Chris

For over 30 years, Adam Baker has been a dedicated supporter of Notts County. He has shared his experiences and memories as a fan of the club, from his earliest memories of supporting the team to the changes he has seen in the club over the years. Adam's love for Notts County began in the early 90s when the team was promoted to the old first division under Neil Warnock. “Being from the south not knowing your geography much at 9 years old I picked a top flight team like kids always seem to do and here we are today…” Adam recalls. As a child, Adam's favourite players were Mark Draper and Tommy Johnson. "I think it was these players in that iconic home bitter shirt I really remember as a child," he says. Over the years, Adam has seen many changes in Notts County, both on and off the field. "Where do I start with this question… in the 30 years I’ve supported them it was unfortunately changing for the worse, dropping divisions, flop players on big expectations, and the club wasn’t run very well” he says. However, more recently, Adam has seen a positive change in the club under its current owners. "The change has been phenomenal… crowds larger in non league than league 1, quality of football and the players we recruit now is so much better and thought through” he says. Adam's happiest moments as a Notts County fan include attending both Anglo Italian cup finals at Wembley as a child and going to his first ever game at Meadow Lane vs Burnley as my dad was a Burnley fan. Little things like just going to my team's home ground as a child was up there for me," he says. One of the most joyful moments we experienced earlier this year was undoubtedly the thrilling promotion party. "So many fans crying with joy in the stands! Proper happy moment that," Adam recalls. On the other hand, Adam's saddest moment as a Notts County fan was being at Swindon watching the team drop to non-league for the first time in their long history. "I held my coat over my head for about 10 minutes at full time in that away end," he says. On a typical match day, Adam sets off on a Friday morning after rush hour and stays at a friend's house in Nottingham for the weekend. He enjoys early beers in the Navi and soaking up the great atmosphere. After watching the game, he heads home on Sunday back down the M1 with a sore head. Adam stays connected with the club and its community through social media groups and official club websites. As I’m a long way from the club. In addition to following the team's progress on social media and official club websites, Adam also enjoys connecting with other fans and sharing his experiences as a Notts County supporter. He has made many new friends through his love for the club and enjoys spending time with them on match days. Being a Notts fan has without doubt impacted Adam's life with a lot of natural highlights over recent years supporting them. "But, wouldn’t change it, we always do things the notts way… prime example is the playoffs this year 120 min win vs Boreham Wood, then to take us fans to penalties at Wembley and win just grips me and that’s why you can’t beat supporting this superb football club! Not sure what I’d do without them? COYP!," he says. Notts has also had a major positive impact on Adam's life during difficult times. "I lost my dad in October 2019 to a brain tumour that affected me massively, also an awkward break-up from my daughters mother after 7 years in terms of emotionally and financially after dad's death. So getting up to Nottingham and watching my team is almost a relief from getting away from the norm even if it was for a weekend now and then!" he says. Adam's love for Notts County, despite the highs and lows of supporting a football club, fuels his enduring dedication. He steadfastly stands by them through every trial and triumph, eagerly anticipating the creation of countless cherished memories as a devoted magpies fan. If you enjoyed reading about Adam Baker’s story, why not read up about lifelong Notts County fan and Pride of Nottingham member MagpieJue? Click here to read Julie’s story! Take a moment to browse the Pride of Nottingham dashboard and join in by sharing thoughts on our articles, blogs, forum discussions and much, much more.

The pre-season is a crucial time for any football team, and for Notts County, it was no different. With a line-up of challenging games against teams like Stoke City and Nottingham Forest, manager Luke Williams had his work cut out for him. But with each game, he gained valuable insights into his squad and their capabilities. One of the key takeaways from the pre-season was how well new recruits Dan Crowley and David McGoldrick fit into Williams' system. The squad showed their adaptability by playing in different positions, and McGoldrick's advanced role proved to be a real threat on goal. Williams also experimented with different formations, switching between a 3-4-2-1 and a 4-2-3-1/5-2-2-1 hybrid to see how the squad would adapt. These tactical changes proved effective, particularly against Nottingham Forest, where the strengthened defence reduced mistakes and allowed Notts to build from the back. After the game against Nuneaton Borough, Williams praised the performance of his young players: "When you are a young guy, and you come in, and you’re on the same pitch with a guy who was a top goalscorer last season, there is pressure and some nerves there, but they handled that brilliantly." He also noted that he didn't want to "completely rip up everything that we did last season" but that there would be "some changes during pre-season for us to look at different options." The results and performance may not have been the most important thing, but the assessment of each game allowed Williams to better understand his squad. Each game presented its own challenges, from handling a dominant Stoke City to embedding youngsters into the squad. But with each test, Notts adapted well and showed some good performances. Standout moments included the establishing link between John Bostock, Matt Palmer, David McGoldrick, Macaulay Langstaff, and Cedwyn Scott working well with Jodi Jones. After the game against Stoke City, Williams commented on the team's defensive performance: "I'm looking for the mental strength and concentration and the defensive duties to be on display." He also noted that it was a "brilliant test" for Notts. The pre-season games also helped build team chemistry and cohesion. The focus on training and match preparations, as well as post-game drills, assisted with team bonding. Williams played a crucial role in overseeing tactical decisions and supporting players who may have struggled, including youngsters like Madou Cisse and Luther Munakandafa who impressed with their performances. After the game against Nottingham Forest, Williams said: "I thought they equipped themselves really well, the guys, looked like the same team in a very different formation." He also noted that some players were still "getting up to speed with the work and conditioning required for the team's style of play." The pre-season games helped prepare the team for the upcoming season by showing them where they were at and how they could cope with different situations. The focus remained on playing swift, flowing attacking football. And with an established squad where the core of players has been around each other for a decent amount of time, things look promising for Notts County going into the season. There are high hopes for the club to challenge for promotion, with the benefits of having depth throughout the squad and new recruits fitting in instantly. The loan signing of Ollie Tipton has strengthened the defence, and with the midfield playing a more crucial role in supporting them, things should naturally improve over time. If Notts can maintain an undefeated run within the first five games and reach between 11–13 points, it would be a decent start to the League Two season. The pre-season has given Notts County manager Luke Williams a good amount of insight into his squad and their capabilities. With each game presenting its own challenges and opportunities for growth, things look promising for Notts County going into the season. Show your support for the Pride of Nottingham by browsing our online store for merch! Join in the conversation on our website by posting to our forum content – it would be great to have you on board!

I was thrilled to hear that Jim O’Brien has extended his stay at the club. Since arriving in 2019, O’Brien has been an influential player both on and off the pitch. With his Scottish determination and uncanny toughness, he has made a significant impact on the club. O’Brien joined Notts County at a low point in the club’s history, but his arrival gave us fans hope that things would improve. And improve they did - under the guidance of Luke Williams and the ownership of the Reedtz brothers, the Magpies have risen from the National League. In his time at the club, O’Brien has featured 106 times and scored 9 goals, including two hat-tricks. He consistently delivers steady performances and has produced some very good football. His natural aggression and determination make him a formidable opponent on the pitch. O’Brien’s versatility is also an asset to the team. He can play both attacking and defensive roles in midfield and is able to adapt to different positions on the pitch. Last season, he silenced his critics with an important hat-trick against Maidstone United. As Notts County return to League Two action, I believe that O’Brien’s experience and style will be key. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he always makes a positive impact. His ability to outwit younger and less experienced players gives Notts County an edge over their opponents. In a 2022 interview, O’Brien addressed his leadership role at Notts County and made a vow to the club: “I’m maybe getting a little bit softer as I’m getting older and working on the coaching side of things. I think a couple of years ago I’d be a bit more harsh, but I just think when you work with the boys more regularly, and you know what they’re about, and you know they want to work hard, they want to get better.” He continued: “Technical mistakes you can work on but as long as they’re seeing the right things, or they’re trying to do the right things you can hold your hand up and say we can work on the technical side. At least the lads have seen the pass, or they’ve maybe not played it properly.” O’Brien also made a vow to Notts County: “I said that [retiring at Notts]. I don’t want to jinx myself either, but I don’t want to keep going down the levels and going part-time.” This shows his commitment to the club and his desire to continue playing at a high level. Notts County fans are thrilled that O’Brien has extended his stay at the club. Thomas Rose describes O’Brien as “the heart and soul of Notts County” and praises his leadership both on and off the pitch. Lynn Collins is also happy with the news, saying that O’Brien “will boost confidence on and off the field.” Daphne Mounteney simply calls it “great news,” while TheSkipper praises O’Brien’s footballing intelligence: “His football mind is always switched on, and it’s incredible to see him think ahead of much younger players.” Countyman agrees that O’Brien’s presence in the squad is a “blessing,” while AmericanPie calls it “fantastic news” and hopes that other key players will also extend their stays at Notts County. Luke Williams, Notts County’s manager, has high praise for O’Brien: “As he demonstrated last season and in previous campaigns, he has so much to offer with his quality, mentality and tenacity. Having made nearly 550 career appearances, he also has vast experience to share with the group – a role we know he embraces. Importantly, he has an incredible connection with our supporters as well. He’s been with them all the way through our relegation, the National League years and our eventual promotion. It’s going to be wonderful to see him represent us in the EFL once again.” In my opinion, Jim O’Brien’s extended stay at Notts County is certainly great news for the club and its fans. With his talent and experience, he will undoubtedly continue to be a key player for the Magpies. As Notts County fans, all we have ever wanted is players who are determined to leave everything on the pitch - players who connect with the club and proudly wear the famous black and white shirt with pride. These are all things which Jim O’Brien demonstrates. I would encourage all fans to back him and his teammates ahead of our League Two campaign. Check out all the latest articles published by the Pride of Nottingham and join in to share your thoughts! What are your thoughts on Jim O’Brien’s one-year-deal? Let PON know!