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Notts County manager Luke Williams has returned to training as the squad prepares for their pre-season games. These games provide an opportunity for players to build fitness and for managers to experiment with tactics and formations. They also allow new signings to integrate with their teammates and adapt to their new surroundings. Pre-season games against higher-level opposition, such as Stoke and Forest, provide a valuable test for the team. These games will allow Williams to assess his squad’s progress and make any necessary adjustments before the start of the new season. In an interview via the official site, Williams spoke about the club’s pre-season preparations. He discussed the importance of pre-season games against Stoke and Forest, stating that "It’s very important and all the games were planned for specific reasons. "Both games are going to be able to make actions that are hard to defend against and too quick and too skillful. But to do the hard work and try to shut space down and be organized and concentrate, this is free really, this is just applying yourself correctly and hard work," he said. On how he plans to integrate his philosophy onto new arrivals at this stage of the season, Williams said "It’s absolutely true that it takes the players some time to adapt to some things that I like and things that I don’t like. And that’s true of most managers. Some systems are easier, some more difficult, but for sure it took a while with a lot of the players to adapt. And then I think they adapted very well in the end." The manager is optimistic about the potential for new arrivals to adapt quickly to his philosophy. "Now I think we have a great beginning because many players and our staff have experienced already what we’re going to try to do. So we can hopefully speed up the process. We have many coaches now because I’m hearing players talking to new players, expect this, be ready for this and so on. And this is really brilliant," he said. Williams is excited about the potential for a successful pre-season. "I’m hoping we’re ahead of where we were last year and that we can try to speed up the process," he said. The club’s fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the new season. They are hopeful that Williams’ philosophy and approach will bring success on the pitch. Check out the Pride of Nottingham Topicfeed for easy access to our forum content! Take part and let the Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts on how many season tickets the club has sold.

INTERVIEW | A CATCH-UP WITH THE BOSS

PRE-SEASON BEGINS | BACK ON THE GRASS

Nigel Nattrass is a lifelong Notts County supporter. Born and bred in Stapleford, the youngest of two boys, his love for Notts County runs deep. "I was born into a Notts County supporting family," he says. "My Dad was a fan from the early 1930s until his death in 2001. My grandpa, as a young boy, saw the last game Notts played at Trent Bridge and the first at Meadow Lane." Some of Nigel's fondest memories of supporting Notts County include all the promotions he's seen, the Wembley finals, and of course every time they beat Forest. He even met his wonderful better half, Sue, on the old County Road terraces. "We have been together since 1985," he says. Over time, Nigel's support for Notts County has only changed in one way. "The only real change was when I left full-time education and started work...which meant I could afford to go to every game, home and away. I've been doing just that ever since," he says. Being a Notts County supporter has impacted Nigel's life and relationships with others in a big way. "It has been my life's priority!" he exclaims. "I have missed cousins' weddings etc because I was watching Notts. All my working life I was able to arrange time off or swap shifts to get to games, and now that I'm retired I won't make plans for anything without checking the fixture list first." For Nigel, being a loyal long-time supporter of Notts County means identity, belonging, joy, sadness, anger, frustration. "It's a rollercoaster," he says. "But it has shaped my life and my character. It's not just a hobby or a pastime. It's a way of life." Nigel's passion for Notts County is evident in everything he does. He doesn't have any traditions or rituals when it comes to supporting the team - "Not really. I'm not superstitious," he says - but his dedication to the club is unwavering. His brother David is also a Notts County supporter and the two of them share their love for the club. "The same goes for my brother," Nigel says. "Notts County dominates my life...and I wouldn't have it any other way." Nigel's story is one of passion and dedication to his beloved club. His love for Notts County has shaped his life and his character in countless ways. For Nigel, being a loyal long-time supporter of Notts County is more than just a hobby or pastime - it's a way of life. In addition to his love for Notts County, Nigel also has a strong sense of community and belonging in Stapleford where he grew up. His family has deep roots in the area and Nigel is proud to call it home. Nigel's story is one of passion and dedication to both his beloved club and his community. His love for Notts County has shaped his life in countless ways and will continue to do so for years to come. What are your thoughts on this season’s potential kit designs? Join in the conversation on Pride of Nottingham. Check out the latest discussions within the Pride of Nottingham. Be sure to join in with us and let PON know your opinion.

Port Vale goalkeeper Aidan Stone has completed a free transfer to Notts County. The 23-year-old has signed a two-year deal after playing a crucial role in the Valiants’ promotion from League Two in 2021-22 and making 26 appearances for them last season. Notts County’s board of directors are pleased to welcome a goalkeeper with a blend of excellent first-team experience and considerable potential. A statement from the club reads: “When looking for a goalkeeper, we have to consider a number of important factors. It’s crucial that the player is comfortable on the ball and able to distribute well with both feet. They must also be adept at playing high up the pitch and defending the space behind our back line.” “Aidan has the attributes to do all that, as well as the willingness to engage in what will be an extensive learning process as he adapts to the unique way we want him to play. The opportunity to bring him in ahead of pre-season was therefore very important to us, as it ensures he will have maximum time to prepare.” Stone benefitted hugely from a spell at Burnley as a youngster, where he enjoyed a brilliant footballing education thanks to regular training alongside Nick Pope, Tom Heaton and Joe Hart. “Aidan has gone on to make more than 80 senior appearances, all with EFL clubs, and has a League Two promotion to his name. Despite his young age, he therefore has excellent experience to draw on,” the statement continues. “Competing with Sam Slocombe, this is now his opportunity to cement his position as a first-choice goalkeeper at a club which we believe is an excellent fit for him. He arrives with a point to prove, and we’re very confident he’ll do just that.” The Stafford-born stopper was a latecomer to goalkeeping having played in defence as a youngster before making the switch in his mid-teens. His performances at local level earned him a call-up to England Schoolboys, which then led to him signing for Burnley as back-up to England internationals Pope, Heaton and Hart. Stone then seized the opportunity to play men’s football with a move to Mansfield following an impressive trial ahead of the 2019-20 season. The following campaign saw him claim 21 League Two appearances for the Stags, impressing sufficiently to earn a switch to Port Vale at the end of his contract. It proved to be a magnificent move as he nailed down a first-team place towards the end of a campaign which concluded with him keeping a clean sheet in Vale’s play-off final victory over his previous employers. His promising performances and play-off heroics saw him named the Valiants’ Young Player of the Season, and he continued his progress in League One in 2022-23. What do you think about the signing of goalkeeper Aidan Stone? Join in the PON discussion regarding this signing here. Have a look at Pride of Nottingham’s dashboard for all the latest content throughout the site and please do get involved.

Dan Crowley has joined Notts County and is excited to be a part of the club. In an interview with Notts County, he said that he feels “amazing” and “really proud” to have joined the club. “It’s obviously a massive club, and I’m just delighted to be here,” he said. He was impressed by his visit to the club earlier in the summer and was “buzzing” after meeting with Luke Williams and hearing about how he wants to play football. “Just everything really. Obviously chatting to the gaffer and how he wants to play football and how he sees me playing was really good,” he said. Crowley was attracted to Notts County’s style of play and the achievements of the club last season. He said that he wants to add goals and assists to his game and believes that he can do that at Notts County. “Just how you want to play football, how the gaffer wants to play his football. Just seeing the players, you know, we have, yeah, and their stats and how many goals they score, how many assists they get, it was just amazing really,” he said. His key attributes as a player include getting on the ball, creating chances, dribbling at people, and making things happen. “I think getting on the ball, creating chances, getting on the half turn, dribbling at people and making stuff happen and just helping the team be a better team,” he said. Crowley had interest from other clubs this summer but chose to join Notts County because of the club’s style of play and its upward trajectory. He is looking forward to playing with the other midfielders at the club and sees himself fitting into a more attacking role in midfield. “Yeah great, they’re three really good players I know John Bostock quite well he’s a great lad, and you know top top player, so I’m just I’m looking forward to just getting in a team and playing with those guys,” he said. Pre-season begins next week for Notts County and Crowley is looking forward to having a full programme ahead of him. “Massively, it’s great to do a pre-season because I think last season I did a pre-season but the season before that I didn’t,” he said. “To be signing now and knowing that I can relax now and enjoy my last few days with the family and then focus on pre-season is really good.” Get involved with a passionate and dedicated fan site - don’t just read the Pride of Nottingham, share your thoughts! Check out Pride of Nottingham’s ‘Topicfeed’ section, where you can deep dive into the forum’s content.

Notts County has released their League Two fixtures for the 2023-24 season. The Magpies will kick off their campaign with an away match against Sutton United on Saturday, August 5th. Their first home game will be against Grimsby Town on Saturday, August 12th. Other notable fixtures in the first month of the season include away matches against Morecambe and Doncaster Rovers and a home match against Tranmere Rovers. On Boxing Day, Notts County will host Doncaster Rovers at home. On New Year’s Day, they will travel to Tranmere Rovers for an away match. On Easter Monday, Notts County will host MK Dons at home. The last three fixtures of the season for Notts County include an away match against Walsall on Saturday, April 13th, a home match against Colchester United on Saturday, April 20th and an away match against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, April 27th. Notts County fans have been sharing their thoughts on the fixture release on the Pride of Nottingham forum. DangerousSausage commented: “We’re away on the first and last day, and if there aren’t any postponements our 5,000th League game will be away at Gillingham. FGR away on the final day is not ideal if there’s something at stake. Donny on Boxing Day might be tasty.” Ohh Tommy Johnson added: “Gillingham is our 5000 game? That’s my local match, so I’ll have to make my way over!” allardyces tash shared their thoughts on the start of the season: “The start is promising and there’s an opportunity to build momentum early on if the results go our way. The Tranmere game will be a good opportunity to start strong. Overall, I’m quite pleased with the release of the fixtures.” TheCalFoster is looking forward to a cup match: “Lincoln at home in the Carabao Cup, will have a bit of that!” Notts County fans will be eagerly anticipating these fixtures as they hope to see their team perform well in the upcoming season. We would love to hear your views on Notts County’s League Two fixtures for the 2023-24 season. Share your thoughts with us in the discussion. Notts fans, what do you think about the signing of Dan Crowley? Join in the conversation and let us know your thoughts.

Dan Crowley started his career at Aston Villa before moving to Arsenal at the age of 15. During his time at Arsenal, he was likened to Jack Wilshere, which added pressure to him as a young player. However, he sees himself as an individual and his own player. “It did add pressure probably without me even realising it because obviously I was still a young kid,” he said. “But when you ask about it, you know basing my game around you know the players. I like to see myself as an individual, and you know I’m Dan Crowley I’m my own player.” He spent some time playing in the Netherlands with Willem Twee, which helped him grow up as a person and learn about managing his body and being effective on the field. “Yeah really good it helped me grow up as a person. The first time I went you know I was only 19, and you know moving to a different country you know living on my own for the very first time you have to grow up straight away,” he said. Most recently, Crowley played for Morecambe in League One, where he had a fantastic debut and scored a couple of goals. “During that time you know that the support seemed to take you quite well, a fantastic debut by all accounts, and you got a couple of goals, a few assists,” said the interviewer. He had interest from other clubs this summer but chose to join Notts County because of the club’s style of play and its upward trajectory. He is looking forward to playing with the other midfielders at the club and sees himself fitting into a more attacking role in midfield. “Yeah great, they’re three really good players I know John Bostock quite well he’s a great lad, and you know top top player, so I’m just I’m looking forward to just getting in a team and playing with those guys,” he said. Geographical reasons were also a motivation for Crowley’s move to Notts County. He is from Coventry, which is not too far away from the club. “Yeah of course every like you know little thing helps you know it makes my life easier. I’m married, and I’ve got a little boy and a little girl due in a couple of weeks. So yeah, it definitely makes my life easier,” he said. Do you enjoy discussing Notts County? Why not join the Pride of Nottingham and become part of a like-minded community. Join the conversation about Dan Crowley’s arrival and share your thoughts on the midfielder.

FIRST INTERVIEW | DAN CROWLEY CHECKS IN

Notts County has confirmed a new addition to their team as Dan Crowley, who signs a two-year deal with Notts County. The 25-year-old, who graduated from Arsenal’s academy, joins the club after leaving Morecambe. Crowley quickly made a name for himself as one of Arsenal’s most promising young talents. He signed a professional contract in 2014 and progressed to the fringes of the first team while also being called up to the England youth setup. The Magpies' board of directors are delighted to have him on board. Born in Coventry, Crowley began his career in Aston Villa’s youth ranks. His performances against Arsenal caught the attention of Arsène Wenger who brought him to north London at the age of 15. A statement published on the Notts County website read: "As you might expect given his excellent pedigree, Dan has phenomenal technical ability which we believe can be deployed in deep and advanced midfield roles. He’s also very comfortable drifting into wider positions. "He has so many strengths in possession of the ball – a wide passing range, incisiveness, brilliant balance, rapid acceleration and wonderful close-control. He’s a real joy to watch when in full flow and is also an excellent set-piece taker. "Dan has tremendous experience from his many appearances in the Championship and League One, as well as in the Dutch top flight, and we think he’s a brilliant fit for our system. "While we already possess tremendous quality in central areas, we felt we needed to add more competition and depth and Dan will certainly provide that. "We also believe we can give him a structure and platform to thrive. We look forward to seeing him settle in." Crowley quickly impressed with his performances at Morecambe and will now be looking to make a strong start to life at Meadow Lane. Notts County believes he’s a brilliant fit for their system and will provide more competition and depth in central areas. The club also believes they can give him a structure and platform to thrive. They look forward to seeing him settle in and make an impact on the pitch. What do you think about the signing of Dan Crowley? Share your thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham forum. Get involved with PON by visiting the dashboard and checking out the latest content that our members are discussing.

Notts County midfielder Jim O’Brien has had a unique journey with the club. He has experienced both the highs and lows of football, from relegation to the National League to promotion back to the EFL. In a recent interview, O’Brien reflected on his time with the club and what makes this coming season feel “more special” than any other. O’Brien’s journey with Notts County began with the goal of helping the club stay in the league. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the club was relegated to the National League. However, O’Brien remained with the club and played under several good managers who wanted to keep him on board. This perseverance paid off when Notts County was finally promoted back to the English Football League. Last season, O’Brien made nearly 30 appearances and scored four goals. When asked to rank his performances last year compared with previous seasons, he said it was “probably up there with some of the best I’ve played in my whole career.” He attributed this success to the manager and staff, as well as the responsibility he was given on and off the pitch. “It’s a unique position to be in,” O’Brien said. “Obviously when I first came in it was to help us stay in the league and unfortunately we sort of ran out of time in games, and we weren’t able to do it. So to still be here and play under some good managers and have them want to keep me on board, it’s quite a special feeling.” When asked to rank his performances last year compared with previous seasons, he said it was “probably up there with some of the best I’ve played in my whole career.” He attributed this success to the manager and staff, as well as the responsibility he was given on and off the pitch. “The responsibility he’s given me on the pitch, off the pitch, which probably wasn’t even spoken about in great detail, it was just that trust and belief that he had the understanding of and knew how he wanted to play quite quickly,” O’Brien said. O’Brien also spoke highly of manager Luke Williams and his coaching staff. He described Williams as “the best coach I’ve had” and praised the detail that goes into training sessions. O’Brien also mentioned that he has been able to impart his own experiences onto other members of the squad. “He gave us respect, and he was very open on matters behind the scenes or on the training pitch or just general round about the club,” O’Brien said. “So to have that responsibility and quite quickly and the understanding that he trusts the older lads, then it was a good feeling.” O’Brien also reflected on his role as an older player on the squad. He mentioned that he has been able to help younger players get up to speed quickly. “It’s something that comes quite natural,” O’Brien said. “It would have been easy last pre-season for the gaffer to come in and as a young manager and a young coach to just sort of bend off the older lads. I’ve been at clubs where young coaches don’t really like any sort of pushback, or they feel maybe threatened or pushed back from older pros but that certainly wasn’t the case straight away.” Check out the latest discussions with the Pride of Nottingham and be sure to join in and have your say! Notts has started its search for a new CEO; share your thoughts on this process.

Notts County captain Kyle Cameron has committed his future to the club by signing a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old defender has been a crucial figure for the Magpies since his arrival two years ago. Cameron was out of contract this summer after leading Notts County to promotion at Wembley. The club's board of directors, together with head coach Luke Williams, are delighted to retain his services. The extension of Cameron's contract is a clear indication of the club's faith in his abilities and leadership. His performances on the pitch have been instrumental in the team's success and the club is confident that he will continue to play a vital role in their future. A statement published via the Notts County website praised Cameron's unique skillset as a left-sided centre-back. "Not only has he had a vital role as captain, but he’s also pivotal to how we play," the statement read. "He was part of a defence that conceded only 42 goals last season and, by retaining him, we ensure continuation in personnel which we hope will lead to another defensively-sound campaign." Cameron's ability on the ball and consistency in delivering dangerous crosses into the box were also highlighted. "Kyle has a very unique skillset as a left-sided centre-back, being so comfortable on the ball, confident in progressing the play and consistent in delivering dangerous crosses into the box," the statement continued. The club expressed their excitement at retaining Cameron and providing him with the right platform to continue his growth as a player. "We also feel we can provide Kyle with the right platform and environment to continue his growth as a player, and we’re excited to see how he performs over the next two seasons," the statement concluded. The news of Kyle Cameron’s contract extension has been met with great enthusiasm from Notts County fans. The club’s captain has been a key figure in their recent success and his commitment to the team for another two years is a positive sign for the future. With his unique skillset and leadership qualities, Cameron is sure to continue playing a vital role in the team’s success. The club and its supporters are excited to see what he will achieve in the coming seasons. Exciting news! Kyle Cameron has agreed to a new 2-year deal with Notts. Come share your thoughts with us. Do you have a moment to share your opinions on the latest football news? Check out the Pride of Nottingham’s dashboard page and join the discussion.

Jodi Jones, the winger for Notts County, has had quite a journey. After first joining on loan and helping the club fire themselves to promotion via Wembley, he signed a permanent 2-year-deal. Now, he's been called up to represent Malta and is preparing to play against England. In an interview with Nick Richardson of Notts County's media team, Jones shared his thoughts on his recent experiences with the Malta national team. "I was a little bit disappointed when I realised I wasn't going to get much of a summer," he said. "But it's part of football." Jones played in a different position than he's used to while with Malta. "When I come here I normally play as a striker but not as an out-and-out striker. I can kind of drop into the pockets and get the ball up and running behind as well," he explained. "I just try to get on the ball as much as possible. I love having the ball at my feet." Malta's formation is different from Notts County's, with wing backs and central defensive midfielders. "We try to play as compact as possible," Jones said. Despite this, he still tries to play in the pockets and adopt the striker role as a number 10 role. "I try to do a bit of both but yeah, I really enjoyed it. I was getting on the ball a lot making things happen." Jones also shared his thoughts on playing against England. "It's one of the biggest games of my life," he said. "Obviously, the game at Wembley for Notts was up there because of what it meant and where it was gonna take us. With this game, obviously, it's a bit different. People don't expect us to win." The general message from Malta's coaches going into the game against England is to work hard but smartly. "We don't want to concede any sloppy goals from set pieces," Jones said. "We want to stay in the game for as long as possible." Jones is learning a lot from his experiences with Malta and becoming a more well-rounded player. "I love learning when they tell me what to do, and they stay out with me and practice with me," he said. Notts County fans will be supporting Jones on Friday but also keeping an eye on his return for pre-season. Jones is in touch with the club and working with strength and conditioning coach Ian Hutton to prepare for the season. Jones' journey from Notts County to Malta national team has been an exciting one, and we can't wait to see what he'll do next. Check out this discussion on Fan of Big Tone dubbed ‘Jodi Jones is looking good’ and join in with PON. Do you enjoy hearing about fellow Magpie supporters and why they support Notts? Check out our story on Fan Tony ‘Poppa Bear’ Wood.

Tony Poppa Bear Wood has been a Notts County fan for around 39-40 years. Born in Beeston, Nottingham, he grew up watching football as a child. His love for Notts County began when his Grandad took him to his first game at the age of 3 or 4. "Back then it was an all-standing ground and I remember my grandad smoking his pipe and the smell. And from that day on, I was hooked on Notts County Football Club," he says. Tony's favourite memory as a Notts County fan is the Warnock era and the two back-to-back promotions via the playoffs. He went to both finals at the old Wembley. Standout matches include the FA Cup against Tottenham when Don O'Riordan scored the free kick. "Although we lost the game it still was a fantastic game," he says. Over the years, Tony has seen Notts County evolve. "Fans are very fickle; one week they are moaning because we lose, the next week they are shouting the praises of the team for winning," he says. He believes that Notts should do more of a free meet and greet with the squad. When asked what makes Notts County stand out from other teams in the league, Tony points to Luke Williams and Macauley Langstaff. "I think Luke Williams has made a massive impact on the team; we have heart, soul and passion and come together as a squad. Not forgetting Macauley Langstaff; what an absolute player he is," he says. Looking to the future, Tony is optimistic about Notts County's chances in the upcoming season. "I am really glad we gained promotion back to League 2 and gain our status back," he says. He believes that if they can keep hold of their current squad with a few new additions and keep gaining momentum, they can finish in the top half of League 2 and maybe even gain another promotion. Being a Notts County fan has even helped Tony through tough times in his life. "It was about 8 or 9 years ago, and I was rushed into hospital with double pneumonia and was in a coma; Notts County sent me a get-well card signed by all the players and manager at that time. And will never forget that," he shares. Tony's favourite Notts County chant or song is either Macauley Langstaff's song or Kyle Cameron's song, as well as Super Lukey Williams' song with "We know exactly what we need: Cameron at the back and Macca in attack." If he could say one thing to the players or coach, it would be: "Go out there and play real football; stop passing the ball back to the keeper... Attack is the best form of defence." He would also tell Aaron Nemane to run at players. If you enjoyed this article and would like to tell the Pride of Nottingham your story, then please contact the webmaster here. Check out the latest activity throughout the Pride of Nottingham website, join in and get involved! You are reading the background; we would love to get you on board. COYP!

INTERVIEW | JONES EXCITED TO FACE ENGLAND

In a recent interview, Notts County midfielder Jim O’Brien spoke about the club’s new signings. He expressed his excitement at having David McGoldrick join the squad, describing him as a player of “quality” who had a “long and distinguished career.” O’Brien also mentioned that McGoldrick turned down a deal to sign for the Rams opting for Notts County instead. “Well, first of all, to have someone of that quality on board is quite exciting for the club and for the dressing room,” O’Brien said. “25 goals last season and he’s 35, it’s pretty special. The fact that he turned down a deal at Derby to be here speaks volumes for the club, speaks volumes for him.” O’Brien also spoke about Sam Slocombe and Connell Rawlinson extending their stay at Meadow Lane. He described them both as important players for the club and expressed his pleasure at them staying on. “Connell’s one as well,” O’Brien said. “Maybe he probably thought last season he wasn’t going to play as much as he did and ended up getting in the team, and became an absolute machine for us at centre-back. So to have someone like that on board as well again is massive for the club.” Additionally, O’Brien mentioned Jodi Jones, who is staying with Notts County despite being in Malta preparing to play against England. O’Brien described Jones as an exciting player who can change a game quickly. “It took him a little while to get up to speed,” O’Brien said. “If we can get those defensive principles into him then I don’t see why he can’t play there [wing back]. Add another strength to his game if you like. Obviously we know he can operate in that number 8 position as well. It’s an exciting one.” O’Brien also spoke about Ruben Rodrigues moving on from Notts County. He praised Rodrigues’ progression in terms of maturity during his time with the club. “I think he deserves it,” O’Brien said. “I’ve seen a natural progression in Ruben in terms of maturity. He came here just wanting to nutmeg people and while he still did that, towards the end, his work rate over the years just became stronger and stronger.” O’Brien expressed optimism about the upcoming season and the new additions to the squad. He praised the quality of the new signings and their potential to contribute to the team’s success. O'Brien also spoke about the value of having experienced players like McGoldrick and Rawlinson on the squad. He said that their experience would be helpful in imparting knowledge onto younger players and helping them develop. "The fact that I've probably played my best football that I've played in my career last season is a big factor in me signing again," O'Brien said. "There was a part of me that maybe wanted to jump onto the coaching side of things with other opportunities but no, I'm not ready to stop yet. I'm fit, and I still feel that I've got a contribution to the team on the pitch and to the club." O'Brien expressed optimism about the upcoming season and the new additions to the squad. He praised the quality of the new signings and their potential to contribute to the team's success. Did you enjoy the article? Don’t forget to share it with a friend or leave a comment. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up! The Pride of Nottingham dashboard is your one-stop location for all our content. Visit now to get involved!

David McGoldrick has revealed that he snubbed higher leagues and higher wages to join Notts County, the club he supports and where he started his career. The striker, who scored 25 goals for Derby County last season, said he chose happiness over money and wanted to be part of the Magpies' project. McGoldrick, who joined Notts County on a two-year deal, said he had other offers from bigger clubs, but he felt Notts County was the right place for him. He said he was impressed by the direction of the club under manager Luke Williams and the style of football they played. He said: "The sole decision was, you know, obviously this is the team I support, and I'm a Nottingham boy so, you know, it's perfect in that sense but, you know, I've watched the club, the direction they're going, you know, under the gaffer, I've been to games this season, I've watched them on telly, I was at Wembley and I think it's the general football that they play, the buzz around the place, I think they were onto something here, and I want to be a part of it." He added: "There were other options, financially, and bigger leagues, but I've learned through my career and through my life that money doesn't bring happiness. I think you have to find that happiness inside yourself. That's the truly believe that in life." McGoldrick also spoke about his best goal scoring season at Derby County last season, where he scored 25 goals and narrowly missed out on the play-offs. He said he was grateful for the experience and the support he received from the manager Paul Warner, the staff and the players. He said: "It was a great season for me personally. We just missed shy of the play-offs on the last day, I'm sure you'll have seen that. But yeah, scoring 25 goals, the manager Paul Warner and his staff have been fantastic to me. The boys, the players, they've been brilliant. They've scored all those goals without them. It's a massive club, and I'm sure they'll be fine next year and be fighting for that top spot in League One with the fan base and the players and the staff they've got." McGoldrick also praised Macaulay Langstaff, who scored 42 goals for Notts County last season. He said he could play in different positions and roles to complement Langstaff and help the team. He said: "Yeah for sure you know it's not just a number nine I'm sure people that know my game will know that you know I can play in various positions like you say there's a fantastic number nine at the minute scoring goals, and hopefully he scores many, many, many goals next season as well. So yeah, I'm just coming to play my part." McGoldrick said he was looking forward to pre-season under Williams and eager to earn his place in the team. He said he wanted to prove himself to the fans and show them what the shirt means to him. He said: "It's all good being from Nottingham and supporting the club and saying the right things on camera that I am now, but I've got to go out there and show what the shirt means to me and put the hard work in and prove that I deserve to wear the shirt." PON member AmericanPie and the rest of us would like to hear your thoughts on Notts County’s future prospects. Have your say! Join the discussion and share your opinion on PUMA being the kit supplier for Notts. Are you happy with their selection?

Jim O’Brien has agreed to a one-year contract with our club. The veteran midfielder is set to continue his journey with us for another season. At 35 years old, O’Brien is our longest-serving player. He first joined us midway through the 2018-19 season and has been a key member of the squad ever since. Despite making a strong impact that season, he was unable to prevent our relegation from League Two. However, his 29 appearances and five goals in the 2022-23 season saw him make a significant contribution to our return to the EFL. The Notts County Board of Directors and head coach Luke Williams have released a joint statement: “Jim is an incredibly valued member of the squad, and we were eager to keep him on board. “His quality, mentality and tenacity have been demonstrated time and time again, both last season and in previous campaigns. “With nearly 550 career appearances under his belt, he has a wealth of experience to share with the group – a role he embraces wholeheartedly. “Jim’s leadership on and off the pitch has been invaluable to the team. He has been a mentor to many of our younger players and his influence has been instrumental in their development.” Furthermore, he has an incredible connection with our supporters. He has been with them through our relegation, the National League years and our eventual promotion. “We are thrilled to see him represent us in the EFL once again.” As Notts County prepares for its return to the English Football League, Jim O’Brien’s decision to extend his stay at the club for another year is a positive development. His experience, leadership and connection with the supporters will continue to be invaluable assets as the team looks forward to a successful season. We encourage all fans to leave a comment in the Pride of Nottingham discussion about Jim O’Brien extending his stay for one more season. Charlie Slater has shared a story about David McGoldrick. Have a read and let us know your thoughts on this.

INTERVIEW | JIM O'BRIEN EXTENDS STAY