Search the Community

Born on the 12th October 1981 in Dublin, Ireland, Thompson began his football career with his local team River Valley Rangers, before joining Home Farm FC, a club famed for its illustrious youth system. During his time there, he was called up to the Irish Under-16 team, and helped the Boys in Green to a first UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, defeating the mighty Italy in Scotland. At the age of seventeen, he signed for Forest, another team with a strong youth system, and by 2000 he had won another youth tournament, this time the Premier Academy League, as the captain of an Under-19 team including future Premier League mainstays as Andy Reid, Jermaine Jenas and Michael Dawson. His full debut for the Reds came in the 2001/02 season away at Sheffield United, and by the following season he was a valued member of the first team, starting 25 games in a strong team which also featured the likes of Marlon Harewood, David Johnson, and Wes Morgan. His impressive performances for Nottingham's second team led to an international call-up for the senior Ireland team, his first cap coming against Canada in 2003. This made him one of the few footballers in Irish history to represent his country at every level. In 2005, a knee injury against Sheffield United saw him sidelined until the end of the season, one which would end in Forest's relegation from the First Division. Although in fine form in the third division, even netting several goals along the way, several factors, including injuries and backroom instability, meant he would fall out of the first team picture. In the 2006/07 season, he went out on loan to Tranmere Rovers, performing well during two separate spells with the Lilywhites. In February 2007, a ligament injury saw Thompson out for six weeks, which, given his struggle to reclaim a first team place at Forest, came at the worst possible time. Indeed, the end of the season saw Forest release nine players, Thompson being one of them. The Irishman joined Oldham Athletic, but injuries restricted his appearances to twelve, three as a sub. Knowing he wouldn't be in the club's long term plans, he returned to Nottingham, hooking up with the Magpies in October 2008 for a month's loan. This would be extended for a further two months, as he slotted in perfectly in Notts' back four . In January 2009, he made the decision to sign for Notts permanently, agreeing to a two and a half year deal. His uncompromising defending and immense aerial presence meant he was an instant success. By the end of the season, he'd replaced Notts legend Mike Edwards as club captain, the club confirming he would remain skipper for the following season. As every Notts fan knows, the 2009/10 season was a very odd one, as the club was taken over by the mysterious Munto Finance and saw a media circus complete with some of English football's marquee names turn up at the Lane, playing great football and winning the title but always having the fear of uncertainty regarding the club's finances and future as it emerged the whole affair wasn't entirely legitimate. Thompson, along with other players like Ricky Ravenhill and Mike Edwards, were a bastion of stability and calm, however, and never let their guard or game down both on and off the field, as Notts emerged from the whole debacle relatively unscathed, Thompson lifting the championship trophy at the end of the season. The 2010/11 season was more of a struggle, as Notts struggled in League One on the final day of the season, but Thompson's contributions were nonetheless important. However, at the end of the season, his contract was not renewed, as new manager Martin Allen arrived at the Lane at the tail end of the season, and with him the intention to build his own team. Thompson was one of a contingent of players to be released, alongside other first team players such as Jon Harley and Liam Chilvers. Wishing to stay in Nottinghamshire, he chose to step down two divisions to join Mansfield Town, signing a two-year deal at Field Mill. Tipped by the Mansfield hierarchy to become an instant success, his life was suddenly turned upside down as his team faced local side Ilkeston Town FC in a pre-season friendly on the 3rd of August 2011. One member of their team, Gary Ricketts, had already caused injuries two of Mansfield's players, Ritchie Sutton and Martin Riley, before clashing with Thompson in the 68th minute. All three players had to be taken to hospital. Thompson suffered a broken nose, required nearly 60 stitches, damaged his shoulder and dislocated his finger. Even after recovering physically, so harrowing was the experience that he began having panic attacks and lost confidence on and off the pitch. Despite seeing a psychologist, he wasn't able to fully overcome his issues, and as a result, was forced to retire from the game at the young age of 31 in 2013. Since then, Thompson has qualified, and has been working as, a physiotherapist and personal trainer, and also does media work discussing the county's clubs. Share your thoughts about this Notts Alumni 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. We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!

Notts County have added a fourth player to their ranks this week in the shape of Kane Hemmings, who joins from Oxford United on a three-year deal for a reported fee of around £100,000. The Magpies have already snapped up Tom Crawford, Kristian Dennis and Andy Kellett, and now they have secured the signature of a player who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Mansfield Town last term. Hemmings will be familiar to Notts fans, having scored a 99th-minute penalty in a 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane in March. “I’m over the moon,” the Burton-upon-Trent lad told the official Notts site. “This is a club that wants to go places, and I want to go there with them. “Being a local lad and having heard the plans the manager and chairman have for the club, it’s an opportunity I couldn’t really turn down. “As soon as the offer came in I was convinced straightaway. It’s a perfect match and I’m delighted to get it done. “I like to get on the ball and be in and around the box, getting shots away and linking up with team-mates. “Hopefully the fans will see an exciting player who scores a goal or two and is a big influence on the team.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Terry Hawkridge has reassured Notts County fans by stressing that the players will not struggle to get over their last-ditch 1-1 draw to Mansfield Town last weekend. The Magpies were on the verge of recording a first league win over the Stags since 2005 in front of a bumper crowd that braved the snowy conditions at Meadow Lane. Kevin Nolan's boys took the lead in the first half through Hawkridge, but the Stags were given the chance to equalise eight minutes into the seven minutes of added time at the end of the game. Lewis Alessandra's arm was in the box and made contact with the ball, prompting referee Andy Woolmer to point to the spot, and Kane Hemmings made no mistake from 12 yards. Nolan was furious with the ref's decision, but Hawkridge says the Magpies have no time to dwell on it ahead of their League Two game at Chesterfield on Sunday. “It won’t be really tough to get over because it’s not the first time it’s not gone our way,” he told the Nottingham Post. “We just have to keep our head down, keep working and just concentrate on us. “I am sure it will kick us on because I thought we played really well and we were the better team. “We just got to concentrate on Chesterfield now. We are building some momentum and we just have to aim to pick up points.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has claimed that the weekend 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town felt like a defeat to his players. Terry Hawkridge gave the Magpies the lead in Saturday's League Two derby, played in front of a bumper crowd at Meadow Lane and in wintry conditions. However, referee Andy Woolmer played beyond the seven minutes of stoppage time and, when Alessandra handballed with his arm in the area, he awarded Mansfield a penalty. Kane Hemmings then slotted home from 12 yards out to give David Flitcroft's side a share of the spoils, leaving Nolan bemoaning a “poor” decision and hoping it won't have repercussions later in the season. “It’s not that it plays on your mind, it’s what it does to you at the end of the season,” he told the Nottingham Post. “If we miss out on a playoff place by two points what are we going to look back at? “They (referees) can’t keep getting things wrong and my lads deserved more. “They managed everything exceptionally well and they should have come off that pitch looking forward to a couple of days off with their friends and families. “They should have been happy, but they were not because of another poor decision. It felt like a defeat to them because they were robbed of three points.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County were pegged back eight minutes into injury time as Mansfield Town's late, late penalty saw them leave Meadow Lane with a point in a 1-1 draw. The Magpies were on the verge of recording a first league win over the Stags since 2005 in front of a bumper crowd that braved the snowy, cold, treacherous conditions at the San Sirrel. Kevin Nolan's boys took the lead in the first half through Terry Hawkridge bundling home, but the Stags were given the chance to equalise eight minutes into the seven minutes of added time at the end of the game. Alex MacDonald headed into the box in the last minute of injury time with the ball hitting Lewis Alessandra on the arm, prompting referee Andy Woolmer to point to the spot. Kane Hemmings made no mistake from 12 yards, and so the hoodoo against the bitter rivals continues. How did the Notts contingent (Kevin Nolan, players and fans) react to the result? Here is Pride of Nottingham's post-match reaction compilation. Kevin Nolan (official site) "I don't think I've ever been involved in a game with weather conditions like that. "I'm delighted with the lads for the way they went about it in really difficult conditions. "We shaded it, had chances and limited them to very few until the last minute, when they are going to throw everything at you. "The way we handled everything - the occasion, the atmosphere and the conditions - was absolutely spot on. "They deserved to win after the performance they put in." Kevin Nolan (Nottingham Post) “My lads have been robbed of two points. We played really well and they got the goal they deserved. They limited Mansfield to very few chances. “The first chance they had in which the keeper had to make a save was in the 97th minute. “I am flabbergasted and I don’t know how we have come off the pitch having drawn the game. “The referee cost us two points with a horrendous, terrible, decision. It was outside the box and the referee has no excuses. “It’s so bad because my lads had to earn the right to get a goal and to try for a clean sheet. “We did enough to win the game, but the referee has given them a penalty out of nothing. “This is third v fifth. It’s so disappointing and it is happening week in and week out. But I am so proud of my lads.” Terry Hawkridge (OS) "I thought we played really well today. It was tough but I thought we dug in well, were the better side on the day and did enough to win the game but some decisions go your way and some don't. "The lads are disappointed because it was a late goal and we thought we could hold on but we have to carry on and concentrate on the next game. This could prove to be a good point in the end." The Black and White Army (PON social media) Lee Atkins: 7 mins stoppage time so he gives a penalty in 7 mins 30 seconds!!! Mmmmmmm. Derek Gill: Too many points dropped after 90 mins, will cost promotion this year. Magpie Moomin: The only person who saw a pen was the ref where the F**K did he find 7 mins??? Richard Wood: It was a definite penalty. We asked for trouble tbf. Dave Woolley: If we had a striker a last minute penalty wouldn’t have mattered. Same old same old. Geoff King: They could come with us... Getting very interesting.. The top 7 could all look very different on Easter Tuesday. Ian Rogers: Robbed by a Referee who somehow managed to pluck 7 minutes of added time from thin air, and then play 10 - W ! ! Alan Turner: No wonder managers get in to trouble, for speaking their mind. When the FA keep protecting these idiots, and put them in a glass cage. They should be made to be held for their mistakes, and explain them. Not whitewashed over. A lot is riding on games these days. Not only money but people's livelihood. Rant over. ???? Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County were pegged back eight minutes into injury time as Mansfield Town's late, late penalty saw them leave Meadow Lane with a point in a 1-1 draw. The Magpies were on the verge of recording a first league win over the Stags since 2005 in front of a bumper crowd that braved the snowy, cold, treacherous conditions at the San Sirrel. Kevin Nolan's boys took the lead in the first half through Terry Hawkridge bundling home, but the Stags were given the chance to equalise eight minutes into the seven minutes of added time at the end of the game. Alex Macdonald headed into the box in the last minute of injury time with the ball hitting Lewis Alessandra on the arm, prompting referee Andy Woolmer to point to the spot, and Kane Hemmings made no mistake. Pride of Nottingham was at the Lane for the occasion and took photos of our fans - check our gallery to see if you're in this week's Faces of PON! Share your thoughts about this week's Faces of PON on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County came so close to claiming a first league victory against Mansfield Town since 2005 but ultimately fell just short as the opposition scored a late penalty in what ended as a 1-1 draw.. The big League Two derby, which kicked off at 1pm, saw the Magpies take the lead midway through the first half at a snowy Meadow Lane. Terry Hawkridge was the man who scored the opener, a scrappy goal bundled home from close range after Conrad Logan had palmed Shola Ameobi's header back out into danger. The Stags improved in the second half but Notts had appeared to have done enough when the clock ticked past the seven minutes of added time. But the game continued and, in the eighth minute, Lewis Alessandra's handball in the box - though even that is contentious - led to a penalty, which Kane Hemmings converted for an ill-deserved share of the spoils. Notts County have uploaded the match highlights, and we've shared them on here for you so you can relive the action from the game. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County were "robbed of two points" as they played out a 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town on Saturday. The Magpies took the lead in the first half through Terry Hawkridge bundling home, but the Stags were given the chance to equalise eight minutes into the seven minutes of added time at the end of the game. Alex Macdonald headed into the box in the last minute of injury time with the ball hitting Lewis Alessandra on the arm, prompting referee Andy Woolmer to point to the spot, and Kane Hemmings made no mistake. “My lads have been robbed of two points,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post following the derby at Meadow Lane. “We played really well and they got the goal they deserved. They limited Mansfield to very few chances. “The first chance they had in which the keeper had to make a save was in the 97th minute. “I am flabbergasted and I don’t know how we have come off the pitch having drawn the game. “The referee cost us two points with a horrendous, terrible, decision. It was outside the box and the referee has no excuses. “It’s so bad because my lads had to earn the right to get a goal and to try for a clean sheet. “We did enough to win the game, but the referee has given them a penalty out of nothing. “This is third v fifth. It’s so disappointing and it is happening week in and week out. But I am so proud of my lads.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County came so close to claiming a first league victory against Mansfield Town since 2005 but ultimately they fell just short in heartbreaking circumstances. The big League Two derby, which kicked off at 1pm, saw the Magpies take the lead midway through the first half. Terry Hawkridge was the man who scored the opener, a scrappy goal bundled home from close range after Conrad Logan had palmed Shola Ameobi's header back out into danger. The Stags improved in the second half but Notts had appeared to have done enough when the clock ticked past the seven minutes of added time. But the game continued and, in the eighth minute, Lewis Alessandra's handball in the box - though even that is contentious - led to a penalty, which Kane Hemmings converted for a final score of 1-1. Pride of Nottingham writer and vlogger ARLukomski was at the Lane for the big game and gives his pre-match, mid-match and post-match thoughts. Follow ARLukomski on his YouTube channel by clicking here. Share your thoughts about this vlog on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

A penalty awarded after the declared seven minutes of injury time saw Notts County pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Mansfield Town in Saturday's big League Two derby. A snowy Meadow Lane played host to the two Nottinghamshire rivals, both of whom are thick in the promotion shout. Notts began brightly in the poor conditions and had their first effort on six minutes as Carl Dickinson played the ball into the box where Jon Stead sent a header wide of the left post. Four minutes later, Stags goalkeeper Conrad Logan punched a ball to the edge of his area and Liam Noble was quickest to the loose ball but his attempted lob landed on the roof of the net. Mansfield took a while to get into gear but soon they were matching the Magpies on the pitch, winning several corners, and Ben Hall did well to clear a cross before Danny Rose could turn it home. Just after the half-hour mark, the Stags mustered a shot on target when Rose was played the ball on the edge of the Notts box but saw his low effort picked up by Adam Collin. From the ensuing break, Jorge Grant was able to cross for the unmarked Shola Ameobi just five yards out, but Logan made a save with his legs to send the ball behind for a corner. The set piece led to County's opener as Ameobi nodded goalwards, Logan parried the header onto the bar and when it came back out again, Terry Hawkridge was on hand to nudge the ball into the back of the net. Kevin Nolan's side went in at the break a goal up but the visitors improved after the break, with Kane Hemmings, Paul Anderson and Alex MacDonald all weighing in with efforts. Midway through the second half the handbags came out after Mal Benning had brought Jon Stead down on the flank, with MacDonald and Noble involved in a bit of afters. Both sides continued to exchange blows but the sucker punch for Notts came 30 seconds past the seventh minute of added time. MacDonald headed the ball back into the Notts area and it made contact with Lewis Alessandra's arm, prompting the referee to award a penalty which Hemmings slotted low beyond Collin from 12 yards. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Head to head The first fixture between Notts County and Mansfield Town was in October 1937, a 2-0 win for the Magpies in Division Three (South). Mansfield now have the upper edge, with Notts on 18 wins, 19 defeats, and 14 draws. Between 1989 and 2001, the two sides met six times – and Notts won each time. County's record over the last 10 meetings, however, is poor, standing at two wins, six defeats, and two draws. This record is embellished by the fact Notts have beaten Mansfield twice in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the last two years. In reality, the Magpies haven't got a league win over the Stags since August 2005. The Stags have lost none of their last seven league visits to Meadow Lane, keeping clean sheets in each of their last four. The Magpies have already lost twice to Mansfield this season (once in a league game, once in a EFL Trophy game), last losing three matches to an opponent in a single season in 2002/03 against Wigan Athletic. Mansfield's last three league games have all finished 1-1, with the Stags taking the lead on each occasion. Opposition history The Stags were formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans, changing their name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910. Mansfield won the Football League Trophy in 1987, in their first game at Wembley Stadium. After a 1–1 draw with Bristol City, they won the cup 5–4 in the deciding penalty shootout, thanks to Kevin Hitchcock saving two penalties. That remains the only cup win in their history, though they did win the Division Four title in 1974-75, Division Three two seasons later, and the Conference in 2012-13. Famous people from Mansfield include Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, media presenter Richard Bacon, FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic and award-winning fashion designer Elspeth Gibson. Team news Kevin Nolan could name an unchanged team from last week's late 2-1 win at Forest Green which extended his side's unbeaten run to three games. However, the gaffer could also be tempted to restore Matty Virtue to his starting line-up in place of winger Terry Hawkridge. New Mansfield boss David Flitcroft could be forced to reshuffle his side as they look to bounce back from last week's draw with Colchester United. Captain Zander Diamond was forced off with a hamstring injury while Jacob Mellis suffered a knock to his ankle in the same game. However, neither injury is as bad as was first feared and Flitcroft hopes both players could be available for the derby. Will Atkinson and Paul Digby are among those pushing to start after coming off the bench last week. Share your thoughts about this match preview on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft has described Notts County as "quite an intimidating place" as he gears up for his first Nottinghamshire derby. The 44-year-old has only been in charge of the Stags since the start of March, leaving Swindon Town to take over from Steve Evans in the Field Mill dugout. As derbies between the two go, Saturday's clash at Meadow Lane is arguably one of the most significant in recent years, with both sides in the thick of the League Two promotion race. “They play a certain way and do things how Kev (Kevin Nolan) likes to play and we’ve got to combat that,” Flitcroft told the Nottingham Post. "We must make sure on the day we turn their strengths into weaknesses and that we are stronger in what we do. “Notts can be quite an intimidating place. They have made it a fortress and we have to try to take ownership ourselves, which can only come through the performance of the players and the energy they show which will cascade onto our fans. “Notts have had a good season. Kevin has had that momentum from last season. He went in there just after Christmas time and built momentum. Obviously the owner's backed him. He is a great football man, but we have to concentrate on our game. “They are up there for a reason. If you are in the top three over the course of a season then you’re doing something right. We have to understand that. But since I came in here from day one we’ve been concentrating on Mansfield Town and what we can do to improve and how we can get better. We are certainly seeing small signs of that.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has questioned why Notts County have given Mansfield Town so many tickets but is eager for his players to do what they've been doing for most of the season when the two sides clash on Saturday. The Stags travel to Meadow Lane for the 1pm kickoff, which will see two sides in the thick of the promotion race duke it out for points and, given the huge rivalry between the two, bragging rights. “It’s just like any other rivalry and you live it and feel it,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “Everybody knows about it around the city and they’ve got 4,000 fans coming, which says it all. Although, I don’t know why we have given them that many tickets, I must admit. “But I am looking forward to it. I don’t think I have managed to beat them since I’ve been here. “We lost there earlier in the season, and then we lost in the Checkatrade Trophy when we made plenty of changes. “We didn’t get off to the best of starts in that game as we conceded so early on, but I just think we are going to be really well prepared. “If the lads can be what they have been for the majority of the season, then I feel we can come away with a really good result on Saturday and we will all be celebrating. “That’s what we want. We want to keep plugging away and keep the momentum building.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Matt Tootle has urged Notts County to have "fire in the belly and ice in the mind" when they face Mansfield Town on Saturday. The two Nottinghamshire teams are high up in the League Two table and will lock horns at Meadow Lane for points and bragging rights. “When I was younger it always stuck with me that you should have fire in your belly and ice in your mind,” Tootle told the Nottingham Post. “I’ve always stuck by that and no matter what the atmosphere is in the stands, you have to take yourself out of that situation. “It’s just another game and you’ve got to keep your head. I’ve always been good at that and you hope everyone else does the same. “Saturday is going to be a great advert for League Two and for us to both be in the mix is fantastic.” Should Tootle score against the Stags, or in subsequent games, he suggested that his famous slug celebration might not be wheeled out. “I don’t want the slug to be something that I do every time because it will get boring otherwise,” he said. “I want to do other things. No matter what, I will point at myself and give it the big one. “But I don’t think I will be doing the slug again unless it’s two years until I score. “I did not expect the slug to go down like it did, but it’s just a bit of fun. It gets noticed and people think I am a bit mad for doing it. “But the next celebration could be the dinosaur. I will put some time and thought into it. “Myself and Elliott Hewitt did have one based on Magnet and Steel from Max and Paddy. But I will keep everyone updated.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

So the big match is upon us. Notts County against Mansfield Town. And you know what, I’m sick of losing to these lot. It really is getting annoying. It’s fair to say our record against Mansfield really isn’t the best. This century, in the league, we’ve played them 14 times, winning once, drawing five and losing eight times. Notts haven’t beaten Mansfield in the league since September 2005, a 3-2 win at Field Mill with a late winner courtesy of Glynn Hurst. However, after seven years apart in different divisions, both of these two returned to playing each other in 2015-16. It was not a good season for Notts. The first home game of the season saw us lose the Nottinghamshire derby 2-0. However, it’s the reverse fixture that makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons for Notts. A 5-0 defeat. A defeat, which summed up the Ray Trew era. A lack of fight, effort and passion. Notts were 1-0 down at half time and in the second half went to 3-5-2 and went for it in hope of getting back into the game. Sadly, it didn’t work and once the second went in, Notts gave up. A lot changed that summer. Players, manager, board members. Notts returned to Field Mill on October 8th and lost again. A 3-1 defeat in a game, which I summed up as being an absolute joke. John Sheridan said it how it was ‘we lost to two deflections and a penalty.’ A lot of things still annoy me about that game. We should have been 3-0 up at half time. Jonathan Forte missed a one-on-one chance, Jon Stead hit the post, and also had another good chance. Alex Rodman equalised in the 82nd minute but I knew something controversial was coming. You could just sense it. It was. Mansfield were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute for what most would call ‘a 50-50’ but Matt Tootle took so long to clear the ball. They scored a 3rd in the 93rd minute as well. In the reverse fixture on January 14th, Notts halted a run of 10 successive losses in Kevin Nolan’s first game in charge, with the game finishing 0-0. Mansfield were in good form coming into that game but Notts held firm. = In fairness, nothing much really happened in that game. Ben Whiteman came close to scoring with a deflected effort, which was well saved by Adam Collin. Michael O’Connor came close for Notts in the second half. In the 90th minute, a shot by Mansfield was saved by Collin and cleared by Carl Dickinson in a moment where my heart skipped a beat. The 3-1 defeat earlier this season again showed a lack of fight in which we crumbled under the pressure. Stead missed an easy chance from close range and Danny Rose starred as Mansfield ran out winners yet again. Form coming into this game has never been important. The four games in which Notts have lost against them, they have had the better form coming into each one. The 0-0 draw in January was the only time in which Mansfield had the better form coming into the derby. There is a slight theory behind this game too, as every time there has been a Tuesday night fixture preceding the derby, Mansfield have won. 2015/16 (0-2) Huddersfield 1-2 Notts, Sheff Wed 4-1 Mansfield – Notts lost the derby 2015/16 (5-0) Notts 1-0 Hartlepool - Notts lost the derby 2016/17 (3-1) Rochdale 2-1 Notts, Port Vale 0-1 Mansfield - Notts lost the derby 2017/18 (3-1) Exeter 0-3 Notts, Cheltenham 3-0 Mansfield - Notts lost the derby Notts have looked brilliant recently and I have the feeling this could the game in which we end the derby curse. Richard Duffy has said about how the players had a talk during the rot they were going through on how to turn it around. He also said they are now doing what they were doing when they were doing at the start of the season. I’ve also had friends who are Mansfield fans messaging me saying that the style of play since David Flitcroft came in has got worse. Danny Rose and Alex MacDonald have been two players who played well under Steve Evans but haven’t done so far under Flitcroft. This game is also massive for the promotion race. A Notts win and promotion is in their own hands with 8 games to go. A Mansfield win and they are right back in it with a game in hand. A draw is no good for either team and only hands the advantage to Wycombe and a recently resurgent Coventry. Notts must win to retain their advantage in the promotion race and finally end our awful record in this fixture. A last word to the fans. We cannot be outsung like last time. Players thrive off the support and it could make all the difference come Saturday. We cannot be outsung. Share your thoughts about this opinion article on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.

Kevin Nolan is looking forward to Saturday's League Two derby between Notts County and Mansfield Town but warns that the opposition are "no mugs". Both sides are in the hunt for automatic promotion this season, with the Magpies hoping to make it four games unbeaten, deal a big blow to a direct promotion contender, and claim regional bragging rights. Although the game will be the first Nottinghamshire derby for new Stags manager David Flitcroft, Nolan is still mindful of their strong squad and will treat them with respect. “It’s going to be really tough for us because Mansfield have got a fantastic squad, team and all of that,” he told the Nottingham Post. “They are no mugs and we know that. We will respect them like we always do and if you do that, you give yourselves a good chance of getting a result. "We are really looking forward to it.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Richard Duffy has stressed that Notts County's weekend meeting with Mansfield Town will bring "a totally different kind of pressure". The two Nottinghamshire rivals will lock horns at Meadow Lane early on Saturday afternoon, both eager to get three points to boost their automatic promotion ambitions. Last time they faced off in Nottingham, Kevin Nolan had just taken over at County as he set about trying to stave off relegation from League Two. “You look and read things like any normal person. You can’t look too far ahead because it will bite you on the bum,” he told the Nottingham Post. “Mansfield is the next game. Beating them is our aim. “It’s a different kind of pressure than when we last played them here. I think we were bottom (they were second bottom) when Mansfield came to town, but we picked up a valuable point. “It’s a totally different kind of pressure now. We were facing pressure not to fall out the Football League as the oldest league club. It’s different pressure now, but it’s a nice pressure. “It’s a big occasion for both sets of fans. We’re big rivals and we’re both looking for the three points bearing in my mind where we both sit in the table. We’re both looking to get in that top three at the end of the 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County and Mansfield Town will contest the Matt Salmon Trophy when they face off at Meadow Lane on Saturday. Matt, who died last May aged just 25 after a long battle with cancer, had a work experience spell in the medical department at Meadow Lane before spending three-and-a-half years with the Stags as academy physio. Both sides competed for the trophy in the reverse fixture at Field Mill in September, with Mansfield winning on that occasion, and the fixture at the Lane will be the final time the trophy will be at stake. Notts also announced that Matt's family will be welcomed into hospitality for the League Two match, which kicks off at 1pm, while a number of his friends will be in the stands. Notts chairman and owner Alan Hardy told the official club site: “We saw in the reverse fixture how loved and respected Matt was by people from both clubs. “He left such a positive impression on all who knew him and we’re proud to once again be remembering him by competing for a trophy named in his honour. “This serves as a timely reminder that football – as important as it is to us – is not the be all and end all. "We look forward to having his family here with us and paying our respects to such a popular young man.” Mansfield CEO Carolyn Radford told the Stags site: "We all know of the fierce rivalry between Mansfield Town and Notts County, but this is an instance in which both clubs are united to remember someone who was genuine, hard-working and warm-hearted. "I know Matt would have been really touched by the outpouring of love from the football community and we thank Notts County and their chairman Alan Hardy for remembering Matt with us in this way. "As a family club, we were all devastated to learn of Matt's passing last year and his wife and family remain in our thoughts and prayers." 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 boss Kevin Nolan has been nominated for November's League Two manager of the Month award. The 35-year-old, who won the award in September, is in the running again after an impressive month in which the Magpies remained unbeaten in the league and took eight points from 12. Wins over Cheltenham Town and Colchester United kept County's unbeaten home record intact so far this season, while on the road, they claimed draws against Yeovil Town and Stevenage. Steve Evans of Mansfield Town is also in the running for the gong after leading the Stags to an unbeaten month, taking 10 points from a possible 12. And in a nomination hat-trick for the East Midlands, Chesterfield's manager has also been named among the candidates, Jack Lester taking eight points from four games to help his side get within touching distance of safety. The fourth manager in the running is Nathan Jones of Luton Town for having claimed 10 points from the month's four league games and seen his side score 14 goals in the process. Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has praised Notts County summer signings Callum Saunders and Elliot Hodge, suggesting that they are both players who can get crowds excited. Both players, brought in at Meadow Lane with a view to development, played in the Magpies' 2-1 defeat to Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. “I thought they did really well and I was really pleased with both of them,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “Callum led the line well and ran the channels which is what he is all about. “He was probably a little bit unlucky not to get a few more chances but he will get better the more and more he does it. “Elliot did really well especially in the first half. He did lots of good things and when you’ve got two lads who are hungry, decent, and they’ve got pace, it excites the crowds. “I was delighted with them and they should be pleased with how they performed.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has urged his players not to feel sorry for themselves after losing to Mansfield Town in midweek ahead of Saturday's League Two game with Newport County. A much-changed Magpies outfit fell to a 2-1 defeat against the Stags on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy. With a league game now on the horizon, Nolan has rallied his troops and urged them to bounce back from the midweek defeat. “I want the players to react in the right way to Tuesday, I don’t want them to feel sorry for themselves,” he told the Nottingham Post. “I want them to show what I believe they can do. I believe in them and I believe they could have done a lot better which is why I was so disappointed with what I saw. “The best thing about having Saturday, Tuesday, fixtures is that you don’t have to wait long for another game. “But I was able to give some of the lads some exposure who haven’t had many minutes this season while obviously giving the lads who have been playing a rest. “I am really looking forward to Newport 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has backed Alan Smith to score even more goals for Notts County after opening his account for the club on Tuesday night. The 36-year-old, who played as a striker early in his career, equalised for the Magpies in the EFL Trophy meeting with Mansfield Town, although the Stags went on to win 2-1 at Meadow Lane. Despite the defeat, Nolan was full of praise for Smith and backed him to chip in with more goals, even if he acknowledges he's not going to be regularly playing full games. “I thought Smudger was great and you are going to get that from him every time he plays,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “He loves the game and still has that hunger, but unfortunately his legs don’t let him get to 90 minutes as much as he would like them to do. “But he was brilliant and took his goal really well. That’s what you expect when you put him up there because he’s done it all his career. “I’ve told him he will be a forward and I am expecting him to come up with a couple of goals here and there.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has expressed his frustration with how cheaply Notts County gave goals away in Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat to Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy. The Magpies fell behind in the first minute when a mistake by Haydn Hollis was seized upon by Lee Angol, who drilled home from range. Although Alan Smith drew the hosts level, the Stags struck a winner when Branislav Pindroch punched a cross into the path of CJ Hamilton, who chested the ball down and converted from 15 yards. “I am very frustrated and disappointed because of how cheaply we gave goals away,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “There were a lot of good individual performances, but we just weren’t at the level where we need to be. “We have lots of work to do and I was disappointed in the manner Mansfield won. “There wasn’t much in it and I don’t think they deserved to win the game, but I don’t think we did anything to deserve the win either.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County remain second in Group G of the EFL Trophy following their 2-1 defeat against Mansfield Town at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night. Both Kevin Nolan and Steve Evans made 10 changes to each of their squads with a view to checking out how the fringe players performed. The Magpies were hit with an early sucker punch, however, as a mistake from Haydn Hollis allowed Lee Angol to claim the ball and rifle into the bottom corner goal from 20 yards out, beating the diving Branislav Pindroch. Mansfield could have had a second a few minutes later, with the unmarked Paul Digby heading goalwards from a corner, only for the Slovakian keeper to claw the ball out on the line. Notts soon found their groove and weighed in with a number of chances, though there was another scare midway through the first half when former Magpie Jimmy Spencer struck the woodwork. The ball rebounded to Angol, who had an open goal to fire into, only for Shaun Brisley to weigh in with an impressive last-ditch tackle. Nolan's side went on to find an equaliser through a short corner which was crossed by Liam Walker to the back post, flicked back into the centre by Brisley, and poked home by Alan Smith. The second half saw more chances traded between both teams, but with Notts stepping it up a gear, they were once again caught out by a Stags goal courtesy of poor work at the back. Paul Anderson's cross, rather than being firmly claimed by Pindroch, was half-heartedly punched away into the path of CJ Hamilton. The 22-year-old controlled with his chest before smashing a right-footed effort into the roof of the net from 14 yards to seal victory for the visitors. Share your thoughts about this match report on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans has confirmed that he will make wholesale changes for tonight's EFL Trophy clash at Notts County as he played down the importance of the competition. While Notts boss Kevin Nolan has stressed that he is taking the competition seriously, the Mansfield boss admitted that he was more concerned about their League Two game with Exeter City at the weekend. "We want to go there and represent our football club with some pride, but at the same time, I'm just honest with our supporters," Evans told the official Stags site. "I watch managers around this Checkatrade and they blag it that they're going to be at full strength and then make nine changes, and suchlike. We will make significant changes tomorrow night. "We'll go there and people will see how committed we are, as we always are as a management team, from the first ball to the last ball. "By the same token, we've got four games in the space of 14 days now; Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday, and they're big games. The Exeter and Shaw Lane games are big games. "I watch managers around this Checkatrade and they blag it that they're going to be at full strength and then make nine changes, and suchlike. We will make significant changes tomorrow night. "We're going to give players an opportunity to step up and be in the team on Saturday. Go and be a real top performer against Notts County and you'll probably start against Exeter. "We've got three or four that are desperate to play, that want to get in the starting line-up on a regular basis and they've got a fantastic platform at Notts County tomorrow night. "It's more important to have a freshness about our team against Exeter than [getting] anything against Notts County." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.