Joe Jones

Alan Hardy has claimed that Notts County will be on standby to possibly re-sign Jorge Grant on loan should he fail to cement a first-team place at Nottingham Forest. The 22-year-old was on the fringes of the Reds first team in the previous campaign but, when taken on by Kevin Nolan midway through the season, had a huge impact. Grant made 17 appearances and scored six goals from midfield to give the Magpies a huge shot in the arm and ended up surviving relegation from League Two with several games to spare. As a reward, he was offered a new three-year contract at the City Ground, which he signed, but Hardy wrote in his weekly Nottingham Post column that Notts would be in pole position to take him on temporarily once again. He wrote: "Obviously we had been hoping to sign him permanently because he's such a fantastic talent, but as soon as Forest put that deal on the table, I knew he was going to sign it. "If I was in his position, I would have done exactly the same because, let's face it, how many three-year contracts get handed out these days? "They are incredibly rare and at 22, Jorge is at that age where he needs to be settled and allowed to purely concentrate on his football. "From what I understand, Mark Warburton, the Forest manager, has told all the players it is a clean slate, which obviously puts Jorge in an exciting position. "He will now go away hoping to force his way into the first team, and I hope he is afforded the chance to prove himself over the course of pre-season. "With the new owner in place and the manager, Warburton, having his first full transfer window to make new signings, that could mean Jorge is pushed down the pecking order. "If that proves to be the case and there is a chance that he will go out on loan again, then we will be the first in the queue. "I would absolutely love to have Jorge back at Notts if the chance arises again, but you can't begrudge him a shot of trying to get into Forest's first team. "But there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that his performances for us at Notts were pivotal in Forest's decision to award him a new contract. "If he had just been sitting on the bench and had not signed for us, the likelihood of him earning a three-year deal would have been extremely remote. "I know Jorge thoroughly enjoyed his time here with us. The supporters loved him and he was a credit to himself during the few months he was here. "He is a lovely lad who can sprinkle stardust on a game so it's a situation we will be constantly monitoring as we look to make new signings." To read the rest of Alan Hardy's Nottingham Post column this week, click here. 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.

Notts County have received positive feedback from Arsenal for how they coached Marc Bola during his loan spell at Meadow Lane, Alan Hardy has claimed. The 19-year-old left-back joined the Magpies on loan in January and impressed in his 13 appearances for Kevin Nolan's side. With Notts now likely more in good stead with clubs higher up the football pyramid due to their credentials in handling and nurturing young loanees, it is an avenue that the Magpies owner is looking to pursue. "Marc was a huge success for us and he produced some excellent performances," Hardy told the Nottingham Post. "I received some lovely correspondence from Arsenal saying that he had learned so much from his time with us. "It's good to know we can help these players develop, while obviously helping us at the same time. "The loan market is something we will use before the window shuts and the manager already has targets in mind. "I think the Premier League clubs know that if they send their players to us, we will give them games and ultimately help them develop." 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.

So it's set in stone - Jorge Grant had signed a new three-year deal at Nottingham Forest. Naturally I was pretty gutted - for weeks I had been hoping that maybe, just maybe, the Reds would have thought "nah, we don't really need him - let's just let him go". And then Grant would have opted to remain in Nottingham and signed for Notts County, and we could have celebrated a pretty spectacular coup from Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan. But let's be realistic for a moment. Why would Forest decide to just let a 22-year-old academy product, that is already on their books, and has shown vast improvement in just a few months on loan in a team in a challenging division, which at the time of joining was fighting for its Football League future, and contributed to their eventual survival, and over the next few seasons could go on to become Premier League quality - why would they let him walk away for nothing? As own goals go, that wouldn't even be Chris Brass or Jamie Pollock level - it would be full-on Theresa May (although I'm sure Forest would at least get the timing of the Mexican wave right). In terms of Grant's own future, he's come through the ranks at the City Ground, so it's pretty natural for him to want to cement a first-team place at the team which has nurtured him throughout the years, plus with them still being in the Championship and, crucially, under new ownership, there is that renewed hope (for them lot anyway) that Forest might go on an upward trajectory. So yeah, it's a massive shame that the outcome hasn't quite gone the way I - and all other Notts fans - would have wanted. But we've got to look at the positives. In terms of Grant's services, he *could* yet be dispatched on loan again next season at Meadow Lane, so there is always that hope, no matter how slender. And even if he doesn't, I will take solace in something that Hardy said a while back which, though somewhat controversial, makes perfect logical business sense - the strengthening of relations between Forest and Notts. Yes, I would rather put deep heat on my unmentionables than be seen in a Forest top, and yes, I will carry on singing about it always being a faeces-related expletive on the red side of the Trent, and when chanting about Nottingham being full of fun, the third item on the list (won't mention the first two, family site and all that) will always be County instead of that other team. But in terms of the relationship between the two clubs at community and at boardroom level, it helps to have the two teams on good terms. And the Grant loan not only gave Notts impetus to go on to survive in the Football League, but it also allowed the player himself to flourish and, with a new season on the horizon, Forest have themselves a much-improved player that could potentially spearhead a turnaround in their recent fortunes. And as for Grant himself, he never even had to leave the city, which saved him having to leave his family and friends behind, faff around trying to find new accomodation, get used to a new part of the country and so on and so on. And that kind of thing does not go unnoticed, so there's every chance that other loan dealings can be sorted out to the benefit of all three parties (Notts, Forest, and player), which can only be a good thing. So as much at it sucks having that sliver of hope regarding Grant potentially becoming a permanent Notts player taken away, I'm looking at the bigger picture and it's very much reassuring - in the short and long term, it's proven a success story for all three parties. Share your thoughts about this feature article 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.

Jorge Grant has thanked Notts County for having taken him on loan last season and playing a huge part in helping him win a new Nottingham Forest contract. The 22-year-old was on the fringes of the Reds first team in the previous campaign but, when taken on by Kevin Nolan midway through the season, had a huge impact. Grant made 17 appearances and scored six goals from midfield to give the Magpies a huge shot in the arm and ended up surviving relegation from League Two with several games to spare. His loan spell at Meadow Lane ultimately saw Forest offer him a new three-year contract, which he signed this week, and he admits he probably wouldn't have had that chance were it not for his successful Notts spell. "I loved it (at Notts). I've got to thank the chairman, the manager and the players," Grant told the Forest website. "They've helped me get to the position I'm in with the new contract. I owe them a massive thanks and the fans were amazing. "I didn't get the chance to go week in, week out here, but I did over the road and I got a few goals. I played some of my best football so hopefully I can do that here. "I don't want to go back to not playing so I'm going to go give it my all in pre-season and hopefully impress the manager." 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.

Jorge Grant's long-term future has now been decided, and the 22-year-old has decided to stay put at Nottingham Forest. There goes the slender hope we had of potentially signing our undisputed loan star last season. In hindsight, it was a no-brainer for Forest to offer him a contract and, with the club in the Championship and under new ownership, Grant cannot be faulted for staying put - not to mention it's the club where he came through the ranks, so he'll of course be wanting to win himself a first-team place there. But there's no point crying over spilt milk. Kevin Nolan will surely have been aware that the likelihood of Grant being released by Forest, and indeed of Grant opting to leave them once a new contract offer was on the table, was slender. There is no doubt that Nolan will be scouting the loan market this off season with an eye on bringing more Premier League or Championship youngsters to Meadow Lane. Indeed, I feel the loan market is where Notts can bring in the quality needed to give the team an extra edge in League Two, an incredibly competitive and even competition where anyone can beat anyone else. Grant's success in the black and white stripes turned out to be a success for all three parties involved - Notts stayed up thanks to Grant's play and goals, the player himself developed massively in a short space of time and ended up bagging himself a new deal at his parent club, and Forest now have an asset which will benefit their own squad. Given how Notts will likely have gone up highly in Forest's estimations with regards to developing their players, it wouldn't be unrealistic to suggest Nolan is likely to be given first dibs for any other Reds youngsters who need first-team action. And this isn't just between Forest and Notts. The other loanees who joined in the second half of the season also left Meadow Lane wiser and more experienced than when they came in, with Arsenal's Marc Bola singing County's praises following his stint in Nottingham. And of course who can forget the impact made by two other young loanees a few seasons back - Callum McGregor and Jack Grealish? The former is now a treble winner at Celtic, the latter has since carved out a first-team place at Aston Villa. Put simply, as of summer 2017 Notts have a stellar reputation when it comes to nurturing young loanees, and when you add Nolan's clout and his little book of contacts to the concoction, it means we may well see plenty more talented young loanees wearing the black and white stripes in months, maybe even years, to come. Share your thoughts about this feature article 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.

The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup (League Cup) will take place this Friday at 1pm BST. Thai energy drinks company Carabao, as the new sponsors of the competition until 2020, will be holding the draw in Bangkok. The first round will see all 48 League One and Two clubs, plus 22 of the 24 Championship opponents who enter at this stage. Notts, who are ball number 30, are unseeded in the northern section of the draw and could face one of the following opponents on the week beginning August 7: 1. Barnsley 2. Blackburn Rovers 3. Bolton Wanderers 4. Bradford City 5. Burton Albion 6. Derby County 7. Fleetwood Town 8. Leeds United 9. Nottingham Forest 10. Preston North End 11. Rochdale 12. Rotherham United 13. Scunthorpe United 14. Sheffield United 15. Sheffield Wednesday 16. Sunderland 17. Wigan Athletic The 2017-18 League Cup final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday February 25. The draw is regionalised at the first round stage to minimise travel for fans and seeding is based on final league positioning from the 2016-17 campaign. 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.

Notts County have confirmed that Richard Duffy has extended his stay at Meadow Lane. The 31-year-old joined the club from Eastleigh last summer and, following a mixed start to his Magpies career, ended up thriving under Kevin Nolan. Duffy also endeared himself to Nolan after agreeing to remove a clause in his contract that guaranteed him another year's deal if he played a certain amount of games. He went on to score four goals in 47 appearances and took over as captain following the injury to Michael O'Connor as Notts survived in League Two with several matches to space. Duffy told the official Notts site: "I'm absolutely delighted to sign a new deal at Meadow Lane. "Last season was a rollercoaster for everyone involved but since the turn of the year, with the positivity brought by the new chairman and manager, it's been a great place to play. Hopefully we can all kick on now and enjoy a successful season." Nolan added: "Richard's attitude and performances have been first class since I walked through the door. He is fully deserving of this new deal and I thoroughly look forward to working with him again." 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.

As someone who grew up in the 1990s, I honestly believe that it was the best decade for a young boy to come of age. The music was incredible, there were so many good shows on television, and technology was life-enriching without being suffocatingly all-encompassing as it is today. And then we have the football. Italia 1990 and Euro 1996 saw England give genuine hope to the nation's fans that football was in fact coming home, while the advent of the Premier League brought along with it dozens of players which thrilled audiences on these shores and worldwide. And as part of that "liquid football", as Alan Partridge deemed it 20-odd years ago, the Mitre football was an instrumental piece of the jigsaw. Founded in Huddersfield 200 years ago, the sports brand's iconic footballs were involved in countless historic moments in English football, from the Premier League's first ever goal (scored by Sheffield United's Brian Deane in a 2-1 win over eventual champions Manchester United) to Paolo Di Canio's legendary scissor kick against Wimbledon. And now, Mitre have just revamped one of their flagship models as the official match ball of the 2017-18 EFL season, bringing together past, present and future. With its unique white, blue and red design, the Mitre Delta has long been a staple of English football pitches from professional to Sunday League level, and it's back with a brand new design and plenty of little tweaks to make it apt for the modern game. The ball is made up of 14 triangular-shaped panels stitched and bonded together by Mitre's trademark Hyperseam technology, while the surface has a rugged texture and embossed grooves. These features help make the ball more aerodynamic, making it easier to curve and float, as well as enabling goalkeepers to get a firmer grip when making saves. It's also quite soft compared to a traditional leather ball, and much lighter, so heading it - not to mention getting a poor connection with it - isn't something to be dreaded even when wet. And the way the Mitre Delta is stitched should also offer more protection from damage and splitting, ensuring it stays in one piece for longer. Launched in both white and yellow hi-vis, we've enjoyed playing this ball - aside from looking incredible, it's also a pleasure to use on the pitch, and you can tell the difference when playing with this compared to cheaper balls. The Delta (RRP £115), Delta Replica (RRP £12) and Delta Replica Mini (RRP £7) will be available at all key retailers from 14 June onwards. For more information please visit the official Mitre website.

Notts County’s last-minute reprieve from being wound-up saw a “substantial” sum returned to the liquidation of Pinnacle Advantage for the benefit of its creditors, according to reports quoting liquidators. Andrew Pear and Michael Solomons of BM Advisory, the restructuring, recovery and insolvency firm, were appointed Joint Liquidators of Pinnacle on 27 June 2016. One of Pinnacle’s directors was former Notts chairman Ray Trew, who sold the club to current owner Alan Hardy in January. According to business website The Business Desk, BM Advisory claimed that Pinnacle experienced cashflow difficulties after Notts failed to repay loans in excess of £600,000, supposedly originally authorised by Trew when he was in charge at Meadow Lane. On 24 May an eleventh-hour out-of-court settlement was reached with Notts County. BM Advisory wouldn’t confirm if Pinnacle had received the full amount owed to it. A spokesperson for BM said: “We are not able to disclose the precise terms of the settlement but it represented an excellent recovery for the creditors.” Pear said: “On appointment as Joint Liquidators of Pinnacle Advantage Limited, we immediately set about realizing assets and recovering debts due to the company in particular that of one of its main debtors, Notts County Football Club. "When payment was not forthcoming a statutory demand was issued resulting in a petition to wind up the Club. “Following extensive discussions with the Club, we are pleased to announce that we were successful in negotiating a settlement just moments before the winding up petition hearing was due to commence. “The settlement, which provides a substantial recovery to creditors of Pinnacle and saves the Club from liquidation, was effectively orchestrated following months of work undertaken in evidencing the claim.” 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.

When Don Masson was a child, he knew then that all he ever wanted to was to play football. Born on 26 August 1946 in the Aberdeenshire town of Banchory, he'd spend hours kicking a tennis ball against the wall and would refuse to go back to school if his mother did not play football with him when he came home for his lunch break. Masson's talent and hard work paid off when he was scouted by Middlesbrough, the 12-year-old kid impressing for his school football team. As he grew up he also opted to train as a painter and decorator if he didn't make it in the game or to have a trade after football. Whilst at Boro, Masson used to clean the boots of one Mr Brian Clough while he was still playing for the club, and when he was 18, he made his debut against Charlton Athletic. All in all, Masson made 53 appearances for Boro between 1964 and 1968, scoring six goals, but he jumped at the chance to join Notts County. In a 2012 interview with Left Lion, he said: "All I knew about Nottingham at the time was what I had watched on the TV when the cricket was being played. The camera would pan across to the City Ground and Meadow Lane and I remember thinking, “what a fantastic sporting city that looks. The people there are so lucky to have all that so close together”. I still think that now." At the time, Notts were a Fourth Division team, but the then-21-year-old Masson would prove to be part of the spine which would be playing in the First Division just over a decade later. In 1969, Jimmy Sirrel became manager and, with Jack Wheeler as his coach, Notts rose quickly up the leagues - with Masson pulling the strings from midfield and captaining the side. Such was Masson's talent and leadership that he captained Notts to three promotions - 1970-71 from the fourth tier to the third; 1972-73 from the third tier to the second; and 1980-81 into the top flight. Recognising his special talent, Notts supporters voted him their Player of the Year on three occasions: 1969, 1974 and 1980. No other player has been the outright winner of the award three times. Despite Masson wanting to be at Meadow Lane throughout his whole career, in 1974 he got given the news that he was being sold. He eventually moved to Queens Park Rangers, and he recalls the experience: "The last thing Jimmy said to me before we got to QPR was, “Don’t sign for them, because I’ve got something to tell you afterwards.” Well, QPR were such a talented team then; I had the medical, and then I signed. I told Jimmy and he said, “what did I tell you, little fella? Tommy Docherty and Man Utd wanted to sign you, and that Revie fella at Leeds. That’s why I told you not to sign.” However, QPR almost won the league the year after Masson signed, and it thrust him into international contention, going on to make his Scotland debut aged 29 and winning the 1976 Home Championships. After three seasons at QPR and one at Derby County, Masson then returned to Notts, chairman Jack Dunnett offering him a player-coach role, which he jumped at, and with a new system introduced by Howard Wilkinson, the Magpies would go on from strength to strength. As Masson explained: "We played a sweeper system that Howard Wilkinson introduced that was quite radical at the time with Pedro (Richards) in the role and Killer - Brian Kilcline - as the strong centre-half. It was when we went to Newcastle that season and played them off the park that I knew we would get promoted. "That was the best Notts team I ever played in and it was fitting that I finished my career helping get Notts back to the top division for the first time in more than fifty years." As football legends go, Don Masson is definitely one of those, especially for Notts County, a club which he continues to hold dear to this day. Share your thoughts about this Notts Alumni feature article 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.

Several former Notts County stars have paid tribute to Derek Pavis, who passed away last month aged 87. The former Magpies chairman, who has the west stand at Meadow Lane named in his honour, guided the Magpies through their most successful period in their recent history. He also oversaw the redevelopment of the stadium before stepping aside after 13 years at the helm at the age of 70. On Friday, Pavis was laid to rest in Nottingham, with hundreds of people paying their respects to him. "He didn't beat around the bush," former defender and coach Michael Johnson is quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post. "For my first contract I asked for £100 more and he said 'there's only so much meat on the bone, my lad'. "He gave me my start in football though. I've got a lot to be thankful to him for. "There was a lot of advice and a lot of wisdom. I remember travelling to an FA Cup game with him when I was coaching. "He was full of stories and through them all it was clear how much he loved Notts County. "It's a sad day, but hopefully a celebration of what he's done for a fantastic club." Mark Draper said: "That was said to me many times! 'There's only so much meat on the bone'. Every time a contract was mentioned he'd say that. "I think it became tongue in cheek by the end. He was in charge during a great time for the club and for me. "Just look at how much the club progressed. The ground now is fantastic, we had the promotions and even with a relegation chucked in there, he achieved great things. "Football has changed, but you can't take away the memories he leaves behind." Dean Thomas reminisced: "The first time I met Derek was when he came to watch me play for Northampton. Neil Warnock dragged him down to watch me. "I think I got sent off after 25 minutes but they still signed me! We got on great and had a respectful relationship. "Towards the end when I got a bad knee injury he gave me a testimonial. "He stuck by me. He's done great things for the club and we had great times. "I'm grateful he let Warnock sign me. He mixed with the players well and was respected by everyone. "One of his favourite sayings was 'there's only so much meat on the bone', in terms of negotiations. You'd ask for a figure and he'd say this is what you're getting. "We had good times though. He's gone knowing that he's brought a lot of people in Nottingham a lot of pleasure." Ian Richardson added: "He helped me personally with a property I wanted to buy. I've got fond memories of him. "He was a chairman you could always go to for answers or help with problems, not just when it came to football, but man to man." Share your memories of the great man Derek Pavis on the Pride of Nottingham forum.

Former Notts County manager Neil Warnock has paid tribute to Derek Pavis, describing the time they worked together was "some of the happiest times of my life". The former Magpies chairman passed away last month aged 87, and his funeral will take place in Nottingham on Friday. Warnock, who along with Pavis led Notts from the Third Division to the top flight in the early 90s, had nothing but kind words to say about his former employer. "Working with Derek are some of the happiest times of my life," Warnock told the Nottingham Post. "They were very successful times too, with the two wins at Wembley. "I was young and just starting out in management, and he believed in me and supported me and we got the success. "We got on really well, not just as manager and chairman, but also as friends. "When I look back at what we achieved, I have immense pride; not just the promotions, but we changed Meadow Lane from a derelict stadium into the modern one it is now. "I remember we used to go to matches together to watch players. We had that kind of relationship, it was very special. You don't get chairmen like Derek now." 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.

Alan Hardy has provided more details on his plans to set up a girls' football academy at Notts County. The Magpies owner came under criticism for folding Notts County Ladies earlier this year but he has reiterated his desire for a sustainable model of a women's football team. In his weekly Nottingham Post column, he wrote: "The previous ladies team was just an entity on its own and there was no pathway from any junior programme that would have ultimately provided its players. "The only way to build anything is from the bottom up whether that be a house, a business or a football club. "As far as women's football is concerned that starts at junior level and I am told that girls start taking it seriously at under-9s. "They are curious at under-7s, they start to become engaged at under-8s and at under-9s is the time when they really want to focus on the sport. "The three words I love using are attract, engage and retain. "You attract and engage at under-7s and 8s with good coaching and players around them and the aim is then to retain them through their teenage years before they hopefully make that next step up to the women's full team. "Our academy will be starting at under-9s, 10s and 11s this year and we are following the Football Association's latest advice in that elite girls players should be playing in the boys' league. "We are going to be playing in the Young Elizabethan League (YEL) and the great thing about it, as opposed to the women's league, is that the YEL has 10 or 12 different levels in each age group. "Therefore the girls will find their natural level. We have some trial dates over the next two Wednesdays and we already have a core group of girls who want to join us and play for our academy. "We have been blown away by those who want to come and join our journey with our girl's academy mirroring that of the boys. "They will have the tracksuits, the kit, and everything that goes with being associated with a professional club. "The ultimate aim is to have a Women's Super League team, and I have been in discussions with Dan Tilley, who is the Director of Sport at Nottingham Trent University, about the development team that came under the Notts County banner." To read the full article on the Nottingham Post click here. Share your thoughts about this column 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.

Notts County chairman Alan Hardy has confirmed the names that will make up the club's new board of directors. BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher is the most high-profile name to take up the role, with Jon Evener, main board director of construction consultancy Gleeds, and Macesport founder and MD Paul Mace also coming on board. Magpies CEO Jason Turner is also promoted to the board, taking on the role of Football Operations Director, alongside the club's financial director Corrine Rigby and commercial director Amanda Fletcher. Hardy told the official Notts site: "I am delighted to have put together such a strong team of people who have a diverse and complementary range of football and business skill sets. "The Board will help in the creation, development and implementation of a wide range of initiatives to meet our short, medium and long-term goals. "Football is a team game and it is important that we have a committed, enthusiastic and experienced senior group in place dedicated to getting Notts County back to where they belong in the English footballing pyramid. "Equally importantly, all our Directors have very strong roots, networks and knowledge in the local community which is of the utmost importance in everything we seek to achieve as the premier family-friendly professional football club in our region." 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.

Liam Noble is a wiser and much improved player who should be snapped up by Notts County in a heartbeat, according to former teammate Adam Campbell. The midfielder, now at Forest Green Rovers playing under another former Magpies employee in manager Mark Cooper, was subject of a bid by his former club that was turned down by the newly promoted club. Noble was released a year ago following a campaign marred by a poor disciplinary record, but for Forest Green he has not been sent off and his goal and assist tallies are impressive. Campbell told the Nottingham Post: "I am probably a bit biased because he's a mate, but taking that out of the equation and looking at a football sense why wouldn't you want him? "If it was me in charge of the decision at Notts then I would have him back in a heartbeat. He's a central midfielder who scores goals but not only that he creates them too. "With (Michael O'Connor) out for a long time, they are going to need somebody to be that creative spark in the middle of the pitch. "He is that and so much more. He's capable of magic as he proved when he was at Notts. He scores goals with his left foot and his right. "He proved that at Notts and did it last season with Forest Green. He would be an excellent signing. He still has a lot of friends there and I know he loves the club. "In my mind if Notts do get him then they would be getting a player who would not only be too good for League Two but one who is easily good enough to play in the league above. "A lot of people made a lot of his red cards, but if you look at his booking count this season he has improved that side of his game significantly. "He was given the captain's armband and he relished the responsibility. He's been integral to their success this season and I've no doubt that if does come back to Notts then he would be much more wiser." 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.

Notts County midfielder Rob Milsom admits he's "gutted" that his on-pitch partnership with Michael O'Connor has had to be put on ice but believes Elliot Hewitt will continue to be a great replacement in the centre of the park. O'Connor suffered serious cruciate ligament damage in April and is expected to be out until next year as he prepares for knee surgery. Hewitt has however done well in his place and, after committing to a new deal at Meadow Lane, is expected to continue partnering Milsom in midfield. "I am really gutted for Mickey because we had built up a really good partnership just like we had done at Rotherham when we won promotion," Milsom told the Nottingham Post. "He was producing some absolutely brilliant performances and he was exceptional against Crewe when he really showed what a good player he is. "I was gutted for him when I found out about his injury because he's a great lad and obviously I've known him for a fair while as we've been at Rotherham and Notts together. "I know he would have been relishing to start the season given how well we finished it and it's not nice when you know one of your teammates is now going to miss it. "Obviously I don't know what's going to happen there in midfield, but Ells came in and did a good job after Mickey's injury. "He produced some really strong performances in the last few weeks of the season and he's more than capable of playing in the middle. "He gets up and down the pitch and really puts a shift in and he scored a terrific goal against Luton too." 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.

Alan Hardy has "completely transformed" Notts County since taking over the previously beleaguered club at the start of 2017, according to one of the new team sponsors. Macesport, based in Nottingham's Lace Market, have signed up to be the first name on the Magpies shirt following the announcement of the club's never-before-seen monthly sponsor arrangement. And lifelong Notts fan Paul Mace, who founded the company 12 years ago, has praised Hardy's work so far, urging other local companies to get involved. He told the Nottingham Post: "Without Alan, Notts County would no longer be a Football League club. In six months he has completely transformed the culture, ambition and professionalism of the club. "It is now beholding of the local business community to rally around Alan and support him. Notts are the only football club in Nottingham owned by a Nottinghamshire man who fully understands the heartbeat of the local community. "It's an easy decision to show my support for Alan because of my lifelong passion for the club, my family's backing which goes back to the 1880's and my roots in Nottingham. "Alan has invested a substantial seven-figure sum, which saw a near instant doubling in attendances and a huge increase in families attending Meadow Lane. "Equally, the business community now has to step up to the plate collectively and pledge their support too. We are all in this together. "Restoring the world's oldest football club to its former glories is going to deliver substantial benefits to the regional economy. "All local businesses – from the major international organisations, universities and local authorities, though to small family businesses – have employees who support Notts County and business employers need to reflect that with tangible support for Notts." 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.

Rob Milsom has admitted that he wants to establish himself as a goalscoring midfielder at Notts County, and believes that Kevin Nolan is just the guy to coach him into it. The 30-year-old has been at Meadow Lane for two seasons and, following a disappointing first campaign, really came into his own in 2016-17 and was rewarded with the club's player of the season awards. Milsom was utilised in a variety of positions at the club but, now that he is deployed in central midfield, he wants to build on his existing work - and given he hasn't yet scored in 59 Magpies appearances, that will be his next challenge. "You only have to look at the gaffer's record to see he had perfected the art of getting in the box late and scoring goals," Milsom told the Nottingham Post. "He made a great career out of it and that's something I would like to my own game now. "Towards the back end of last season, I did some work on it with Richard Thomas (assistant manager) but it was quite late on. "But I think looking forwards that's something we will do more and more of so I can chip and contribute with goals just so it can take some of the pressure off the lads up top. "I can get up and down the pitch, but getting in the box and scoring goals is something that I've always wanted to do. "I found myself in some excellent positions last season and it's about making sure I take advantage of that, and making sure the runs are made at the right time. "You don't want to keep getting into the box and leaving big holes behind you so you've got to make sure you do it at the ideal moment. "I've spoken to the gaffer about it and there's no better person to learn off really when you consider the goals he scored." As well as his own personal development, Milsom is targeting the holy grail for any club in League Two - promotion. "I've experienced promotion before with Rotherham and once you do it changes your outlook as a player because you just want more of it," he continued. "When you finish your career you want to be able to look back and feel that you achieved either a title or a promotion. "We finished the season really well and I don't think there is anything to fear at all next season given the way we played. "Notts are one of the biggest clubs in the league and I would love it if we are up there chasing the top three or a place in the play-offs." 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.

Alan Hardy has paid a heartfelt tribute to former Notts County chairman Derek Pavis, who sadly passed away last week aged 87. Pavis, who has the west stand at Meadow Lane named in his honour, guided the Magpies through their most successful period in their recent history. He also oversaw the redevelopment of the stadium before stepping aside after 13 years at the helm at the age of 70. In his Nottingham Post column, Hardy wrote: "I was deeply saddened to learn of Derek Pavis' death over the weekend. It has made for a sombre few days at Notts County. "He was a terrific man who gave his all and was a wonderful custodian of this football club. "He was at the helm for 13 years, during which time he oversaw an immensely successful era in the club's history. "It would have been extremely remiss of me not to pay tribute to him when you consider what he did for our football club during his time as chairman. "For the fans that were lucky enough to experience the good times, there were occasions that will live long in the memory. "Without his care, love and extremely strong leadership, these iconic moments in Notts County's history simply wouldn't have been possible. Watching the tributes pour in over social media, it did not surprise me in the slightest because of his achievements and the person he was. If I can be as half as successful in my role as one of his successors, I assure you I will be a very happy man." Share your thoughts 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.

Notts County have confirmed that player of the season Rob Milsom has signed a new contract at Meadow Lane. The 30-year-old midfielder has made 59 appearances for the Magpies since joining from Rotherham United in 2015. "The way the second half of the season went with the new chairman (Alan Hardy) and manager (Kevin Nolan) was really good. It's exciting times," Milsom is quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying. "My aim at the start of last season was to stay fit and play as many games as possible. My performances improved throughout the campaign so I want to carry that form into next year. "Goalscoring is something I want to work on. Thommo (Richard Thomas, assistant manager) had been working with me on it before the end of the season and we will carry that on in pre-season. "I like to get up and down the pitch so if I can add goals to my game it will only help the team." The length of his new contract has not been disclosed but Hardy added: "We're delighted to have him on board for the new season." 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.

As June comes along to bring about the end of May, Pride of Nottingham looks at the big news stories from Meadow Lane in the last month. May 3 Alan Hardy vowed to keep using Twitter to interact with Notts County fans, but insists that abusive messages sent to him on the platform are not acceptable. May 5 Rob Milsom said he was delighted after he was rewarded with the Notts County Fans' Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year awards. May 6 Notts County finished the 2016-17 League Two season on a losing note as Newport County sealed survival on the final day. May 9 Notts County confirmed that they have voted for the EFL Trophy to remain in its current 64-team format. May 12 Goalkeeper Scott Loach bid an emotional farewell to Notts County after he confirmed he would be leaving Meadow Lane. Notts County released their retained list for 2016-17. Matt Tootle opened up on his battles with anxiety and depression, saying nobody is immune from mental health struggles and urging people to seek help. May 18 Notts County made their first signing of the 2016-17 post-season by recruiting Lincoln City winger Terry Hawkridge on a two-year deal. May 19 Elliott Hewitt accepted Notts County's offer of a new contract, signing a new two-year deal at Meadow Lane. Former Millwall, Wimbledon and Republic of Ireland forward Jon Goodman was appointed as Notts County's new academy manager. May 20 Alan Hardy outlined his plans to set up a girls' academy at Notts County with a view to forming a sustainable Lady Pies outfit which will work its way up to the Women's Super League. Alan Hardy set a target for Notts County to finish either in the playoffs or very close to them next season as he confirmed he would increase Kevin Nolan's playing budget by 10 percent. May 23 Haydn Hollis became the latest player to commit his future to Notts County after signing a new deal at Meadow Lane. May 24 A petition to wind up Notts County was dismissed at the High Court in London after a "dramatic compromise" was signed at the door of the court. May 26 Notts County announced the signing of former Hartlepool United winger Lewis Alessandra for an undisclosed fee. May 27 It was announced that former Notts County chairman Derek Pavis had sadly passed away, aged 87. May 29 Notts County launched a sponsorship package which allows firms to sponsor the team shirt on a month-by-month basis. May 31 Notts County confirmed that player of the season Rob Milsom has signed a new contract at Meadow Lane. Share your thoughts about this news recap 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.

Alan Hardy says he is happy to pay transfer fees for Notts County's targets, so long as it's within reason and fits with the club's financial structure. The Magpies owner funded the arrival of Lewis Alessandra on Friday when he agreed an undisclosed fee with Hartlepool United for the player. Alessandra was the second signing to arrive at Meadow Lane, after Terry Hawkridge's arrival from National League champions Lincoln City. "It is really important that we get the balance right between players that we pay fees for, those we sign on a free and those who will come on loan," he said. "Even though our budget is bigger than what we originally said, we do have to watch how much we do pay. "But I am sure that once Kevin Nolan (Magpies boss) returns from holiday, there will be one or two more players he fancies. "If they command a fee, then as long as it fits in with the structure of the football club, and as we did with Lewis, then I am happy to support the manager. "You have to make sure the deal makes sense and as Lewis proved, that was one that did, given his contribution to Hartlepool's team last season." 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.

Everything has now been wrapped up in the Premier League and Football League, with all 92 clubs knowing where they stand next season. No sooner has the final whistle gone on the final playoff fixture, that we have all the necessary dates to put in our diary and look forward to for 2017-18. Here are the key dates you must know about. EFL fixture release Wednesday, June 21 EFL 2017-18 season kickoff Weekend of Friday, August 4 - Sunday, August 6 EFL Cup competitions EFL Cup (Carabao Cup): Week commencing August 7. EFL Trophy (Checkatrade Trophy): Week beginning August 28. Final matches of EFL 2017-18 season Weekend of May 5, 2018. Playoff finals in 2017-18 Championship final: May 26 League One final: May 27 League Two final: May 28 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.

On Saturday, it was announced that former Notts County chairman Derek Pavis had passed away aged 87. Pavis, who has the west stand at Meadow Lane named in his honour, guided the Magpies through their most successful period in their recent history thanks to his shrewd appointment of Neil Warnock and investment in the squad. He also oversaw the redevelopment of the stadium before stepping aside after 13 years at the helm at the age of 70. Here are just some of the tributes left on the PON site to one of the finest chairmen in the club's history. 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.

Notts County have launched a sponsorship package which allows firms to sponsor the team shirt on a month-by-month basis. The club's association with Ladbrokes has now ended, and Magpies owner Alan Hardy is eager for the companies sponsoring the top to have a presence in Nottingham. According to the Nottingham Post, law firm Eversheds and accountancy firm Baldwins have already signed up, while Hardy's Paragon will sponsor the shirts for the cup matches. "It would have been easy for us to tout ourselves with a big national firm, but our ethos as a football club has always been about the community," Hardy said. "We want them to have a presence in the city so people can relate to them and as a club we feel it's vitally important for us to engage with the local business sector. "The response we have had so far has been fantastic because I think businesses realise the mass brand exposure they can generate from being associated with us. "There are obvious other benefits too because those that do take up the opportunity will also enjoy unrivalled access to the football club." 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.