Joe Jones

Notts County and Peterborough have met a grand total of 43 times over the years, dating back to the 1960s. The first meeting between the two, a Third Division fixture on the 7th September 1961, ended in a 2-2 draw. Our record win over the Posh is a 6-0 drubbing at Meadow Lane in the 1970-71 season, while our record defeat to them is a 5-1 loss in 1963. Peterborough United are nicknamed "The Posh" because Pat Tirrel, then manager of Fletton United - the current club’s previous incarnation - was reported to say he was "looking for posh players for a posh new team". Fletton, previously known as the 'Brickies', re-formed as Peterborough and Fletton United in 1923, and both nicknames were in use through the 1920s, although supporters complained that 'Posh' references were sometimes used by newspapers in a derisory manner. Peterborough and Fletton United folded in 1932, the present club was formed two years later and a Midland League debut against Gainsborough Trinity on 1st September 1934 was greeted with cries of 'Up The Posh' from the crowd. 14 years ago, Peterborough United clashed with Victoria Beckham, aka “Posh Spice”, over the use of the “Posh” nickname. She had apparently objected to Peterborough's plans to register "Posh" and "The Posh" as registered trademarks, but eventually backed down after realising the club had been using that nickname some 50 years before she was born. Notts and Peterborough played a blinder of a game back on the 28th September 2010 at London Road, the Magpies surging into a two-goal lead courtesy of Ben Davies, before Gabrial Zakuani’s header halved the deficit. Craig Westcarr restored the away side’s two-goal lead, before Craig Mackail-Smith made things tense for the last half hour thanks to his angled shot. The game is also known for a 22-man brawl at the final whistle, which resulted in an FA charge for both teams and a £15,000 fine. Not many injuries to talk about before tonight’s game. Lee Tomlin is back from suspension for Posh but Tommy Rowe (thigh) and Michael Bostwick (hamstring) are doubts. For Notts, Jack Grealish is a doubt, the club and manager not indicating whether he will start or not. Callum Ball is pushing to start after scoring the only goal as a substitute in the win at Stevenage.

Well, folks, what a turnaround. Remember how we were dead and buried just a few weeks ago? We've played three games this year. We've won all three. And we're now in 16th place in the League One table! Today a great defensive performance saw us beat bottom of the table Stevenage 1-0. Callum Ball, his loan spell from Derby County extended, scored the only goal of the game to ensure the Magpies would extend their winning run. In the meantime, Bartosz Bialkowski, our frankly ridiculously awesome goalkeeper, carried out another imperious performance between the sticks to deny the familiar Francois Zoko and his new comrades. Notts, unchanged from their victory against Sheffield United, had to stave off Boro within the first five minutes, when Filipe Morais, assisted by Luke Freeman's cross, latched on to a dangerous ball to head downwards towards goal, only to be denied by Bialkowski's fine reflexes. The ex-Chelsea player then struck again shortly after, but his shot was again parried away by our Polish man-barrier. Just before the half-hour mark, Bart had to deny a swift turn-and-shot from Michael Doughty. Up next to try his luck was former Magpie Zoko, who, despite his desire to get on the scoresheet against his old club, was also denied by Bart's array of goalkeeping weaponry, the goalkeeper diving at the Ivorian's feet. Jack Grealish, the skilful young player on loan from Aston Villa, was constantly targeted by the cynical (you don't say!) Boro players, to the point that Derry thought it best to sub him off. Ball came on for the youngster. Stevenage, frustrated by Bart's heroics, found themselves sucker-punched just before the break, (Question: How good does it feel to use that word about our opposition? Answer: Very!) when, in the 42nd minute, Ball (the man) drove the ball (the spherical object) home through a crowded penalty area. Stevenage attempted to launch a fight-back after the break, courtesy of Zoko and Lucas Akins, who scored on Tuesday against Swindon Town for his side's first league win since November, but Bart, with a little help from Manny Smith and Mark Fotheringham, wasn't to be beaten. Ball was denied a second goal by home keeper Chris Day. A poor headerby Luke Jones saw the on-loan striker race into the area, but Day’s outstretched leg saved the, well, day. Stevenage boss Graham Westley went for broke late on, but his side could not unlock a superb Notts back line. The final whistle eventually went, to the sheer relief and joy of the travelling Notts fans. Yes, we have played a game or two more than the sides below us, but should we keep this form up, then we should be safe! Fingers crossed, people!

This edition of Pride of Nottingham's popular feature the "Stat Attack" focuses on the rise of Stevenage FC, formerly known as Stevenage Borough, are part of a “new guard” of Football League clubs that have risen up from the non-league in the last decade or so. As such, there haven’t been many fixtures between themselves and Notts County. All meetings between the two have come in the last three years. Stevenage have been a bit of a bogey team for the Magpies over the (three) years. They’ve won four of the six encounters, while Notts have won the other two. The Boro were the first team to win a competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007, beating Kidderminster Harriers 3–2 to lift the FA Trophy in front of a competition record crowd of 53,262. They then went on to win the same trophy again just two years later and were runners up the following year. #NonLeagueBarcelona Stevenage, after being promoted into the Football League in 2010, earned back-to-back promotions when they beat Torquay United 1–0 at Old Trafford in the 2010–11 League Two play-off final. The Herts club was involved in a bitter spat with Premier League Newcastle United back in 1998, as they clashed in the FA Cup. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9345266.stm Stevenage should be unchanged after ending a seven-match winless run in midweek by beating Swindon Town. Francois Zoko, ex-Magpie and scorer of 12 goals in 22 appearances for his new club, will start in attack against Notts, but defender Ben Chorley serves the second game of a three-match ban. Notts County have no new injury or suspension problems. And last but not least, Jack Grealish is available after extending his loan from Aston Villa!

Notts County came back from a goal down to defeat Sheffield United 2-1 today in a tense game at Meadow Lane. Blade Conor Coady's goal within the first two minutes of the match deflated the Magpies faithful, but rather than making it an afternoon to endure and suffer for all those linked with Notts, the team in black and white made a real fist of it and came back thanks to goals from Enoch Showunmi and Mark Fotheringham. Shaun Derry went for a 4-2-3-1 formation today, Showunmi playing as the lone striker. There was good news and bad news today regarding County’s playing staff: on the plus side, Kieron Freeman and Callum Ball were both made available for the Magpies after the club arranged for both to return on loan, but on the flip side, the majestic Callum McGregor was back at Celtic after his loan expired. If anyone has seen the Harry Enfield sketch where the Arsenal 1930s team plays the Liverpool squad of the 1990s, it has a legendary quote whereby the old-school commentator begins the game with: “And they’re off… and it’s a goal.” That’s what it felt like for the Notts fans, as Coady played a quick one-two with frontman Chris Porter to allow him into the Notts box, and made no mistake with a composed first-touch finish past Bartosz Bialkowski. 1-0 down, less than two minutes played. Notts were down, but not out. They picked themselves up and went for the jugular almost instantly, as Jamal Campbell-Ryce cut inside two away players at the Blades end. However, he fired over. Then, in quick response, Porter and Coady combined again to threaten the Notts defence, but this time, the effort was wide. Things were back on level terms in the 26th minute, as Showunmi converted a JCR cross past the Blades keeper to make it 1-1. Yes, it bounced off his chest, but they all count. United must have taken our equalising goal as an affront, since their players and fans decided to launch into a series of reducers on the pitch, and constant chants of “handball!” from the stands. Nevertheless, the first half ended 1-1. The second period began as a bit more sedate affair, the first meaningful chance coming in the 63rd minute, as Porter set Jose Baxter up, but the forward’s effort skidded wide of the left-hand post. Stephen McGinn was then given too much space just two minutes later, but luckily he too was wide of the mark. Notts, however, made the wasteful United pay shortly afterwards. Alan Sheehan, marauding down the left wing, skinned Harry Maguire and delivered a pinpoint cross that fell to Fotheringham. The veteran’s header was saved, but his quick reflexes allowed him to rush forward and tap the rebound into the net. Cue wild celebrations in the Kop. The rest of the match made for some incredibly nervy viewing, as Notts seemed to invite the Blades forward to attack on too many occasions. Nevertheless, their efforts were all wasted, and the final whistle, blown after five whole minutes of stoppage time, lifted the roof off Meadow Lane. Notts are still in the drop zone, but are just a point from safety, in 21st place. The vibes are becoming increasingly positive around the place. Watch this space folks!

Sheffield United’s first match against our beloved Notts took place on the 17th Jan 1891 in the FA Cup. Just to give you an idea how long ago this was… Sir Winston Churchill was a mere 16 years old when the game was played! The scoreline is also of note: Notts won 9-1! Since then, the Blades have undisputedly held the upper hand in head-to-head statistics: they have won 45 games against the Magpies. We’ve beaten then just 23 times, and there have been 12 draws. Their ground, Bramall Lane, is the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional football matches. Bramall Lane opened in April 1855 – Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin were still alive back then! Jessica Ennis-Hill, who just this Friday announced she was expecting her first child, has a stand named after her at United’s ground, following her goal medal in heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics. A game between Sheffield United and Oldham in February 1984 had to be postponed when a wartime bomb was found near Bramall Lane! A number of films and television programmes have included references to Sheffield United over the past few decades: - The 1996 film When Saturday Comes stars Sean Bean as a part-time Hallam FC player who is scouted by Sheffield United, who then goes on to play in a FA Cup semi-final. - The character 'Gaz' in British comedy The Full Monty is seen wearing a replica United shirt at one part of the film, and promises his son a ticket for a game at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United & Manchester United. - Even Hollywood has got in on the act: a scene in Batman Begins features a child wearing a 1990s Blades shirt! Notts left-back Alan Sheehan returns from the one-game ban he served in the 3-0 win over Bradford City. Striker Callum Ball, who has extended his loan stay, could potentially start. For the Blades, Billy Paynter, signed on loan from Doncaster Rovers on Friday, is expected to make his debut against Notts.

Since its inception, Notts Alumni has provided an interesting look at the careers of renowned football players who have at some point worn the black and white stripes of Notts County. Sometimes they’ve covered professionals who began or flourished at Meadow Lane and are currently still active (Kelvin Wilson, Kasper Schmeichel). Other examples regard veteran players who are in their professional twilights or even semi-retired (Mike Edwards), recent retirees (Mark Draper, Michael Johnson) or even legends from yesteryear (Tony Hateley, Raddy Avramovic, Les Bradd). Today's piece is provided for you with a heavy heart, because it relates to a former Notts player who is sadly no longer with us. Richard Butcher was born on the 22nd January 1981 in Northampton, and came through the youth ranks of his local club Northampton Town. Though he was promoted to the senior team in 1999, the manager who originally put him forward, Ian Atkins, was dismissed and replaced with Kevin Wilson early on in Butcher’s maiden season. The new head coach never picked him, and so the young midfielder left without making a single appearance. Staying in Northamptonshire, he signed for Brian Talbot’s Rushden and Diamonds, then of the Football Conference, but again, didn’t get a game, and so moved clubs again, this time to Kettering Town of the Southern League. Finally, he was gifted regular first-team football with the Poppies, who had been relegated from the Conference the season prior, and helped them back into the highest level of non-league football thanks to his 13 goals in 44 appearances, a great tally for a midfielder. His next move was a year later to fourth-tier Lincoln City, joining up with Keith Alexander’s Imps in November 2002. He helped the club reach three successive play-offs between 2003 and 2005, but sadly, Lincoln weren’t able to make the step up to the Second Division. All in all, Butcher made 104 appearances for the Midlands club, scoring a modest 11 goals in that time. Despite the Imps not being promoted, Butcher made the step up the leagues anyway, as he signed for third-tier Oldham Athletic. His time with the Latics was mixed, playing the majority of games in the 2005-06 season, but being sent on loan for a month back to Lincoln City, and leaving the Greater Manchester club at the end of the season. He reunited with Keith Alexander at Peterborough United; again, he played part in most of the team’s games in 2006-07 (43), and again he left after only one season. Then came his spell with Notts County. Snapped up by Ian McParland at the start of the 2007-08 season, the club had just come off a relatively decent season, finishing in 13th place in League Two and claiming three League Cup scalps in Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Southampton, and were looking to build on this after very nearly going extinct. As it was, the next two years would prove to be the most testing of the club’s history from a footballing point of view. They survived the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons by the skin of their teeth. However, Butch was a shining light in a pit of darkness. He was a great leader, physical and commanding, knew how to control the game, and helped out in defence. And on top of all that, he also scored some brilliant goals, and frequently; his tally of 18 goals in 80 games, or roughly a goal every four games, is better than some of the strikers we’ve had at the Lane in recent years. Were it not for him, we may be talking about a club that used to be called Notts County, which was relegated from the Football League and eventually wound up. It’s a shame that Butcher didn’t stick around for the silly season of Sol, Sven and Schmeichel, but he made the decision to return to his beloved Lincoln in the close season, signing a two-year deal at Sincil Bank. Sadly, as it often had been in his career, changes took place at the club, which destabilised things. This time round, manager Peter Jackson, who signed him, was replaced by former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton in the hotseat, and the Premier League winner seldom gave Butcher a game. Once again, it was time to up sticks and head off. Butcher’s final club, his eighth in 11 years, was Macclesfield Town. He signed for the Cheshire club in February 2010. Sadly, tragedy struck the Silkmen and the town when manager Keith Alexander, who had been such an influential figure in Butcher’s life and who had signed him several times, including for his most recent club, suddenly died of a brain aneurysm a month later. The midfielder signed a two-year deal with Macclesfield in May 2010 after the expiry of his Lincoln contract, joining up with the Silkmen squad as a bona fide permanent player in July. His final game was on the 3rd January 2011 against Rotherham United. Just a week later, Richard Butcher passed away at his home in Swinton, Salford. He was 29 years old. The death shocked the footballing community. Tributes came pouring in from people within the English game, as they were forced to come to terms with a second premature loss in the space of a year. The next match for Macclesfield Town, an away game at Burton Albion originally scheduled for the 15th January, was postponed in respect to Butcher and Macclesfield Town. Butcher's shirt number, 21, was retired as a mark of respect. On the 22nd January 2011, at Macclesfield's next home game, a minute's applause was heard before the game and 30 white doves were released, to represent Butcher's 30th birthday. Family, friends and fans paid tribute to Butcher at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank stadium on the 2nd February 2011. A private service was then held at Lincoln Crematorium service following the thanksgiving service at the stadium. A coroner's verdict delivered in June 2011 determined Butcher's death to have been caused by the heart condition cardiac arrhythmia. Similar cardiac issues have claimed the lives of a number of professional football players over the years, sometimes on the pitch during a game. A year on, bronze memorial plaques featuring Butcher and Alexander arm in arm were unveiled at Sincil Bank and Moss Rose. It’s been seven years this week since Richard Butcher passed away at the age of 29, but he will always be remembered by all who knew him or knew of him, as a Notts County player, as a professional footballer, and as a great person. Thanks for the memories Butch!

As a football fan, it’s always a pleasure when a born-and-bred local lad is nurtured at your club, before making it to the upper echelons of the game. It’s all the better when said player supports and loves that team too, and continues to give to the club and the community even after their playing career is over. Mark Draper fits in this category one hundred per cent. Born on the 11th November 1970 in Long Eaton, Draper was scouted by the Notts County academy as a youngster and progressed through the system, carving his name as a major talent throughout. During this time, he also studied at Wilsthorpe College in Long Eaton. On Saturday 17th September 1988, the 17-year-old Draper made his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He signed a professional contract three months later. He quickly settled into the first team, becoming a regular in the Notts side during the 1988-89 season, and under Neil Warnock, thrived as the Magpies went on to achieve back to back promotions and make it to the hallowed top flight of English football. 1991 in particular was a great season for the midfielder, as he bagged nine goals to help him side reach the promised land. Once in the top flight, perhaps it was a case of too much too soon for the young prodigy, as he couldn’t prevent Notts from being relegated in a tough First Division season, but in the 1992-93 edition, his 11 league goals helped the Magpies avoid back to back relegations and keep the club in the second tier. Draper was a great passer of the ball and his forward runs were top class. It would only be a matter of time before the bigger clubs started sniffing around, particularly those who made up the nouveau riche Premier League. After missing out on the play-offs in 1993-94, nobody could begrudge the talented youngster for wanting to ply his trade in the Premier League, and so he joined Leicester City in the close season for £1.25m – a record fee for the club at the time. Draper spent the entire 1994–95 season at Filbert Street, playing 39 times in the top flight and scoring five goals, though it was not enough to prevent relegation for a side who were never out of the drop zone after November. Fortunately for him, his performances for Leicester caught the eye of Aston Villa, who offered him a Premier League reprieve. For the price of £3.25m, the Villans bagged themselves the talented midfielder, who would go on to star for the Birmingham outfit for the next four years, earning rave reviews and even being considered for the England team. Sadly, he fell out of favour during the 1999-2000 season, appearing in just one game, and so decided to become one of a miniscule number of Englishmen to play in Spain, hooking up with Rayo Vallecano on loan. In the close season, Southampton snapped him up for £1.5m, and remained with the Saints for three seasons before calling time on his career at the age of 33. Draper’s love of football took him to play for several local non-league sides over the years, and in 2009, his love for Notts County led to him taking up a role at Meadow Lane at the club kitman. Just a year later, he told the Nottingham Evening Post: "Notts will always be my club because of the times we had here when I played. I grew up at the club. I was here from nine or ten years old so it's been a big part of my life." Draper then took up a post with Stoke City Football Club as their Academy coach, and together with fellow ex-footballer David Norton, he runs Draper Norton Football, a football coaching enterprise for children based in Nottingham. Put simply, Mark Draper is Notts County through and through, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest players to don the black and white stripes.

Well, what better way to start the New Year than with a resounding win and a clean sheet? Notts County did what Arsenal and Aston Villa couldn’t do a year ago, by comprehensively thrashing Bradford City. The Bantams lost 3-0 in front of the Notts faithful, courtesy of goals from Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Callum McGregor and Jack Grealish. Shaun Derry made just one change from the defeat at Crawley Town – Alan Sheehan’s suspension meant Manny Smith partnered Dean Leacock at centre-back. The first five minutes were fairly hectic, as JCR had a chance from 20 yards, following some good work alongside McGregor. Just two minutes later, Jason Kennedy struck a shot for Bradford which was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski. On 12, Smith bravely denied James Hanson a certain goal-scoring opportunity with a defensive header, while two minutes later, Enoch Showunmi’s shot was way off the mark. Notts old-boy Ricky Ravenhill was then denied by another block not long afterwards. Eventually, the Magpies took the lead, as a great individual goal from JCR saw the winger cut back inside from the left and firing into the bottom left corner. 1-0 Notts. That wasn’t it from Notts in the first half – Showunmi very nearly set a great chance up on a plate for McGregor, were it not from an interception by Matthew Bates. After the break, Notts picked up where they left off, with the front line constantly threatening the Bantams defence. It wasn’t until the 68th minute that Bart was tested, but as always, the Polish keeper was able to make an acrobatic save to thwart a Gary Jones free kick. Shortly afterwards, Bart then denied Mark Yeates and Kyel Ried with more brilliant saves. Notts weren’t to be sucker-punched this time round, as a late flurry saw them turn a narrow scoreline into an emphatic one. Firstly, Jack Grealish’s great run saw him slice open the Bradford defence, before turning provider and feeding the ball to McGregor. The young Scot made no mistake from the right-hand side of the box. The young Aston Villa loanee, not content with a great performance and assist, then proceeded to bag himself a goal in injury time, courtesy of some great work by Showunmi. Just when it seemed that we were down in the doldrums, Notts just won’t give it up. Though still in the bottom four, we’re just three points from safety, and I tell you what, the whole bottom half is as tight as can be – five points separate 21st place from 12th place!

Just when it seemed that Notts County would turn another corner, comes another poor display of football that sees us pick up no points and leave us in trouble once again. Today’s 1-0 defeat to Crawley Town means we slip once again to the foot of League One. And so we end 2013 at the bottom of the league and, the halfway point passed, fears of us playing next year in the bottom tier of the Football League are becoming more and more founded. Shaun Derry began the game in a 4-2-3-1 formation, picking striker Enoch Showunmi in place of young Ronan Murray. Crawley were on the front foot early on, winning two corners in the first minute. Jack Grealish blocked Sergio Torres’ shot, while Alan Sheehan dealt with a Nicky Adams attempt. In the sixth minute, Notts had the first chance of the game, courtesy of their first corner. Sheehan’s header was cleared off the line by Andy Drury, while a Callum McGregor free kick was met by Morgan Fox, whose volley was wide. However, Crawley were intent on securing the win. On 12, Jamie Proctor’s mis-hit shot, following a great cross by Adams, let Notts off the hook, while seven minutes later, Mike Jones unleashed a 20-yard shot required Bartosz Bialkowski to make a neat save to his left. Emile Sinclair also weighed in with a low effort. Notts had a good chance to take the lead a little later on, but Mark Fotheringham’s volley wasn’t hit very well following a good Fox delivery headed on by Showunmi. Just before the break, Jamal Campbell-Ryce was upended in the Crawley box, but the referee wasn’t interested. At the other end, Bart was beaten by a Sinclair effort, but luckily the shot went wide. The second half saw Notts begin brightly, but Crawley would take the lead in the 54th minute, a simple goal from a corner which was headed in by defender Mark Connolly. The rest of the game, save from a good effort by substitute Murray, was all Crawley. Countless shots rained upon the goal, but luckily for Notts, Bart was on absolutely amazing form, keeping the scoreline respectable. Things would get even worse for the Magpies, as Alan Sheehan was sent off with eleven minutes to go. The full-back was given a second yellow, and so he walked. Yet another Notts game to finish with ten men. When the game finished, 1-0 was actually a very flattering result, considering how many we could have conceded were it not for our sterling keeper. And much as this is a taboo to mention, with the January transfer window looming, who wouldn’t be looking at a player of Championship, possibly even Premiership standard, playing for a team sitting at the foot of the third tier, and decide to make a bid? If he does, then our League One status is as good as gone.

Notts County have only ever played Crawley Town twice in their history! The first ever fixture between the two was thirteen months ago, on the 10th November 2012. The League One game, played at Meadow Lane, finished 1-1, while the away fixture was a goalless draw. Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history – ten years ago, while Notts were struggling to survive in the old Second Division, Crawley had just been promoted from the Southern Football League! Crawley have won plenty of silverware in their history, though the majority of it is amateur-based. This changed when they won the Conference National title in 2011 and the League Two title just a year later. 2010-11 was a record-breaking season not just for Crawley, but also for the Conference. The West Sussex club broke the points total in one season (105) and tie with other teams for most wins in one season (31), fewest defeats (3), and highest goal difference (+63). Because of this season, alongside the funds they had to buy players and an unlikeable manager (Steve Evans), they were known as “the Manchester United of non-league football”. Crawley have the smallest stadium in League One; the Broadfield Stadium holds a meagre 5,996 people – nearly 800 fewer than the next smallest, Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium. You could fit just over three and a half Broadfields inside Meadow Lane! Crawley Town forward Billy Clarke is suspended following his red card in the Boxing Day defeat to MK Dons, but centre-back Kyle McFadzean is available again after serving a one-match ban. Josh Simpson is expected back following hamstring trouble but fellow midfielder Dannie Bulman is likely to miss out. Notts will be missing Gary Liddle and possibly Callum Ball, after the duo suffered injuries against Bristol City, while Mustapha Dumbuya is set to face his former club.

Notts County could not capitalise and build on their three-game unbeaten run today at Vale Park, as Port Vale defeated the Magpies 2-1. The first half saw the home side dominate the game and take the lead through a disputed penalty by Jennison Myrie-Williams, before Ronan Murray equalised with a great goal on the stroke of half time. A peculiar refereeing decision on the 79th minute, the second one of the game, saw a second penalty gifted to Port Vale, and converted by Gavin Tomlin, which would prove decisive. Shaun Derry was forced to omit Gary Liddle and Callum Ball from the starving eleven, both having suffered injuries against Bristol City last Saturday. Mark Fotheringham and Ronan Murray came on in their place, while Mustapha Dumbuya returned just in time to replace Kieron Freeman, recalled by Derby County on Christmas Eve. Port Vale were on top in the opening stages of the game, Lee Hughes making a nuisance of himself within just a few minutes. In the 6th minute, Carl Dickinson lashed in a great cross which was seized by Bartosz Bialkowski before Hughes could get to it. The Pole would have to be on his toes again just a few minutes later, as a through ball by Tomlin fell to the ex-Notts striker. Again, the keeper saved before he could get his foot to it. The first Notts chance fell to Morgan Fox on ten minutes, but his header cleared the bar. On 24 minutes, a Port Vale ball was judged to have been handled by Andre Boucaud in the box, and a penalty was given to the home side. Williams made no mistake from the spot, giving his side the lead. After a bit of a lull, the home side would continue to threaten, as Dickinson and Williams came close on several occasions. Notts had been struggling for the majority of the half, but solace came in the form of Murray on 43 minutes. Isolated and rather ineffective up until that point, he lashed in a shot from the edge of the box which beat Sam Johnson. And so it was 1-1 on the stroke of half time. The first chance of the second half fell to the home side, as Williams' free kick flew over, but on 52 minutes, a great spell from Notts saw Jamal Campbell-Ryce fire a dangerous cross right across the Vale goal, desperately deflected by a defender and out for a corner. Boucaud's shot from the corner was saved, however. As the game opened up in the second half, JCR had a good chance saved by Johnson, while Boucaud was once again thwarted by the Vale keeper on 58. The home side's attempts would get more and more dangerous, but Bart's saves would get better each time too, as he pulled out some majestic stops to thwart Tomlin more than once. Tom Pope also came very close with a left footed strike from the centre of the box. Sadly, despite the end-to-end action which could have seen the game go either way, another controversial penalty was given against Notts on 79, when Tomlin was judged to have been brought down by Dumbuya. As Hughes and Williams had been substituted, Tomlin took the penalty himself, and made it 2-1. Notts tried desperately to come back into the game, but by this point, had been ground down by the home side's overly physical nature and refereeing decisions, and so the game would end 2-1. The result sees the Magpies slip to 23rd on 18 points, level with bottom side Crewe. The Railwaymen, however, have a game in hand.

In theory, footballers will play at clubs which befit their abilities, skills and talents. The top players will obviously turn out for the most lucrative, competitive, highest-profile teams, while average players will wear the shirts of average teams, or play in average leagues. However, this theory has been confounded many times. Who could have predicted that Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, having just had a great World Cup campaign with Argentina, would end up being signed by struggling Premier League team West Ham United? Likewise with David Beckham opting for LA Galaxy when people felt he would still have cut it for a top team in one of the big European leagues, was a surprise. Sometimes, however, it works the other way round. Players who may be of a lower league level could be unexpectedly thrust into a top team and end up playing with some of the finest players in the world, much to the surprise of every football follower. When this happens, it's hard not to root for the guy, particularly when he used to play for your team. This is the story of Luke John Rodgers. Born in Birmingham on the 1st January 1982, Rodgers began his playing career with Shrewsbury Town, rising through the ranks to break into the first team as a youth player. He made his debut in 1999 for the Shrews as a 17-year-old, and soon became a fan favourite at the Shropshire club for his commitment, pace, skill in front of goal and personality. After a bit of acclimatising, Rodgers began hitting goals in the 2000-01 season, when, despite regularly being used as a sub, still managed to score seven goals in 27 appearances. 2001-02 saw the Midlands lad really come into form, as he scored a brilliant 22 goals in 41 games. This continued in 2002-03, Rodgers netting 20 in 47. He also played in arguably Shrewsbury's finest hour, the 2-1 defeat of top-tier Everton, featuring Wayne Rooney, in January 2003. Sadly, the Shrews were to go down that season, but Rodgers stayed loyal to his first club in the Conference, bagging 15 goals in 41 games and helping the team bounce back into the Football League at the first attempt, beating Aldershot FC in the Play-Off Final. 2004-05 was to be Rodgers's final season with the Shropshire club, as he decided to turn down their offer of a one-year contract extension. In July 2005, despite being linked to SPL team Hibernian, he decided to sign for Championship club Crewe Alexandra. His time with the Railwaymen was disappointing, as team supremo Dario Gradi seldom picked him. After 18 months, he upped sticks again, linking up with Port Vale. Things were slightly better in Stoke, netting 12 goals in 41 games during the 2007-08 season, but by November 2008, he was being overlooked once again, and two months later, just in time for the January transfer window, he was released from his contract by manager Dean Glover. A short-term contract with Yeovil Town followed, before Rodgers and Notts County crossed paths. July 2009 saw the forward sign for the Magpies on a two-year deal. Though he didn't score for the first eight games, he smashed an emphatic hat-trick past local rivals Lincoln City in September. As with his previous clubs, he became a cult hero for his work ethic and pugnacious nature, not to mention his knack for finding the back of the net; his 13 goals helped Notts get promoted to League One at the end of the season. It was during his time at Notts that Rodgers worked with Hans Backe, who was made first-team manager during the Munto Finance period. Backe resigned after just seven weeks in the post, citing financial irregularities, but was impressed enough with the forward that, upon taking his new post with the New York Red Bulls over in the US, he always had his eye on Rodgers coming along. Indeed, come the close season, the diminutive striker was set to leave the Football League for the MLS, a move Notts permitted, but difficulties with securing a US work permit stalled his transfer. Nonetheless, the move went through in the January 2011 window, and so Rodgers became a New York Red Bulls player, playing in the same league as the likes of David Beckham and Juan Pablo Angel. The Red Bulls also boasted a marquee player of their own, none other than the best Premier League striker of all time, Thierry Henry. Rodgers, whose CV consisted of lower league football, would line up alongside him. Rodgers scored nine goals in 23 games in Major League Soccer but did so much more than just find the back of the net. When he was on the pitch, he pushed back defences with his pace, made the long ball a viable option against cluttered midfields, and gave Henry the space he needed to operate in between the lines. Put simply, he was indispensable for the New York Red Bulls, and complimented Henry up front perfectly. He became a firm favourite with the fans, and was loved in the dressing room. He won "MLS Player Of The Week" in April 2011 after scoring two goals and setting one up for Henry against the San Jose Earthquakes. He was regularly picked over USA international Juan Agudelo. He went so far as to tell the Stoke Sentinel: "This is the happiest I've ever been in football". Sadly, the problem with playing in the United States is that work permits are difficult to obtain and just as difficult to renew. As it happened, Rodgers's visa renewal was rejected in March 2012, and he was forced to leave the club and the city where he spent his halcyon days. Since then, he's played for a number of clubs: Lillestrøm SK in the Norwegian top flight, struggling Portsmouth, a second spell at Shrewsbury Town, Hammarby IF of the Swedish second division, and Forest Green Rovers, before rediscovering his scoring touch at Sutton Coldfield Town, where he still plays. Now 34 years old and the twilight of his career, Luke Rodgers will always be remembered as a tenacious, feisty character whose work ethic, pace and eye for goal, not to mention his part in getting us out of the bottom tier in 2010, will forever endear him to the Notts faithful. Do you have any stories or memories of Luke Rodgers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County rode out a tempestuous, bad-tempered and badly refereed match to earn a draw against struggling Bristol City. Playing in front of a bumper crowd at Meadow Lane, the Magpies fell behind to a penalty at the end of the first half, awarded under bizarre circumstances and converted by City captain Sam Baldock. However, referee Charles Breakspear, officiating his first Football League match, then gave Notts a penalty at the end of the second half, which Alan Sheehan struck down the middle to make it 1-1. The game would end this way, though Notts will be sweating on the fitness of Gary Liddle and Callum Ball, who suffered injuries at the hands (and feet) of the overly aggressive opposition. Manager Shaun Derry named an unchanged first team for the first time since taking charge of Notts. The bench had a few changes, as veteran keeper Kevin Pilkington replaced the injured Fabian Spiess and Haydn Hollis made way for Greg Tempest. The atmosphere in the ground was electrifying, given the higher than usual turnout and the return to the Lane of Steve Cotterill, our League Two-winning manager. Notts began the game in lively fashion, though Bristol had the first shot, courtesy of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's break and, subsequently, Bobby Reid's shot from outside the box on five minutes. Bartosz Bialkowski was right on it, however. A flurry of activity came on the quarter-hour mark, as the lively Jamal Campbell-Ryce sent a fantastic ball to Ball. The striker couldn't hit it goalwards, but it then fell to Callum McGregor. His effort blocked, the sphere fell again to JCR, whose effort on the right hand side of the box was, however, high and wide. On the half hour mark, a crunching challenge from Greg Cunningham on Gary Liddle saw the Notts lynchpin crumble to the ground. The referee, amazingly, didn't see fit to punish the Bristol player, as Liddle was forced to make way for Mark Fotheringham. Cunningham very nearly added insult to injury a minute later, but his header was saved by Bart. The Pole was on hand to keep out a low Baldock shot too. On 38, Emmanuel-Thomas escaped the offside trap and came close to scoring, but Bart made an excellent save to deny the 15-goal hitman. Kieron Freeman then made a crucial goal line clearance to keep out his follow-up. The referee then really came into his own when he decided to give a penalty for a minor altercation involding Dean Leacock and Aden Flint. After skipper Baldock converted from six yards, he then booked the Notts defender, much to the ire of the Notts faithful who were getting increasingly incensed with the farce. The first half didn't actually end until around 4pm, because Callum Ball was then victim of another horrendous tackle, the third in the first half alone by the away team (Jack Grealish was brought down just a few minutes earlier by Louis Carey but was alright). Ball sadly had to be stretchered off after taking a blow to the head, such was the extent of his injury. Ronan Murray came on in his place. The half time break was an exercise in letting off steam for the majority of the Notts fans, outraged at an absolute fiasco of a first half. Things didn't get better at the start of the second half, as Bristol carried on their thuggish, aggressive play. On 53, Alan Sheehan's quick free kick saw McGregor curl a shot inches wide. Another penalty call was then waved away as Murray was fouled, the referee judging the tackle in the box not to be worthy of punishment. On 53, Alan Sheehan's quick free kick saw McGregor curl a shot inches wide. Another penalty call was then waved away as Murray was fouled, the referee judging the tackle in the box not to be worthy of punishment. A double effort from McGregor just after the hour invigorated the increasingly frantic and agitated Notts fans, the young Scot firing just over, then just wide on 63. On 68, Bart made another great save against Emmanuel-Thomas, whose right-footed shot from outside the box was saved following a good diagonal ball from Reid. The fans were eager for Enoch Showunmi to come on, in a bid to give the Bristol defence some grief, and their wish came true as the big frontman came on in the 77th minute. McGregor then came agonisingly close once again with five minutes to spare, but his shot, following a cheeky backheel from Grealish, was just the wrong side of the bottom left corner. Notts would earn redemption with just a few minutes to spare, as they were awarded a penalty following an infringement by Marvin Elliott. The celebrations as Sheehan converted to earn his team the draw were pure catharsis. It could have actually ended perfectly for the Magpies as Showunmi was one-on-one right at the death, but unfortunately his good effort struck the Bristol post and bounced out. That would prove to be the last action of the game, and perfect though it may have been, the Notts were more than happy to have claimed a rightful point after a game laden with aggression and incompetence.

Notts County and Bristol City have faced each other a gargantuan 103 times over their history. This is because both clubs have been regularly playing each other since the 1900s. However, tomorrow will be their first league meeting in ten years! Bristol City only just hold the upper edge, having won 41 games to Notts's 39. 23 matches have been drawn. The city of Bristol is the largest metro area in England never to have won the English top tier championship. City won the Welsh Cup – despite being an English club – in 1934. In 1982, Bristol City became the first English club to suffer three consecutive relegations. Ashton Gate is the only ground in the English football league not to accommodate executive boxes. Despite their underachievements, Bristol City is supported by some notable celebrities, including John Cleese of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame, Formula 1 great Jenson Button, and actor Russell Crowe. Bristol City shares the English football league record for consecutive wins, notching up 14 wins in a row during the 1905-06 season. This record is shared with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Preston North End. If Bristol defender Louis Carey plays against Notts on Saturday, he will tie with striker John Atyeo, who played for the club in the 50s and 60s, on 645 appearances for the South-West club, the current club record. Some familiar faces will be returning to Nottingham with the club on Saturday. Steve Cotterill, who helped Notts to the League Two championship in 2010, will be facing his former club, while Marlon Harewood, who played for the other team in the city, will be back on Nottingham soil after having played for a variety of other clubs, including one in China. Notts County also have no new injury worries and could have striker Danny Haynes available after tonsillitis. Fellow striker Marcus Haber's loan spell has ended while defender Mustapha Dumbuya could return to action before the new year. Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury concerns, but loanee Stephen McLaughlin has returned to parent club Nottingham Forest after picking up a knee injury.

Notts County recorded their biggest away win of the season today as they destroyed Colchester United by four goals to nil at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Jack Grealish and Morgan Fox gave the Magpies a healthy lead in the first half, before Callum McGregor and Gary Liddle completed the rout in the second half against the shellshocked U's. Manager Shaun Derry opted for the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 used in the win against Gillingham. The only change in personnel was Callum Ball, replacing Danny Haynes in the starting 11. The first chance of the game came to Liddle in the third minute, after a neat ball teed up by McGregor. His side footed shot was comfortably saved by Sam Walker though. Colchester got their first chance on five minutes, as Clinton Morrison seized on a loose ball in the centre of the box to fire a low shot, but Bart saved well. Long throws were the order of the day from the Colchester starting eleven, and one in the eighth minute fell to Alex Gilbey, who powered the ball towards Bart with a header. Again, saved by the Pole. Fifteen minutes played, Alan Sheehan put his set piece skills to good use as his dangerous free-kick was cleared away, before the Irishman then launched an ambitious 30-yard shot towards goal, which sadly was over. As the game went on, Notts grew in confidence and asserted themselves into the game, the skilful Grealish getting several shots in and repeatedly breaking through the U's defence with his pace. The occasional flash of Colchester intent was thwarted by the Notts defence or keeper. Grealish was eventually rewarded for his endeavour and hard work with a goal in the 30th minute. A good low cross from JCR was met by the young Aston Villa loanee, who kept his composure to fire a low shot past Walker into the bottom left corner. First blood to Notts. Despite the setback, the U's would continue to drive forward and use those long throws to cause chaos in the Notts defence. Gilbey and Jabo Ibehre were able to get several shots in quick succession on 35 minutes in this manner, all wide or saved though. Notts withstood the brief barrage, but rather than just consolidate the lead, they went on to extend it right on the stroke of half time. A great cross from Ball on the far side fell kindly to Fox, who proceeded to tap it in at the back post. Half time, and Notts go in with a healthy 2-0 lead. Colchester kicked off the second half with intent, Craig Eastmond firing a dangerous shot from outside the box, which Bart saved, and Okuonghae picking up the ball in the Notts box but firing high, a great chance gone amiss. This followed a yellow for Liddle, booked for a tough challenge. Notts continued to play good football despite Colchester's growing presence in the game, JCR and McGregor causing trouble on the hour mark with good runs into the U's half. Both sides by this point were going for broke, Notts wanting to capitalise on their lead and momentum, Colchester desperately trying to pull one back. The game became a great display of end-to-end football, chances falling to both teams one after the other. As the tempo went up, so did the intensity of the players, and as such, the frequency of tackles. Eastmond and McGregor were booked in quick succession on 69 and 71. Grealish very nearly got a second on 79, but his shot, following a Sheehan corner, smashed against the post. Not to worry, as McGregor would soon get his customary goal as per his sterling performances, finishing a move started by Andre Boucaud by slotting home from the left-hand side past Walker. Colchester didn't even have time to compose themselves when the Purple Rain came storming down once again on the beleaguered U's, Grealish crossing to Liddle who pretty much walked the ball into the net a mere three minutes later. And so the game ended, 4-0, the joint-biggest win of the season (alongside the 4-0 win at Crewe a few weeks back). What made this all the sweeter was the fact it was away, it was a second win on the bounce, and it finally sees us come off the foot of the table.

Notts County have met Colchester United a modest 38 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988. The U's hold the marginal upper edge, having won 14 games to Notts' 16, with 8 draws. All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier. Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937. However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873, but despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town Football Club in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players. As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and thrived while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded. Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time. Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester United, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 184! Talk about loyalty! Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua. Colchester have a lot of men out injured or suspended for tomorrow's game. Captain Brian Wilson is suspended after receiving his fifth booking of the season in the 2-1 defeat at Tranmere. Midfielders David Wright and Marcus Bean are injured and will sit out the game against Notts, as Joe Dunne's side aim to pick up what would only be a third win in 20 games. Long-term absentees Freddie Sears, Gavin Massey, Sanchez Watt, Josh Thompson and Drey Wright remain sidelined. Notts County have an unchanged squad for the trip to Colchester. Marcus Haber is still suspended. He will serve the final game of a three-match ban, after being sent off against Bradford at the end of last month. Meanwhile, Joss Labadie and defender Mustapha Dumbuya are still not quite ready to return from injury.

Notts County has seen plenty of star players grace the Meadow Lane pitch over the years, from the vintage icons of the early 20th century like Billy Flint through to the ones still professionally active such as Kasper Schmeichel and Alan Judge. However, one player is in the annals thanks to a prestigious statistic, confirming his status as one of the club's all-time greats for decades to come. That man is Les Bradd, Notts County's all-time leading goalscorer. Born in Buxton, Derbyshire in 1947, Bradd was scouted by Rotherham playing for local team East Sterndale, and in 1966 signed for the Millers. His spell with the South Yorkshire club was brief, although he did net his only goal against, ironically, Notts County, in the League Cup in August 1967. Just two months later, joined the Magpies, and he would soon embark on a career where local hero status would beckon. His first goal in black and white came in a 2-0 win against Rochdale on the 21st October, one of ten goals he would score during the course of the season. Powerfully built, bustling and with an eye for goal, Bradd also helped set up goals, his great link up play benefitting Tony Hateley and, later on, Kevin Randall and Mick Vinter. As he developed his all-round game at Meadow Lane, so did the quality of the whole squad, and by 1971, under the tutelage of the great Jimmy Sirrell, Notts had climbed out of the Fourth Division as champions, nine points in front of runners-up Bournemouth. At this stage, Bradd had scored 39 goals for the Magpies, but more was to come. The following season, as Notts finished just three points off promotion in the Third Division, Bradd scored an impressive 21 goals, more than the previous two seasons' already decent contributions put together, in addition to three in the FA and League cups, and by 1972/73, Notts went one further and were promoted into Division Two, Bradd scoring nine and helping his team-mates score many more. Bradd eventually reached the 100-goal mark in April 1976, scoring against Fulham in a 4-0 win, in a season where his contributions also helped Notts knock First Division sides Sunderland, Leeds United and Everton. If that wasn't enough, he sealed his place in Notts County's highest echelons with a goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers just a year later, surpassing Tony Hateley as the club's all-time leading goalscorer. At the start of the 1978 season, Bradd's love affair with the Magpies ended, as he left Meadow Lane for Lancashire, joining Stockport County. He continued his spectacular goalscoring record, netting 31 goals in 117 appearances, before moving on once again in 1981, remaining in Lancs as he became a Wigan Athletic player. His tally of 25 in 63 during his period with the Latics, even helping them gain promotion to the Third Division, will ensure both teams will remember him fondly as a player, but it is Nottingham where Les Bradd is most cherished and revered, given his key role during one of the club's brightest periods, not to mention his record-breaking goals tally. Bradd is now retired, but carries on doing work for the club as an Ambassador and is incredibly active in this role. Showing how much of a good sport he is, he featured in a Soccer AM special on Saturday 7th December 2013 featuring Mockney character Franky Fryer which showcased Nottingham's attractions, including the mighty Meadow Lane. With it being 50 years since making his Magpies bow, Bradd has this year released an autobiography named Far Post: A Striker’s Tale of Scoring Goals and Breaking Records. In this book, Bradd takes an in-depth look at his own career and gives an exclusive insight into his relationship with club legends like Jimmy Sirrel, Tony Hateley and Don Masson, and is available at lesbraddbook.co.uk or at the Meadow Lane club shop. If ever one man deserved to be called a Notts County legend, Les Bradd would be more than deserving of the title. Share your memories of Les Bradd's playing career or of meeting the man himself by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

All in all, a great game for Notts today, as we won convincingly against Gillingham FC, but it certainly didn't look that way in the first 40 or so minutes. A lacklustre, disjointed first-half performance nevertheless managed to yield a goal, courtesy of the frankly unplayable Callum McGregor, while the second half, which began with an equalising Gills goal, was a great display of attacking football in which Jack Grealish and sub Callum Ball, alongside the young Scot, tore the visitors to pieces. Shaun Derry began the game in a 4-5-1 formation, Morgan Fox getting his first league start at left back. He replaced Manny Smith after the centre-back suffered a knock, as Alan Sheehan moved to the heart of defence alongside skipper Dean Leacock. The back four was completed by reliable Kieron Freeman. Within the first two minutes, Freeman's free kick fell to Danny Haynes, but he somehow conspired to miss from six yards. Not long afterwards, former Notts player Myles Weston got a cross in at the other end, but Charlie Lee headed over. As the foundations were set for a tense and scrappy game, the Gills came within a post's length of taking the lead, Danny Kedwell's header across goal falling to Bradley Dack, whose touch grazed the inside of the post and trickled out. Quite a few decisions seemed to go against Notts more often than not; midway through the first half, a McGregor shot was handled by Gills' Adam Barrett in the box, but no penalty was given. After an initial 40 minutes that were an eyesore to Notts fans - some began leaving for the bar as early as 35 - the tactic of getting the ball to the flanks and attempting to cross finally, surprisingly, paid dividends. Jamal Campbell-Ryce managed to get the ball to McGregor, and courtesy of some scrappy pinballing in the box, the young Scot retained the ball and was able to fire into the net. 1-0 Notts. The second half then began poorly for Notts, and within 90 seconds, were pegged back to 1-1. Dack met a cross from the right at close range and although Bartosz Bialkowski got his hand on the ball, he was unable to prevent it from trickling inside the right-hand post. However, McGregor, ever the star man, scored an exquisite goal just eight minutes later. He picked up Gary Liddle's ball in front of the Gills goal, but rather than smash it in brutally and thoughtlessly, he weaved into position, made fools out of their defenders, then powered a shot into the net. 2-1, the crowd went wild. Things would get even better when the ineffective Haynes was replaced by Derby loanee Callum Ball. The rest of the game saw him, McGregor and Grealish completely terrorise the Gillingham defence. The away side had some good attempts and very nearly pulled it back to 2-2 after Jake Hessenthaler's corner was met by Donervan Daniels, but McGregor only found himself in the right spot at the back to make a stupendous goal-line clearance. Adebayo Akinfenwa had a great chance of his own but Bart was equal to it with an amazing save on 72. The icing on the cake came courtesy of Grealish on 87. He picked up the ball, weaved past the Gills defence, and finally rifled a fantastic shot into the net, to the sounds of "Shoot! Shoot! SHOOOOT!" coming from the Kop. The valiant Magpies were able to see out the game, and when the final whistle came, the Notts fans were jubilant. Great performance, great result, and despite still being bottom of the table, we're three points from safety, though we need to see how the games in hand of the teams above us pan out.

Notts County's head-to-head record against Gillingham is historically pretty poor, winning 8 games, drawing 7 and losing 15 since our first fixture on 25th October 1930. Fixtures between the two tend to come thick and fast for a certain period of time before ceasing to be for years on end; between 1985 and 1989 we played each other nine times, then no meeting for seven years, squaring up again in October 1996. Since that league meeting (lost 1-0), another five games took place until March 2000, and then, nothing for eight years! Our last victory over the Gills was the March 2000 game, where the only goal scored came from Ian Richardson; Notts heroes such as Darren Ward and Mark Stallard also played in that game! For over 50 years, the record for the fastest hat-trick in the Football League belonged to Jimmy Scarth, who scored three goals in two minutes and 30 seconds against Leyton Orient, on the 1st November 1952. Sadly in 2004, James Hayter of Bournemouth dispossessed Scarth of said record; he came on as an 84th minute substitute in their game against Wrexham, and scored three times in two minutes and 20 seconds! Gillingham do however retain one record; having conceded the fewest goals in a 46-match season, when the team conceded only 20 goals during 1995–96. Former Notts boss Martin Allen led the Gills to the League Two title last season, but a Notts reunion isn't on the cards, as he was surprisingly sacked after a seemingly poor start to the season. The Gills could have radically changed the face of English football had they not lost against Manchester City in the 1998/99 Second Division play-off final. Had they won, City may have never recovered from a second year on the bounce in the third tier, by their own admission. And let's not forget Gillingham were leading 2-0 will less than two minutes left on the clock! Instead, as things went, City were back up in the top tier within a few years, just in time to catch the eyes of some very wealthy people casually window shopping in the Premiership... Shaun Derry says on-loan Callum Ball, Morgan Fox and Bradley Jordan are all in contention for starting places. Striker Marcus Haber is suspended, while defender Mustapha Dumbuya and midfielder Joss Labadie are injured. Gillingham are without John Mousinho and Elliott Hewitt, whose loan stints ended early because of injuries. Charlie Allen has been recalled from his loan spell and Amine Linganzi is expected to be back on the bench. Striker Danny Kedwell will be assessed following illness but midfielder Steven Gregory and forward Craig Fagan are out. Former Notts alumni who could line up for the Gills today include Myles Weston and Stuart Nelson.

What a game, but what a cruel result. A right slug-fest of a match, with both teams trading chances like two boxers would trade jabs and hooks, full of end to end action, with the result only confirmed by one individual slip-up... I'm afraid I'll have to use the word "sucker-punch" once again this season, because that's exactly what happened against Notts. Brentford ran out 1-0 winners today thanks to one, completely against the run of play. And it hurts. Alan Sheehan was back on the left side of defence after recovering from his knock in midweek, while Loanee Morgan Fox was named among the substitutes alongside fellow new recruit Callum Ball from just down the A52. Meanwhile, Marcus Haber’s red card at Bradford meant Shaun Derry would pair Callum McGregor up with Danny Haynes in attack. The game began well for the Magpies, who saw Jack Grealish fire a shot in the fourth minute. David Button, Brentford keeper, then denied Haynes' follow-up. Just a minute later, Haynes marauded forward and caused panic in the Bees defence, but Button was quick to it. Next attempt came from the visitors, Adam Forshaw curling just past the Notts post from a good 25 yards out on eight minutes. Jamal Campbell-Ryce, on a kind of renaissance since Shaun Derry's appointment, lashed in a cross which very nearly went in, sadly flying just beyond the back post. Just a few minutes later, a Sheehan free kick bounced awkwardly in the Brentford box, but Alan McCormack cleared. At the other end, Forshaw again caused trouble, sending a volley wide on 22. The action kept coming thick and fast, and on 25, Liddle thought he'd scored his second goal for Notts, but his scissor kick was blocked off the line by Clayton Donaldson. On the half hour mark, William Grigg sent a low cross into the Notts area, but Dean Leacock blocked it well and punted it upfield. On 38, Andre Boucaud lashed a right-foot shot from outside the box, but Button sewed it up well, while in the 42nd minute, Haynes marauded into the box and crossed low, only for JCR to blast it over. Sadly, the 44th minute saw Boucaud gift the ball to Toumani Diogouraga, who sliced it in for Grigg to prod home. A massive blow, Notts nevertheless came back fighting in the second half. On 50, a Haynes cross was thwarted by a Brentford handball, which the ref didn't give, the subsequent Liddle cross coming to nothing. Grealish, McGregor and JCR were working fantastically together, seeing countless shots and crosses blocked or saved, before another near-deadly mistake by Boucaud deep in the Notts half luckily didn't see Notts go 2-0 down, Bart parrying the subsequent shot away. Likewise with a great Donaldson shot which went ever so slightly wide on 61. This would continue right until the end of the game, both teams trading shots, to the tune of 20 for Notts and 15 for Brentford, on average one every three minutes in the match plus injury time. If this was a boxing match, Notts would have come out on top, with better possession, more shots on goal, and thrice the amount of corners, were it not for the knockout blow administered by Gregg at the end of the first half. Notts will also feel aggrieved with another abject refereeing display, having seen two potential penalty shouts for handball waved away. Good display from Notts, much better than those monstrosities in the weeks leading up to Chris Kiwomya's sacking. But good displays alone won't cut it any more. We need points, and we need them desperately. What will it take for Notts to win a game, never mind enough of them to actually climb up the table? Six points from safety now, and in danger of slipping away week on week.

Out of the last 28 English football seasons (going back to 1985/86), Notts County and Brentford have been in the same league 18 of those seasons. Bit of a regular fixture then. Brentford certainly have the upper edge historically, winning 26 out of the 74 meetings. Notts have won 20, while 28 meetings were drawn. Notts haven't won against the Hounslow side since the 2003/04 season, when we did the league double over them. Eight draws followed, but the impasse was broken by Brentford beating Notts home and away last season, both 2-1 wins. Brentford FC started life in 1889 because the members of the Brentford Rowing Club wanted to engage in a sport as a filler during the winter months. By 8 votes to 5, they opted for football instead of rugby. Notts County legend Tommy Lawton played for Brentford directly after his talismanic spell with the Magpies, scoring 17 goals in 50 games between 1951 and 1953. He also served as player/manager in his final year with the club before leaving for Arsenal. Uwe Rösler, their current manager, is a Manchester City legend, averaging a goal every three games during his time with the Sky Blues (he was also a beast on Championship Manager 97/98!). Rösler is also Brentford's first ever foreign manager - every previous manager in the Bees' history hailed from the British Isles. Brentford is a popular team with many musicians who grace the pages of NME. Hard-Fi lead singer and guitarist Richard Archer, Bluetones guitarist Adam Devlin, Status Quo bassist John "Rhino" Edwards, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman are all supporters of the Hounslow club. Since 1954, Brentford have experienced football higher than the third tier for just one season, in 1991/92. Last season, they came within one penalty kick of changing that. Then this happened... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4SK8PP-UP8 New loan signings Morgan Fox, a left-back, midfielder Bradley Jordan, both from Charlton Athletic, and striker Callum Ball from Derby are in contention to make their Notts County debuts after joining until January. Marcus Haber starts a three-game suspension after his sending off in the 1-1 draw at Bradford City on Tuesday. Brentford manager Uwe Rosler has no new injury problems as they bid for a seventh win in eight League One games. Versatile team captain Kevin O'Connor is edging closer to full fitness after an ankle injury, but may be rested.