PON_News

Notts County have signed Wycombe Wanderers striker Craig Mackail-Smith on a loan deal until the end of the season. The 34-year-old former Scotland international has scored 185 goals in a five-club career, which has included three spells with Peterborough United. He has made 25 appearances this season and scored three goals, but has only started 13 league games. Mackail-Smith will immediately go into the squad to face Lincoln City at Meadow Lane this weekend. “Craig has built a very good reputation in the game,” said Neal Ardley. “In this window we wanted to add players who know how to excel at this level, along with a couple of exciting young prospects. We wanted that mix of experience and quality. “He makes me feel tired just watching him play. He doesn’t stop running – he’s still got that yard of pace he’s always had and he’s got a lot of know-how and experience. “Adding Craig on top of Mitch Rose is great and we’re hopeful of possibly adding another couple in the next day or so.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Since the establishment of the Pride of Nottingham online shop, Notts County fans have been able to get their hands on some exclusive prints. The PON Merch store boasts a wide array of different prints, from general Notts-theme artwork such as Magpies and Meadow Lane to players past and present. We have featured the likes of Notts legends like Jimmy Sirrel and Tommy Lawton to more recent players like Matt Tootle and Ross Fitzsimons, plus much more. Now, with several new PON prints being released over the last couple of weeks, we need your help to spread the word within the Notts community - and you could win prizes in the process! We have two prizes available to win - one A3 print and one A4 print, and to enter, this is all you need to do: Get on your Twitter account, follow us at @PONmerch, like the below tweet, and retweet it! Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Neal Ardley has issued a rallying call to his Notts County players, urging them not to feel sorry for themselves and to show character in an attempt to survive relegation from League Two. The Magpies are in dire straits at present, sitting seven points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Football League and with fans having genuine concerns about a drop into the non-league abyss. Ardley, County's third boss this season, insists he understands how the fans are feeling due to the fact the club is on the precipice, but stressed that the squad must try to banish it from their minds. “They’ve got to put their shoulders back and not feel sorry for themselves,” he told the Nottingham Post. “We’ve got 17 games left and we’ve got to do it. We can’t let the negativity affect us. “It’s tough and I understand how the fans feel. I am busting my proverbials to try and change it. I will keep doing that. “You can crumble and go ‘oh this is tough’ and say 'I am low on confidence', but no I don’t want that. We’ve got to show some character.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Hello and welcome to PONcast Extra: Is Time Running out for Notts County? In this special edition of Pride of Nottingham's podcast, we talk about the club's relegation battle. We also reflect where it all went wrong for Notts, looking at factors like managers and owner Alan Hardy. In addition, we discuss pressing matters both on and off the field. We also speak about what The Magpies can actually do to get out of the relegation zone and survive in the Football League All this and more only in the PONcast Extra: Is Time Running out for Notts County? Share your thoughts about this podcast on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

It's now getting seriously concerning at Meadow Lane as Notts County have now slipped six points from safety after losing 1-0 to Cambridge United on Saturday. Despite a bumper crowd at the San Sirrel and an opponent in the lower reaches of League Two, the Magpies once again failed to put up a good enough fight, and a record of four wins from 28 games has relegation written all over it. Notts weren't at the races for much of the first half, although Kristian Dennis came close to opening the scoring with a shot on the turn from Elliott Hewitt's delivery midway through. However, they fell behind on 41 minutes when Greg Taylor rose to meet George Maris’s corner at the back post and headed across goal beyond the reach of debutant goalkeeper Ryan Schofield. Neal Ardley's side threatened on the stroke of half time, though, when Jim O’Brien’s long-range effort was tipped around the post by U's stopper David Forde. The best chance for the hosts came in the second half when Dennis connected with Cedric Evina's delivery but the ball rolled right across the goalline, and that was pretty much it as Colin Calderwood's side held out for the win. Pride of Nottingham was at the Lane for the game and took photos of the Black & White Army. See if you've made this weekend's Faces of PON and tag yourself and your loved ones. Share your thoughts about this gallery on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

It's now getting seriously concerning at Meadow Lane as Notts County have now slipped six points from safety after losing 1-0 to Cambridge United on Saturday. Despite a bumper crowd at the San Sirrel and an opponent in the lower reaches of League Two, the Magpies once again failed to put up a good enough fight, and a record of four wins from 28 games has relegation written all over it. Notts weren't at the races for much of the first half, although Kristian Dennis came close to opening the scoring with a shot on the turn from Elliott Hewitt's delivery midway through. However, they fell behind on 41 minutes when Greg Taylor rose to meet George Maris’s corner at the back post and headed across goal beyond the reach of debutant goalkeeper Ryan Schofield. Neal Ardley's side threatened on the stroke of half time, though, when Jim O’Brien’s long-range effort was tipped around the post by U's stopper David Forde. The best chance for the hosts came in the second half when Dennis connected with Cedric Evina's delivery but the ball rolled right across the goalline, and that was pretty much it as Colin Calderwood's side held out for the win. Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane and documented his pre, mid and post-match thoughts. Share your thoughts about this vlog on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

It's now getting seriously concerning at Meadow Lane as Notts County have now slipped six points from safety after losing 1-0 to Cambridge United on Saturday. Despite a bumper crowd at the San Sirrel and an opponent in the lower reaches of League Two, the Magpies once again failed to put up a good enough fight, and a record of four wins from 28 games has relegation written all over it. Notts weren't at the races for much of the first half, although Kristian Dennis came close to opening the scoring with a shot on the turn from Elliott Hewitt's delivery midway through. However, they fell behind on 41 minutes when Greg Taylor rose to meet George Maris’s corner at the back post and headed across goal beyond the reach of debutant goalkeeper Ryan Schofield. Neal Ardley's side threatened on the stroke of half time, though, when Jim O’Brien’s long-range effort was tipped around the post by U's stopper David Forde. The best chance for the hosts came in the second half when Dennis connected with Cedric Evina's delivery but the ball rolled right across the goalline, and that was pretty much it as Colin Calderwood's side held out for the win. Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts have met Cambridge 30 times in their history. Notts: 11 Draw: 8 Cambridge: 11 Notts’ 3-2 defeat in the second game of the 2018/19 season means that they have lost 6 of their last 8 games against Cambridge. Stats Notts have only one win in their last 15 games, drawing six and losing eight. Cambridge have not won away since October, but new manager Colin Calderwood has boosted their chances of avoiding relegation with two recent home wins against Crawley and Stevenage. Seasons in each division Division One (or Prem): 0 Division Two (or Champ): 8 Division Three (or League 1): 9 Division Four (or League 2): 22 Non-League: 9 Elected to Football League in 1970 Head to head stats and where they rank Goals Scored: Notts – 29 (joint 16th with Swindon and Grimsby), Cambridge – 24 (23rd) Goals conceded: Notts – 56 (1st), Cambridge – 47 (2nd) Top scorer: Notts – Kane Hemmings and Jon Stead (7), Cambridge – Jevani Brown (5) Most appearances: Notts - Ross Fitzsimons (27), Cambridge – George Maris (26) Team News Notts have new signings Ryan Schofield and Jim O’Brien available for this weekends crunch clash with Cambridge. Fellow new recruit Ben Barclay will look to retain his place in the starting line-up after making his debut against Colchester. Enzio Boldewijn has returned to training ahead of schedule but will be nursed back slowly from his injury that he picked up at the end of November. Lewis Alessandra started in Notts’ reserve match earlier this week against Doncaster and was on the bench against Colchester as he looks to return from injury. Kane Hemmings and Elliott Hewitt may be doubts for the game. Reggie Lambe, who has 4 goals this season for Cambridge, could be doubtful for Saturday’s game. As could central midfielder Liam O’Neil. New signing Rushian Hepburn-Murphy will be available for the game after signing on loan from Aston Villa. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

As of Thursday afternoon, Notts County have made several moves in the transfer market as well as a contract update. First up is winger Terry Hawkridge being released from his Magpies contract so he could pursue an opportunity with another club. No team has been mentioned as of 3pm but Neal Ardley said he's being pursued by a few clubs, so best of luck to him. Then is the loan signing of 19-year-old Huddersfield goalkeeper Ryan Schofield, was England’s number one when they won the 2017 Toulon Tournament. And the third update is that defender Cedric Evina has extended his contact at Meadow Lane until the end of the season. The full-back's deal was set to expire this month but he will now remain with Notts until at least the summer, at which point hopefully there will be another League Two season in store. Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Neal Ardley has spoken of how Notts County were going in for a player but just before the signing could be completed, it turned out he would be out for six weeks. The Magpies boss also elaborated on other players who could be coming in, with one decision seemingly close and others in the pipeline. Ardley was speaking after Saturday's 3-3 draw with Colchester, a good performance that was still beset by defensive issues and yielded one point despite Notts being 3-1 up. “We had an offer in for a player which was agreed and all ready to go, but he had a little niggle and was told it might be seven to 10 days,” he told the Nottingham Post. “But then we find out he has got a fracture in his foot and he is out for six weeks. “That was a blow because that one was done and dusted. Until they have signed on the line, and pulling the shirt on you can’t ever be sure. “But we have another offer in for a player that we hope will be in next week. I will be disappointed if he isn’t. “There are another couple of players who have gone away to make decisions on what we’ve put to them and hopefully they will be positive ones.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Not the best way to start a new year, but then again 99% of this season has been a complete flop for Notts County so really, why expect things to change? The Magpies, buoyed by their performance against Bury last time out, took to the Oldham pitch with the same starting XI and things were initially promising in the League Two New Year's Day clash at Boundary Park. Following some good pressing from the visitors, Cedric Evina weighed in with the first opportunity of the game when he fired a first-time effort over the bar. Pierce Bird, the young defender who was superb against the Shakers, then came so close to the opener when his header was cleared off the line by Gevaro Nepomuceno. At the other end, Callum Lang tested Ross Fitzsimons with an effort from a tight angle and the Latics began growing into the game as Jordan Lyden crossed from the left for Mohamed Maouche to blast wide. Just five minutes before the break, Tom Hamer's miscued cross from the right was too heavy and sailed over everyone - but in true Notts 18/19 style, dipped into the far corner of Fitzsimons' net for the hosts' opener. Things then turned worse minutes after the restart when Johan Branger-Engone delivered a freekick for Captain Peter Clarke to bundle home, and then finished on the sourest note as substitute Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain was sent off for a second yellow card. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County put in a much-improved performance against Bury in a goalless draw that saw warm applause by the Black & White Army at full time. Neal Ardley had clearly talked some sense into his ailing players as they were bright from the off, with Rob Milsom going close with heading wide before rifling wide from just outside of the box, while Shaun Brisley also came close. David Vaughan then smashed the post with a superb effort from long range, while Kristian Dennis and Andy Kellett missed gilt-edged opportunities before the break, giving the Notts fans something to smile about - something which hasn't really happened often this season. In the second half, Bury picked up the pace as Chris Stokes headed just wide, but Notts soon regained the momentum and were given a superb opportunity from the spot when Andy Kellett's cross was handled in the box Jon Stead, County's top scorer with eight goals this season, took to the spot, but this time, Mr Reliable spurned the opportunity as he shanked his effort way over the bar into the Kop. Notts did dust themselves off and continued to impress, with Matt Tootle seeing a half-volley palmed away by Bury goalkeeper Joe Murphy, but in the end, the spoils were shared at the San Sirrel, with Notts three adrift of safety. Pride of Nottingham was at Meadow Lane and took photos of the home fans - see if you can spot yourself in this weekend's Faces of PON! Share your thoughts about this gallery on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Some pros and some cons at Meadow Lane this afternoon as Notts County failed to beat Bury, with Jon Stead missing a penalty, but put in a much-improved performance that saw warm applause by the Black & White Army at full time. Neal Ardley had clearly talked some sense into his ailing players as they were bright from the off, with Rob Milsom going close with heading wide before rifling wide from just outside of the box, while Shaun Brisley also came close. David Vaughan then smashed the post with a superb effort from long range, while Kristian Dennis and Andy Kellett missed gilt-edged opportunities before the break, giving the Notts fans something to smile about - something which hasn't really happened often this season. In the second half, Bury picked up the pace as Chris Stokes headed just wide, but Notts soon regained the momentum and were given a superb opportunity from the spot when Andy Kellett's cross was handled in the box Stead, County's top scorer with eight goals this season, took to the spot, but this time, Mr Reliable spurned the opportunity as he shanked his effort way over the bar into the Kop. Notts did dust themselves off and continued to impress, with Matt Tootle seeing a half-volley palmed away by Bury goalkeeper Joe Murphy, but in the end, the spoils were shared at the San Sirrel, with Notts three adrift of safety. Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts have met Bury 118 times in their history. Notts: 43 Draw: 28 Bury: 47 Bury won the reverse fixture 4-0 at Gigg Lane in a match they dominated from start to finish. It was a result that stopped Notts’ five game unbeaten run. It was this result that started the fall back down the table and eventually led to the sacking of Harry Kewell. Stats Notts have won 1 of their last 12 league games (a sequence which started with the 4-0 loss at Bury earlier in the season). One positive (a rare thing at the moment) is that Notts have scored in both home games Neal Ardley has took charge of. Whilst their home form has been brilliant with four successive wins at Gigg Lane, Bury have hit a bad patch away from home in which they are winless in three (2-2 vs Cambridge, 4-2 vs Oldham and 2-1 vs Mansfield). Danger man Danny Mayor has completed the most successful dribbles this season in League Two with 128. Seasons in each division First Division (or Prem): 22 Second Division (or Champ): 39 Third Division (or League 1): 29 Fourth Division (or League 2): 23 Notts vs Bury (head to head stats and where they rank) Goals scored: Notts – 26 (joined 17th with Yeovil and Morecambe), Bury – 45 (1st) Goals conceded: Notts – 51 (1st), Bury – 28 (joined 17th with Port Vale) Top Scorer: Notts – Kane Hemmings (7), Bury – Nicky Maynard (9) Most appearances this season: Notts – Ross Fitzsimons (24), Bury – Joe Murphy, Chris Stokes, Adam Thompson (24) Team News Enzio Boldewijn and Lewis Alessandra will not be returning until past the new year. Elliott Hewitt was subbed off with an injury early into Wednesday’s game with Macclesfield and may miss out here. Keston Davies will be suspended after his late red card against the Silkmen. Ben Hall is out long term and will probably not make another appearance for Notts this season. Bury made changes for their game against Mansfield and manager Ryan Lowe may want to change the team again. Top scorer Nicky Maynard and top assists leader in the league, Nicky Adams were two players who may return to the starting XI. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Well, it's finally got to that stage - Notts County are bottom of League Two, bottom of the Football League, and bottom of the entire pyramid of professional English football. 92/92. ???????? Macclesfield Town, managed by one-time Magpie Sol Campbell, put in a display that overshadowed the hosts at Meadow Lane and claimed a 2-1 win which saw them leapfrog Notts off the foot of League Two. Frankly, it's the same old story. An overall turgid display, the odd good moment following the equaliser where County looked as though they would go into the lead, only for shoddy defending to prove our downfall. Scott Wilson rattled home the opener in the first hald, making the most of plenty of space to apply a good finish past Ross Fitzsimons. Against the run of play, the second half brought a leveller for Neal Ardley's side when good hustling from Jon Stead lead to Keston Davies squaring for Kane Hemmings to drive home. Nine minutes from time, however, Wilson once again had the freedom of the area to sweep the ball into the bottom corner of the net nine minutes from time. Although the Silkmen saw a man sent off late on, the numerical advantage was chalked off as Davies was then shown a straight red card for firing the ball into an opposition player's face while on the ground. Well... despite the performance and result, it was nonetheless good to see the Black & White Army present to show their support. Pride of Nottingham was on hand to take some photos - see if you can spot yourself in our festive Faces of PON! Share your thoughts about this gallery on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.