PON_News

In a thrilling development for Notts County, our very own attacking midfielder, James Sanderson, has signed his first professional contract with the club. This is a significant milestone in the young player's career and a proud moment for everyone associated with the club. James, who is just 17 years old, recently returned to our academy after a spell in grassroots football. His return has been nothing short of spectacular. He has seized his opportunity to impress at the first-team level and his performances have not gone unnoticed. As a result of his hard work and dedication, he has been rewarded with a contract that will keep him at Meadow Lane until June 2026. His journey with the club has been remarkable. He made a memorable debut against Shrewsbury Town in the Emirates FA Cup, where he found the back of the net. This was a dream start for any young player and James made the most of it. His EFL debut was equally impressive, contributing to our 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers. Since then, he has been a regular feature in our squads, showing his worth with every opportunity. Upon signing his contract, an ecstatic James said, “Football is all I’ve ever wanted to do, so it’s an amazing feeling to be able to carry that on. My family and friends are over the moon for me, especially my dad who has travelled all over the country to support my efforts to become a professional footballer." He further added, "Being involved in the first team has been an amazing experience, and I’ve learned so much – it’s like a whole new sport to me. All the lads have been brilliant, helping me as much as they can." James also expressed his gratitude towards the academy staff, including Gavin Mee, Dan Leivers, and Tigran Tadevosyan, for their instrumental roles in his journey. Their guidance and support have been invaluable in his development as a player. Richard Montague, a member of our board who leads on recruitment, expressed his delight at James's progress. He said, “Everyone at Meadow Lane is delighted for James, who has shown great promise both in training and matches. We’re very excited by his potential and look forward to watching his continued development.” This is indeed a proud moment for Notts County. We are thrilled to see one of our own rising through the ranks and making a mark in the world of football. James's journey is a testament to the club's commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to shine. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to many more successes for James Sanderson and our beloved club. Here's to a bright future filled with many more victories and achievements. Pride of Nottingham member Robbie has initiated an engaging discussion on Tom Williams' insightful analysis of how Stuart Maynard's Notts County might line up. This discussion promises to be a fascinating exploration of team strategies and formations. Don't miss out! Get involved with the Pride of Nottingham community! Visit our dashboard page to view the entire site at a glance. It's a convenient way to stay updated and participate in discussions. Join us today!

In a pre-match interview ahead of Notts County's highly anticipated game against league leaders Stockport County, Jim O'Brien who had acted as the club's interim head coach, provided insights into his role, the team's preparations, and the challenges they face. O'Brien, who took charge after Luke Williams' departure and until Stuart Maynard's recent appointment, spoke about the day-to-day approach, the team's reaction to the recent changes, and the focus on maintaining consistency. Reflecting on his time in the interim role, O'Brien humorously remarked, "Yeah, it feels about three months, mate. To be honest with you, the work, but it's been brilliant, settled down." Despite the uncertainty surrounding his position, O'Brien emphasised the professional and focused nature of the club's operations, stating, "We just need to keep the ship moving forward." When asked about the team's recent high-scoring draw, O'Brien acknowledged areas for improvement, saying, "There was loads of stuff when we dissected it that we could have done better. It's frustrating, but it's not one individual's fault. It's the whole team, the whole squad, and we're all together in that." Regarding the team's defensive performance, O'Brien expressed a desire for a clean sheet against Stockport but acknowledged the need to focus on putting their stamp on the game, whether at home or away. He stressed the importance of consistency in the short term while considering the long-term impact on the squad. Reflecting on his pride in leading the team, O'Brien commented, "It's personally a really proud moment. I'm not trying to think too much about myself and just keep us moving." He highlighted the positive reaction from the players, noting their respect for the coaching staff and their commitment to moving forward. With challenging fixtures ahead, including the clash with Stockport, O'Brien noted the upcoming weeks as a crucial test for the team's mentality. He remarked, "It's a good taste for the mentality. We'll take the games as they go, but full focus on Stockport on Saturday." Addressing his preparation for the game, O'Brien highlighted the staff's support and the ease of the transition into the coaching role. He spoke about maintaining the team's successful approach over the past 18 months while making short-term tweaks to adapt to the current situation. As the interview concluded, O'Brien expressed hope for a competitive game against Stockport, acknowledging both teams' goal-scoring prowess. He emphasised the team's understanding of areas needing improvement and their commitment to addressing those concerns in their pursuit of victory. In the face of uncertainties and challenges, Jim O'Brien's measured and pragmatic approach reflects a determination to guide Notts County through a pivotal period in their season, keeping the focus on the immediate task at hand while considering the team's long-term success. Show your support for Notts County! Check out the Pride of Nottingham web store for exclusive merchandise and wear your team colours with pride. Love what we do at Pride of Nottingham? Consider making a donation to help us continue bringing you the best of Notts County. Every contribution counts!

In the wake of the recent managerial change at Notts County, the club has swiftly appointed Stuart Maynard, former Wealdstone manager, to take the helm. As the team adjusts to this new leadership, club captain Kyle Cameron remains steadfast in his commitment to keeping the team focused and disciplined. In a pre-match interview, the defender shed light on the team's approach to training and maintaining a sense of normalcy despite the managerial uncertainties. Cameron emphasised the importance of sticking to familiar routines and maintaining a unified front, stating, "We're trying to keep it as similar as possible just to keep everything in the same sort of routines. Keep things the same. So we keep working at the things that we know work well for a Saturday and things that we need to improve on." Acknowledging the departure of the previous manager and the swift appointment of Maynard, Cameron spoke highly of the team's response, stating, "All the lads have been spot on this week, just getting their heads down and working hard as always." He praised the collective respect for Maynard and highlighted the positive mentality within the squad. When asked about his role in the ongoing managerial discussions, Cameron made it clear that he prefers to focus on the pitch, stating, "No, that's nothing to do with me. I just want to keep myself to the business on the pitch and try and do that the best I can." He emphasised his trust in the club to handle the managerial side of things, allowing him to concentrate on leading the team on the field. Reflecting on the recent 5-5 draw against Grimsby, Cameron took responsibility for defensive lapses, noting, "We have to look at ourselves, and we have to improve ourselves as a group rather than just saying, 'Oh, it's one of them days,' because for us, that's not good enough." As Notts County prepares to face top-of-the-table Stockport County under new management, Cameron expressed optimism about the team's ability to bounce back. He highlighted the familiarity with Stockport's style of play and emphasised the importance of marrying a positive performance with a favourable result under the guidance of Stuart Maynard. Kyle Cameron's words reflect a resilient and determined Notts County squad navigating through a transitional period with a focus on maintaining their high standards on the pitch under the leadership of their newly appointed manager, Stuart Maynard. Join in with the Pride of Nottingham by diving straight into our dashboard page, oversea the whole site and get involved with our discussions today! This weekend Notts County hosts League Two leaders Stockport County, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion and share your thoughts on the game.

In a significant development for Notts County Football Club, Stuart Maynard has been appointed as the new head coach. This announcement comes following the departure of Luke Williams, who has moved on to join Championship side Swansea City. Maynard, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the club, is set to take charge of his first training session on Friday. He will then lead the team in Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against Stockport County. The appointment of Maynard has been met with great enthusiasm and anticipation. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record, having established himself as one of the most exciting managers outside the English Football League (EFL) during his time at Wealdstone. Maynard's journey in football management has been nothing short of remarkable. He played a pivotal role in helping Wealdstone clinch the 2019-20 National League South title while serving as assistant to Dean Brennan. Following Brennan's departure, Maynard took over the reins in March 2021 and navigated the team through the immense challenges presented by the Covid pandemic. Under his leadership, Wealdstone achieved their highest league position in 35 years and continued to exceed expectations with an improved 13th-place finish in the 2022-23 season. The board of directors at Notts County have expressed their confidence in Maynard's abilities. In a statement, they said, “We’ve been tracking Stuart’s progress for a long time and have huge respect for the outstanding job he’s done at Wealdstone on limited resources. We believe he will thrive in a full-time environment and is an excellent fit for us in terms of his playing philosophy, which puts him in a strong position to settle in quickly and lead our continued push for promotion to League One." The board also acknowledged the contributions of Jim O’Brien, Tom Weal, and Joao Alves, who guided the team following Williams’ departure. Alves will be promoted to the role of first team coach. The board further added, "With Stuart in place, we’re also now in a stronger position to help the squad with additions before the end of the transfer window." The club also expressed its gratitude to Wealdstone for their professional handling of Maynard’s departure and wished them all the best for the rest of the season. Indeed, it’s a thrilling period for Notts County. Supporters are keenly anticipating the impact of Maynard’s appointment on the squad’s future performances. Join us at Pride of Nottingham as we delve into the exciting appointment of Stuart Maynard as Notts County’s new head coach. Don’t miss out on the discussion! Young goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks has embarked on a new journey, joining National League Rochdale on loan. We're eager to see his growth and contributions to the team. Share your thoughts with us!