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Just four times this season Notts players and fans will head to away games for venues which will be new to all of us. In chronological order they are Morecambe’s Globe Arena; Wimbledon’s Kingsmeadow; Barnet’s Hive Stadium; and Newport’s Rodney Parade. I write my first contribution to these pages shortly before driving to Morecambe for the match on August Bank Holiday Saturday. It isn’t going to be the first time that Notts have played there but the two previous visits were to Christie Park, before the move to the Globe Arena in 2010. Who can ever forget the last visit, on 19 September 2009? Not because of the result, the Shrimps winning 2-1, but because it marked the one and only appearance in the famous Black and White of Sol Campbell who had won 73 caps – and been a rock in England’s defence – in a glittering career, chiefly with Arsenal and Spurs. I wonder how many Notts fans can truly say “I was there”? I first met Campbell on the day he signed, interviewing him in the Meadow Lane boardroom but spending much longer enjoying a fascinating private conversation. After his 90 minutes at Morecambe I asked for a second interview. The truth of the matter was that, though he’d used the time between signing and making his debut seeking to get fit, he by no means contributed an impressive debut display, which probably accounted for his reluctance to be interviewed. Eventually he agreed but seemed ill-at-ease and didn’t have much of interest to say. Three days later Campbell walked out of Meadow Lane and before the end of September his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. And a few days later he returned to Arsenal. I’ve often wondered since whether I should have read more into his post-match demeanor – did it signify he’d already made his decision to pack his bags? Campbell never made any secret about the fact that he’d largely been persuaded to sign by the Notts director of football, Sven-Goran Eriksson, the two of them having got close during their time together with England. Sven could never be drawn into discussing Campbell’s abrupt departure. In the match, Morecambe scored either side of half time with Jim Bentley getting the first in 36 minutes and Paul Mullin the second on 52 minutes. Not until the 71st minute did Ben Davies reduce the arrears but Notts failed to find an equaliser. It’s worth pointing out that the defeat put Notts eighth in League Two, with no hint they were going to storm to the title at the end of April with a brilliant 5-0 rout of Darlington at their Arena. So it was by no stretch of imagination a wholly convincing start to the 2009-10 campaign, though expectations were high after a spate of summer signings. Doesn’t that resonate with what’s happening right now, in the early days of 2015-16? Between 2009 and now the wheel has turned full circle for Jim Bentley. Then he scored. Now 39, he’s Morecambe’s manager, having been appointed in 2011. This article was written By Colin Slater, BBC Radio Nottingham, Notts County Correspondent. Colin Slater is our guest columnist on Pride of Nottingham, this is an exclusive piece. To discuss his article, visit the PON Forum by clicking here.

Notts County's home match against Plymouth Argyle, originally scheduled for 3pm Saturday 10th October, will now be televised live on Sky on Sunday 11th October, kick off - 2.30pm. Notts fan and PON member, Julie Henshaw had this to say about the fixture change - "Why do Sky have to change K.O times?". She then went on to say "I'd sooner have had Plymouth v Notts on tv, as its a long way to travel for supporters, cos being on the bench, I'll be at the home fixture anyway. But i guess it will be good for Plymouth fans who wont want to make the long journey to Nottingham on a Sunday". This is on the weekend of a Premier League international break due to European Championship qualifying rounds being played. International page manager of the Irish Magpies Dripsey3 said "Notts County on the telly. A rare treat indeed for those of us who live outside the UK". He added "A chance to see for ourselves the attacking philosophy introduced by RM. Silky skills. Moving the ball at pace along the ground. I'm rubbing my hands with glee! Chances are this game against Plymouth will be a top of the table clash". Further adding "Both clubs have recruited wisely in the close season. Plymouth may lost Lewis Alessandra but they still have Reuben Reid. Jake Jervis will be returning to Meadow Lane. Graeme Carey is a fellow Irishman so it will be interesting to see how he does. All in all, it should be an exciting game with a fair few goals. Can't wait!" Prior to the Notts game, Devon's other club, Exeter have their home fixture against Stevenage also televised by Sky, kick-off 12.15pm. In the first 3 months of the new season Sky will be showing 36 Football League matches as part of a new 5 year deal. The last encounter between Notts and Plymouth Argyle took place at Meadow Lane in 2010 when Notts won 2-0. Craig Westcarr scored the opening goal and then provided a pass for John Spencer to get a second. This League One fixture was watched by 6333 fans.

Notts County manager Ricardo Moniz has admitted that he would like to bring at least three more signings to Meadow Lane. The Magpies have already added 15 new players to their ranks this summer, as well as promoting two players from the Academy. However the Dutchman, who was unable to keep the League 1 last season after taking over from Shaun Derry, still wants to add to his defensive and attacking options. Speaking after his side's 3-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Grimsby Town on Saturday, Moniz said: "We need people who can score the goals and avoid the goals. "It's very simple; it's at the front and at the back. In the middle everybody is okay, but the exception is defence and attack. "A centre-back has always been my wish, but we haven't been able to find the right one as yet... but I would like at least three (more players) in. We know that. It's not a surprise." Notts have so far recruited Scott Loach, Scot Bennett, Rhys Sharpe, Gill Swerts, Mawouna Amevor, Wes Atkinson, Stanley Aborah, Rob Milsom, Kyle De Silva, Genaro Snijders, Julian Jenner, Filip Valencic, Graham Burke, Jon Stead and Adam Campbell. In addition, youngsters Jordan Richards and Lartey Sarpong have been promoted from the Academy into the first team.

Notts County full-back Jordan Cranston has left the club by mutual consent. The 21-year old joined the Magpies in September last year and was given a new 18-month deal in a month later under then-manager Shaun Derry. However, new boss Ricardo Moniz has signed Rhys Sharpe to battle it out with Blair Adams for the left-back spot in League Two this season. This has left Cranston with limited first-team opportunities, and the decision for him to leave the leave Notts appears to have been mutual. A statement on the club's official website said: "The club would like to wish Jordan well at his new club and will be keeping a close eye on his progress in the future." The former Welsh youth international, who has also played for Wolves, Hednesford and Nuneaton, made 12 appearances for Notts and has been on trial with Gateshead in the last few weeks. We at Pride of Nottingham would like to echo the club's sentiments and wish Jordan Cranston all the best for the future.

He’s spent years working with disabled people and raising thousands of pounds for charity. Now, as he prepares for his fifth year of fundraising, Alun Millard is hoping to raise even more. Daniel Angelini had a chat with him. Since the start of the decade, Nottingham's Alun Millard has raised over £2000 for charities including the Cystic Fibrosis Fund and Mencap. As a support worker at Mencap, he helps people with learning disabilities to live independently, which can involve anything from helping them cook a meal to organising a holiday. Working a busy schedule of various day and night shifts leaves him exhausted, but luckily he found a few minutes to speak to me from his home in Chilwell and explained that his work was tiring but extremely rewarding: “The best thing about my job is seeing how far someone can progress when they are given the opportunity. "It helps to remind you why you do the job you do.” “People I support have developed skills which they never knew they had because they didn't have those opportunities. When you see that progression, and hear the compliments from families, you know that you've done something right. It helps to remind you why you do the job you do" “It does leave me rather tired, so I enjoy my sleep. A mid-afternoon nap is truly one of life’s pleasures.” Alun has worked at Mencap for over 10 years, and in 2010 he decided to raise money for the charity by shaving his head, in what would be the first of many fundraising campaigns. He reminisces about how it all began: “I was talking to a fellow Notts County fan about hairstyles and how I had never shaved my hair off completely. He joked about donating to charity if I did and that was the start of my fundraiser.” Alun and other Notts County fans were invited by the new Notts County Football Club chairman Ray Trew to hand out Easter eggs in the QMC Children’s Ward. Mr Trew thanked the fans for their help by offering them executive seats at the last game of the season. At the game, Alun saw an opportunity to boost his fundraising efforts. “I spoke with various staff members at Notts County to get money shakers around the ground during that game. I also did my head-shave on the pitch before the match started in front of 9000 fans.” After that, the donations poured in and he raised £1500. Buoyed by this success, Alun went on to raise £600 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust by growing a mullet and running the Nottingham half-marathon in 2011. 'It's not right' In 2013, he ran the half-marathon again, this time raising over £500 for the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association. His late aunt Elena had suffered from the condition, which is similar to Motor Neurone Disease but less common. “It’s a cause close to my heart. I’d never heard of the condition until my folks told me that my auntie had had it. There’s no treatment, no cure, the average life expectancy is about 7 years, and Aunty Elaine didn’t even get that. It’s not right.” "I wanted to give something back.” Last year, Alun raised money for Nottingham Mencap in memory of his good friend David Emerson. He said: “We got on exceptionally well, sharing a passion for the same football team, and when he passed away, it was a logical choice to fundraise in his memory. Nottingham Mencap was a place that he went to once a week, every week. It was an important part of his life. I wanted to give something back." Alun raised £295 by running the Nottingham half-marathon for a third time, but he almost didn’t make it after getting shin splints a few months before the day of the event. “Shin splints is a bit of a catch-all term for pain and inflammation in the shin area. Early in 2014 I was running to get back into exercising and I was getting discomfort in my right leg. “I've done 3 half-marathons, all in Nottingham. Last year was by far the toughest for me. I thought of David and wanted to make him and his family proud. “Finishing a half-marathon for me has always felt a mixture of exhausting and amazing. I've always struggled to stick at things and see them through, so it felt amazing to have done it when it seemed like it was all over before it started.” Shin splints Now in his fifth year of fundraising, Alun’s focussing on a new campaign to raise money for Cancer Research UK. “My current plan is to attempt the Nottingham Half-Marathon again but the shin splints are always on my mind. “I'm running in memory of Elaine Brooks. I never actually got the opportunity to meet her in the flesh, but she and her son were both well-known on a popular Notts County message-board. Elaine was someone who could get on with everyone and passed away in December 2014.” "I may have cursed, grimaced, limped and hobbled, but I was determined.” With the possibility of shin splints returning and ruining his running, he briefly considers other options. “To be honest, if I am unable to run this year due to shin splints, I will probably have to knock running on the head, continue the fundraising into 2016 with some other activity. Maybe it would be shaving off my beard, which I've had for something like 18 months or so and refuse to shave off, or the 3 Peaks Challenge.” With his thoughts firmly on the future, Alun pauses to look back on the most memorable moment of his fundraising career. “I think walking out onto a pitch, surrounded by 9000 football fans has to be up there. And the free bar afterwards didn't hurt! I was also able to meet Peter Schmeichel, who was a footballing hero of mine back in the day, and hold the League Two trophy. It was a very fun day!” For more information about Alun’s fundraising visit www.alun.be, or donate via www.justgiving.com/anonypie/ Written by Daniel Angelini @Dangelinii

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