged by this signing. He's one of our own, so I am sure he is keen to make his mark & fight for the number one position.

A few more quality signings & Notts could have a good second half to the season. Hopefully these new signings can settle into their new surroundings very quickly.

Is he better than Roos? Yep. A couple of more outfield additions and we'll be in good shape

I love the fact that Belshaw is a Notts fan who grew up in Clifton, was a mascot as a boy, grew up supporting Notts, played for Clifton All Whites, played for Notts Academy, his family are Notts supporters, his Dad is a season ticket holder in the kop and has been for sixty years. What better credentials for a player who will obviously give 100%+ for the shirt, the fans and his family sitting in the stands.

Welcome James, I love you already!

Delighted with this - more than useful keeper, surprised at some of the negativity surrounding his signing tbh.

I'm happy too. It's great that he's a proper magpie, but the bottom line is that this signing strengthens us. He's been playing regularly and can hopefully slot straight into the team. And goalkeepers often reach their peak after 30. So this move makes perfect sense to me and gives us a bit of breathing space to find a younger goalkeeper for the longer term.

I love the fact that Belshaw is a Notts fan who grew up in Clifton, was a mascot as a boy, grew up supporting Notts, played for Clifton All Whites, played for Notts Academy.

I totally agree with @Fan of Big Tone one of our own and full of enthusiasm and experience can only be a positive. The great thing about his experience is that it's been gained at different levels and includes the joyful feelings of promotion and the fighting for said promotions. His attitude and demeanor show how focused and happy he is becoming part of a winning machine.

Welcome to our collective James, may your contribution be towards the greater good. ⚽️

The signing is exactly what fans were asking for. It's too much to ask in January for a surefire new No.1 like Bass was, but for a high level alternate keeper - reliable and experienced, James Belshaw is perfect.

Which way is it going to go though?

Scenario 1 - Roos has had more good and Ok games than bad ones, and we've the 4th best defensive record in the league. If we dropped Roos straight away and then Belshaw got injured, we'd may have pissed off or broke the confidence of someone we need. If Roos responds to the new competition by being better, then the Belshaw signing will have worked in an unexpected way. Obviously if Roos has another really bad game, or say 2 poorish games in 5 or 6, Belshaw comes in then

Scenario 2 - We heed MP's unusual description of Chesterfield's 2nd goal - pathetic. You don't often hear a coach describe an individual mistake like that. It was both Roos and Jatta, but you'd guess he was saying Roos' part was the more pathetic of the two. Maybe MP brings in Belshaw right away.

I think Belshaw already let the cat out of the bag @theAnticlough. During his interview he talked about what it will be like to walk out in front of the Kop for the first time against Crawley. He's either counted his chickens before they've hatched or he's been told he'll start. I'd wager the latter.

24 minutes ago, DangerousSausage said:

I think Belshaw already let the cat out of the bag @theAnticlough. During his interview he talked about what it will be like to walk out in front of the Kop for the first time against Crawley. He's either counted his chickens before they've hatched or he's been told he'll start. I'd wager the latter.

He'll have a job on as we're away

1 hour ago, 4everapie said:

He'll have a job on as we're away

In that case there'd be nobody there 😅

I must have misheard Crawley then. But it did sound like he was expecting to play.

1 hour ago, DangerousSausage said:

In that case there'd be nobody there 😅

I must have misheard Crawley then. But it did sound like he was expecting to play.

Yes I thought it sounded as if he was brought in as No. 1, so I expect him to go straight into the team. Roos makes too many mistakes for my liking, Belshaw would be wasted on the bench.

https://x.com/jbelly31/status/2011524847160213994?s=61

I love this.

It’s obviously tough trying to recruit a first-choice goalie in January, unless you are willing to spend silly money which we know we don’t do. I am happy enough with Belshaw, purely on the basis that he’s better than Roos.

James Belshaw made a few vital saves for Notts on his debut against Crawley but how did he perform between the sticks generally. Did he command his area, was his distribution fine, & can he catch a ball from crosses?:

To those who went to the match what were your impressions of him & does he feel you with confidence going forward .

@Piethagoram

Belshaw made 2 good saves... and reads the game well, to adjust his positioning. Solid based on Saturday's performance

He should have donebetter for their goal from the free kick, do Kilmarnock want a No2 to Roos 🤣🤣

i am happy and i do acknowledge that when we have seen him in goal against us, that he always does well in goal but i did feel it was a bit of a "please the fans signings" and that makes me nervous because we have had chances of signing him before. it makes me wonder why now? i feel for roos a bit, he is just prone to eccentricity. in the ideal world we would still have him competing and pushing belshaw to retain his space but i think the loan releases wages. perhaps roos is on a chunk we cant afford to have him in this situation.

it is nice to see more confident when teams attack, and that fans are fully behind belshaw. i think its a sensible signing, but i would add we should not settle and strengthen this area next season.

not to replace belshaw but so we have two capable first team keepers, with griffiths being able to gain experience.