I'm reading a book on the FA Cup. Sunderland won the cup in 1973. They were lucky to get past Notts County in Round 3. Notts lead 1-0 at Meadow Lane, thanks to a Les Bradd goal in the 29th minute. Sunderland levelled it on 79 mins but even they will admit that Notts were the better team and should have won the game. Notts lost the replay 2-0 at Roker Park but were in the game right up to the last minute. Match report below. 

I wonder how many times Notts have been knocked out by the eventual winners? 

https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2011/01/07/roker-relives-safc-v-notts-county-fa-cup-3rd-round-replay-1973

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53152416

It's good news, however, I fully expect to see spikes at points so I hope we as a nation try to stay safe. Fans are supposedly going to be allowed back into football stadiums by September.

As much as I want to get back to Meadow Lane, I just hope things go well.

League 2 looking to finish immediately, use points per game and still do playoffs and relegation?

I'm sure we'd be second or third with points per game I read somewhere, so maybe a glimmer of hope as the league below would probably need to jump into line with promotion and relegation spots to balance the leagues out.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52679614

As anyone seen the list of agents fees listed on twitter by Oliver Bayliss... Could someone post them on here please..... 

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/play-off-training-squad-confirmed-030620/

This is really an excellent read:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50289343

At the last few home games at Meadow Lane, a discussion I often had with fans that I know was based around refunds. I know the club has now said that they will refund fans for the remaining 3 home fixtures.

I have always said I wouldn't request a refund, simply because I don't believe the hit should come to the club due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a supporter, I could use the money to put towards my next season ticket but I wouldn't want to take that support away from the club at a time when many are struggling. Will/Have you be claiming your refund?

Anyone else watching Euro 96 relived on ITV? 

I was only 3 years old when the tournament happened, so wouldn't be able to remember much about it. Although, I do know bits about what happened. 

Caught the first game between England and Switzerland on Monday. Currently watching the Netherlands v Scotland game. 

Only one Notts County player played in a World Cup while at the club. Can you name him? I'll give you a clue. It was at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.  

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/may/academy-retained-list-2020/

Our academy retained list has been announced with Tiernan Brooks the only second year scholar to be offered a professional deal.

I don't much about the players but Brooks has been on loan at Lincoln United where their chairman described him as "the best young keeper he'd ever seen" and that "County have got a star in the making and he could well be a regular at Meadow Lane and then bigger clubs in the future". I certainly hope so!

As I was bored, I spent some time reading the excellent Notts County FC and the Birth of Modern Football by Darrin Foss (buy it!) and discovered a bit of a gem.

It was the early 1890s and Notts had recently adopted black and white kits after the Football League had appealed to several clubs to change away from blue to prevent kit clashes. The change doesn't seem to have been popular at first and many club members wanted to see a return to chocolate and blue.

In an early round of the FA Cup, Notts were away to Sunderland while Forest were playing at home to Newcastle East End. Trouble is, both our beloved neighbours and Newcastle played in red. As change kits weren't yet quite "in", there was a bit of a discussion about who should wear red, and Forest were ultimately allowed to wear their home colours as they were the first team to wear red. Luckily for Newcastle many Notts members were in attendance, and thanks to one of them the visitors were able to take to the field resplendent in black and white.

Fast forward a couple of years and East End had become United, with the renamed team formally adopting black and white as their colours. And maybe we had something to do with it too

Heart breaking in a way but his community  show much they care

https://www.dw.com/en/bayern-munichs-jerome-boateng-no-child-is-born-a-racist/a-53674096

https://www.awakenthegreatnesswithin.com/35-inspirational-arsene-wenger-quotes-on-success/

"We live in a society where everybody knows everything and it looks like it is a shame to say I don’t know.” Arsene Wenger

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52192189

An interesting story on BBC website. Perhaps one for @DangerousSausageto add further commentary. Presumably Red Bull Leipzig have taken over as the #1 club.... just really disappointed to see Lokomotive's current crowds of 3k

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/jason-turner-operational-update-080620/

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steve-gibsons-400k-week-keeps-18370909

Anyone on here play Euro Truck Simulator 2?

It's superb and very relaxing, but hugely addictive!

@Chris do you play it? I think you would enjoy it. 

(hoping you do as I know you're a whizz with the graphics and I'm looking to put a new 'skin' on my truck and need someone with the flair for it!

If there is anyone who plays...which VTC are you with?

I am in one, but thinking of starting one from scratch. Designing the website, Instagram, discord, putting staff in place etc...

https://staceywest.net/2019/06/13/would-he-fit-in-now-mick-waitt/

Positivity in this time of need

https://web.archive.org/web/20150327194104/http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/notts-county-sign-cranston-on-short-term-deal-1890375.aspx

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2020/may/29/dominic-cummings-cutout-appears-at-rugby-league-match-in-sydney-australia

I hope one and all will wish @Chris a happy birthday. Difficult though it may be in lockdown, still worth raising a glass if possible!

Happy Birthday mate.