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Thanks very much to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog. If you’ve enjoyed it, I’d be grateful if you’d consider following my main page. I like to keep things light-hearted to help spread a smile, and it means a lot to see such a positive response. For me, tone matters. I think it should be a bit quirky and playful, something that helps you stand out from the crowd. I love making people laugh and smile, and this blog is a fun way for me to share that with everyone.

There’s no doubt that the Pride of Nottingham shows how much passion and hard work you’ve put into the club, @Chris . The site’s in a strong place, and it’s great to be part of a community that looks out for each other. PON is a top place to chat about the club, and I really appreciate all the time and effort that goes into running it. It’s great to see so many members getting involved and keeping things lively. Off the back of all this praise, I’d like to thank everyone who’s able to support the site by subscribing, and a big thank you to @Michael D Pie. for what sounds like a tremendous effort on his part.

Hot off the press! a fresh football pie blog served up for the PON crowd to tuck into. If it tickles your taste buds, feel free to leave a reaction or a comment.

New blog’s up! Short, sharp, and hopefully not too daft. I welcome comments, unless it’s to suggest I take up mime. I write to make smiles, not to knock the club.

The world of football is a place where hopes rise and fall quicker than the English summer. Notts, with its eyes locked on the brass ring of promotion, has made its intentions clear: up the table or bust. This ambitious quest for glory has offloaded Stuart Maynard, our ex-head coach, to the annals of "what could have been." In his stead, we welcome Martin Paterson, whose introduction has divided fans as neatly as a knife through a contentious pie. Entering Meadow Lane feels like encountering numerous fresh faces all prepared to assist us in pursuing our ambitious aspirations. Ollie Norburn stands ready to assume command in the midfield and we must not disregard our latest striker acquisition, Matthew Dennis, aged 23 from Carlisle United. Word has it he has been outpacing defenders with remarkable ease. The squad has also been seasoned with the likes of Tom Iorpenda, a loanee from Wigan, and the Afghan sensation Maziar Kouhyar, expertly adding a dash of international flair to the midfield. Our goalkeeping woes, a Shakespearean tragedy unto themselves, find solace in young Harry Griffiths, who stands valiantly ready to catch more than just colds. The tactical wisdom underpinning these acquisitions appears based on increased creativity in midfield, complemented by Norburn and Iorpenda's versatility. Yet, in what could only be described as a tale begging for a melodramatic twist, Alex Bass has exited the picture. His departure and the bewildering cancellation of a friendly match with his acquiring club have spun enough yarn to knit a conspiracy theory sweater. Was it a case of cold feet or even colder negotiations? Who’s to say? Rest assured, our speculation retains the vividness of an abstract painting - colourful, yet unclear. The past 2024-25 season taught lessons with the ominous absence of Macaulay Langstaff, now at Millwall, leaving us feeling much like a jilted lover. To compound matters, Junior Morias’s loan and Cedwyn Scott's sale to Carlisle United have left Notts's frontline resembling a solo act rather than a full band. Nevertheless, the partnership between Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick channels a harmony only rivalled by Lennon and McCartney - a potent duo turbocharging Notts's campaign for near glory. Then there's Bass, that stalwart guardian between the posts, whose departure is akin to removing the heart from an otherwise sturdy body. His contribution was a buoyant force in our defence, whose exit leaves us clutching at straws faster than a scoliosis test on a Monday morning. The defensive signings of Jacob Bedeau and Matty Platt seem valiant, but without a confident keeper, they might just be the proverbial knights missing their trusty steeds. The lesson from seasons past rings louder than the chime of Big Ben: cash is king, and quality must be queen. The Reedtz brothers have done a stellar job ushering improvements both on the pitch and away from it. Yet, with the spectre of promotion ever present, now more than ever, savvy spending becomes the clarion call. The team desperately requires additional talented players especially a skilled goalkeeper. This need is as evident as the intense atmosphere during a penalty shootout. In this grand theatre of sport, balancing hope with reality is the dance for any ambitious club. Losing players who lit up the pitch is undoubtedly a bitter pill, but this accentuates the urgency of recruiting talent capable of reinventing our story. Will Jarvis's arrival brings excitement, while Mai Traore's role remains a tantalizing mystery, much like the whereabouts of the last odd sock. With our new coach’s attacking zeal, bolstered by further signings, it’s a concoction that might just brew a season to remember. Or, in classic Notts fashion, we may spend our time grappling with playoff fate. Football is the unpredictable whirlwind it always has been, but at least we aren't hurtling headfirst towards relegation - knock on wood. As the curtain rises on this thrilling saga, eyes will nervously follow each incoming talent. These players are like the threads that will decide whether Notts climbs to greatness or ends up with a story that didn’t quite meet expectations. This season is no ordinary one. It has surprises many unexpected events suspense & loads of drama all combined.

It’s heartbreaking to hear that someone has lost their life in an accident. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota.

It would be typical of Notts to react quickly when news gets leaked or shared, but it's not unusual for a friendly to be called off if there’s a worry about protecting a player or avoiding confusion that could cause problems. These things always lead to speculation. Maybe Notts are trying to avoid losing more players to Peterborough and thought the friendly might give them a chance to spot someone else. Or it could be that Peterborough arranged the match to get a closer look at Alex Bass, thinking their bid might not go through. Perhaps they planned to make a move after the game, but instead made the offer early.

He seems like a decent prospect, and time spent in a setup like ours could really help him grow. Whether there’s any truth to the talk, I’ve no idea. He’s versatile too, able to play on both wings and in the middle behind the striker, which would give us some useful choices going forward. I’m sure not everyone would be thrilled if he signed, but I would be. With the right time and support, he might turn into a real gem for us.

@Fan of Big Tone, Technically, it’s a bed sheet, but I went with “sheets” for a bit more style. It just rolls off the tongue better, even if it’s not spot on.

Not at all, just like @Chris s said. No fee ever changed hands when he signed or afterwards. It was just another Munto fairy tale. Some have claimed the payment was made, but that’s long been proven nonsense. Kasper even cleared it up on a podcast with Joe Hart, saying he gave up his wages and came in on a free. Not everything got sorted, but enough was done to stop the club from going under. There were stacks of unpaid bills, and the Trews got lucky that no one came knocking for them. While they did keep us afloat, I reckon someone else would have stepped in. Even so, it was the right call not to send the club into administration. Kasper Schmeichel Transfer Histo...Kasper Schmeichel Transfer HistoryAn overview of all transfers made by Kasper Schmeichel (38), a Danish professional footballer who now plays for Celtic.

You have to wonder what Ray Trew and Alan Hardy make of it all. Munto, with nothing in the bank but big promises, ended up delivering a season they could only dream of. For all the dodgy dealings behind the scenes, that campaign brought a buzz back to Notts. It reminded everyone we were still a big name in lower league football, and for once, we actually looked like champions. The fallout could’ve been a disaster. Sven walking away from his wages, Kasper not costing a penny in the end, and Man City somehow getting ghosted on a transfer fee, it’s madness. But what a ride it was.

Notts took a risk by making Aidan Stone the first-choice keeper, then pulled off a masterstroke by bringing in Alex Bass. The two are miles apart in quality, which just goes to show how vital the role is. Stone never seemed to get the backing that Sam Slocombe had. Maybe with that support and a stronger defence, he'd have come on more. It's hard to grow when you’re constantly firefighting. Now that the defence has settled, it's key the club brings in another keeper like they did with Bass. Someone solid who gives confidence right through the team. I’m gutted the club sold Bass. Some positions should be off-limits unless the offer is silly money. It’s much harder to find a quality keeper than it is to plug a gap outfield. We nailed it with Bass. Before that, it was more of a lucky dip with gloves on.

It’s mad how quickly some ex-footballers age once they hang up their boots. Keith Andrews now looks like he's seen the script for every episode of Dallas, and played a part in most of them too. Still, fair play to him landing a job at Brentford. They're one of the few clubs that seem to be reading football’s modern playbook instead of clinging to the past.

Heatwaves are the only time of year when footballers actually queue up for ice baths. Usually, it's all moaning and waddling, but in this heat, they dive in like penguins at a pool party. Getting out of bed this morning felt like peeling myself off Velcro. My bedsheets had wrapped around me tighter than a clingy ex. I felt like a turtle trying to stand upright on all fours, except, crucial detail, I've only got two legs and zero shell protection. 🙃

It's hard to judge his potential without seeing him play. He doesn't appear to have much experience beyond the youth level, which makes you wonder if he's been brought in for the B team. I've got no problem with giving the lad a chance, he must have shown something to catch the eye of bigger clubs. But I do wonder where he's going to get the experience he needs. At his age, he really should be pushing for a place in the first team.

It’s good to have Sam Slocombe involved as a coach. I think he’ll bring a lot to the role and settle in well. I did hope the club might find a way to keep Jim O’Brien. Even though he’s with Sheffield United’s youth team, he would’ve been a brilliant addition to Martin Paterson’s coaching setup. Jim’s experience and strong personality made him a natural leader on the pitch. He could’ve offered some real insight and helped shape the group. Still, I’m glad Sam has got the chance and I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.

If someone said no after being offered the job, I’d hope the club would be open about it. But no matter what, there will always be talk and guessing from fans. Notts might get more interest if they gave the head coach more control, like a traditional manager. But the current setup has worked well for us and the club is moving forward. Things probably won’t change until the club grows more. In the meantime, Notts have to keep finding ways to stay one step ahead.

The way he gave his answer and the tone of his voice don’t make it seem like Chris was being dishonest when he said Martin Pearson was his first choice. He spoke about having interviewed a lot of people and having long talks, so if Pearson wasn’t the one who impressed most, that would probably have come across more clearly. It’s a really good interview and gives a lot of insight into what happened behind the scenes. It could be that the club has a fixed wage for the head coach role, and the candidates they looked at were all happy with that. Paterson may have simply stood out most to the board.The way he gave his answer and the tone of his voice don’t make it seem like Chris was being dishonest when he said Martin Pearson was his first choice. He spoke about having interviewed a lot of people and having long talks, so if Pearson wasn’t the one who impressed most, that would probably have come across more clearly. It’s a really good interview and gives a lot of insight into what happened behind the scenes. It could be that the club has a fixed wage for the head coach role, and the candidates they looked at were all happy with that. Paterson may have simply stood out most to the board.

Sadly, we are Notts County, a club where mistakes do happen, and common sense doesn’t always come through. That’s why we have the chant, “I had a wheelbarrow, the wheel fell off,” because it feels like Notts were the ones who gave it to us that way. All jokes aside, the club is bound to get things wrong now and then, but I’d like to believe they’ve taken something from the experience. I can’t imagine the Reedtz brothers were pleased with the reaction or the letdown.

Hello, @BridgyPie. 👋🏻We are excited to see you join us. Welcome to the community!

Archie Mair would be a smart choice. He’s still got room to grow and improve as a keeper. He already has a strong link with the club, which makes him feel like a natural fit. Signing him could work out well for Notts. There’s real potential there.

The pace of the match has increased, though not every game is this back and forth. It was a fantastic final. At times it felt like walking football, but the quality was still easy to see. Once the goals started going in, the match really came to life. I've watched older World Cup matches, and even when you already know the outcome, they can still be good fun to watch.

Happy Birthday, young man. I hope you are celebrating in style. All the best @Fan of Big Tone.

I'm after a strong, traditional home shirt for Notts. Thick stripes, but not too chunky. It always amazes me how Newcastle usually gets it right with their home shirts. If we go for something like the 2002 design or even the 1998 one, I'd be more than happy with it.

I haven't been to the cinema in at least a decade, or at least I don't remember going before that. There's something nostalgic about watching films on TV now, so I’m happy to wait for them to be shown there. I usually check an online TV guide and pick out films to watch at home. I can't be bothered with all that streaming. I had Netflix back in the day when it was the main service, but they're all overpriced now.