So the first game of the season may be a while away but who dose people think County will get on the opening day and will it be a home or away tie.

Leicester youngster Sam Hughes linked. Signed from Chester before 17-18 season. Would be a quality signing at this level. Solid centre back at a young age but Foxes want to send him to a League One club.

Cuthbert released by Luton at the end of the season. Would be another solid signing. 

Apparently the club want to bring him back on loan. For me he would have to start as we need a centre-back who is more composed on the ball. 

This week we’ve been looking after our two grandsons while mum and dad go on a cruise (alright for some innit?) Anyway we’ve been taking them to school and various activities, tonight the youngest went to swimming club and the eldest to Taekwondo we dropped him off and left him there.

When I went to pick him up I was a bit early and had to wait so I was watching the proceedings with interest, the class is taken by a gent who I estimate to be in his fifties and I couldn’t believe the moves he was doing, some of the sideways kicks above his head I winced at, I swear if I tried it I’d put my hip out! Of course the youngsters were great they are supple at that age but I was seriously impressed with Master Bradshaw which my grandson informs me is the proper way to address him. It’s a good job his surname wasn’t Bates. Master Bates, no? Oh please yourself. 

As I’ve said on here previously I was gutted that I had a pre booked camping event this weekend that just happened to fall the same weekend as Notts were in the playoffs (something I didn’t envisage when I booked the event).

I skipped the evenings entertainment on site and walked one and a half miles in the pouring rain to the pub with a couple of friends (one of whom was a Coventry fan) to watch the match.

We got some good seats in view of a large screen and was pleased to see the match build up being shown, got our drinks in (Doombar before you ask @super_ram ) and settled down to watch the match.

The pub was more like a youth club and was very rowdy being in the centre of town but we had no problems until the 65th minute when the disco started which was just to the side of the huge screen, this made the already noisy pub absolutely deafening with loud music booming out, on top of that the DJ started pumping out smoke and scantily clad teenage girls started dancing in front of the screen which made it rather difficult to concentrate on the match which we could hardly see through the smoke.

Not to be beaten we found another screen in the huge pub and carried on watching the match, on the 80th minute I went to the toilet, when I came back the TV had been turned over to the boxing match and my Coventry supporting mate was frantically trying to ract the Batman’s attention at a crowded bar to get it switched back to football.

Eventually the match came back and we got to watch the end, we managed to fight our way through the dancing girls at the booming disco and got outside to encounter a brawl between youth trying to get in the pub and bouncers on the door. We trudged our way back in the now torrential rain to the campsite along an unlit main road with huge lorries thundering past us walking on the narrow pavement. As if we weren’t wet enough the traffic was splashing through the by now huge puddles and wetting us through even more.

The things you do to watch a match.

Updated version from the start of the season

I've included Grant because he's basically been our player since January 2017

I'm hoping to continue to build bridges for PON during 2018, there's many people I know that could make such a huge or significant impact with this community and I'm personally hoping I can welcome them back.

Some might not, that's just the way things are but I have to try.

I must add that I am delighted to see @Fan of Big Tone and @hissingdwarf back here and, with newer members such as @UnitedPie and @ARLukomski - I know the community has people who can help me drive it forward. I've messaged a few people recently, some I have been putting off but today after Notts released the retained list - I felt inspired to go for it.

I ask all PON members who read this, write why you enjoy the site and let's see if we coax some people back or welcome other new people to our community.

Just when we were all bracing ourselves for yet another trophy for Bayern, something delightful and unexpected happens. Recommended viewing (hope the video works in the UK).

This was Eintracht's first trophy in 30 years, so understandably there were absolute scenes!

What the video doesn't show is that fact that the referee consulted VAR twice. Once for Eintracht's second goal, as Bayern claimed a handball in the build-up. That was given as Kevin Prince Boateng attempted to move his hand away from the ball. Then the second time when Bayern claimed a penalty with the score at 2-1, which again wasn't given although Boateng (again) clearly took out Bayern's Martinez instead of the ball. No that I'm complaining  Eintracht then broke from the subsequent corner and scored the third with the last kick of the match - great stuff 

After the match the Bayern players and management through a massive mardy and disappeared without acknowledging the fans and before the trophy was presented. Only Manuel Neuer (to his credit) stayed to acknowledge the winners.

Just looked in the app for the shopping list and this popped up...

I assume Ben has done this. Need to sit down with him and have serious words about his choices !!!

So you have been asked to manage a Notts County Dream Team  past and present Notts County players against a Nottingham forest Dream team. You are allowed to pick 11 player to start and 6 players for the beach and the bench must contain i goalkeeper who would you pick.? 

Ok...so (for my sins, maybe!) I'm a 48-year Supporter of this club. I go 'way back' to a time when you could stand on the Kop terraces and have a convo with your mates in the Lane, end, during play!

We attended 'pea soup' night matches and (understandably) if you were close enough to see/recognise a lino/Ref's 'mistake'; then you excused them/it, simply because of the 'conditions' at the time.

This past Season, however, we've all watched what I consider to be some VERY UNFAIR and proper DOOZIES - from both linesmen and Ref's - that I'd go as far as to say, have a) cost us a Top Three/automatic place/promotion; in addition to (guesstimate) an additional 10 - 15 points that wrongful, abysmal, dire and not-fit-for-purpose calls, have robbed us of! (Not least (as beautifully explained in another article here, by Joe) the recently televised play-off's against CCFC, have demonstrated just how (many) wrong decisions, over two matches, turn EVERYTHING around!

I've heard the 'moans' - mostly from opponents and those who wish us ill-will - that KN, AH, all of us, who witness it and complain, weekly, should "just get over it, that's football"; but my questions now, in 2018 (not the 70's) are:-

1.   Should we expect less-than totally professional and CORRECT decisions from officials - part-time or otherwise?

2.   Should the FA and EFL be doing 'more' to ensure 'fairness' in football?

3.   With NO/NOT ONE/NONE of the Officials at the World Cup from the UK, is this downturn something we should be accepting of?

4.   Is the 'answer' for each Club to offer to pay for training/continuous 'education'/wages of officials (obvs not to officiates at their 'home clubs' games)?

5.   Are you happy to pay to watch 'more of the same' in the coming Season?

6.   What do you think should be done to change the situation?

Which retained players would make your team?

We can assume that the players offered contract will extend their stay, so it will be out of the following players.

Lewis Alessandra
Shaun Brisley
Terry Hawkridge
Elliott Hewitt
Noor Husin
Liam Noble
Jon Stead
Matt Tootle
--
Pierce Bird
Richard Duffy
Ross Fitzsimons
Dan Jones
Michael O'Connor
Branislav Pindroch

Well here it is folks...

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/retainedlist

Under contract

Lewis Alessandra
Shaun Brisley
Terry Hawkridge
Elliott Hewitt
Noor Husin
Liam Noble
Jon Stead
Matt Tootle

Out of contract, offered new contract

Pierce Bird
Richard Duffy
Ross Fitzsimons
Dan Jones
Michael O'Connor
Branislav Pindroch

Out of contract, released

Shola Ameobi
Adam Collin
Carl Dickinson
Mike Edwards
Jonathan Forte
Elliot Hodge
Nicky Hunt
Rob Milsom
Callum Saunders
Alan Smith
Curtis Thompson

Loans expired

Mason Bennett
Jorge Grant
Ben Hall
Matty Virtue

Apprentices offered development contracts

Harry Bugg
Remaye Campbell
Declan Dunn
Alex Howes
Sam Osborne

Apprentices released

Dominic Brown-Hill
Peter Dearle
Ryan Ebanks
Curtis Hall
Jordon Richards
Joe Searson-Smithard
Edwin Towers

If you like the above songs feel free to discuss and click 'like'.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De5d1kiXnNY

My old Canadian friends

So on Saturday 26 May the Champions League final takes place, with an English team taking part for the first time since 2012 (when Chelsea won it).

The previous four years, Spanish teams have dominated proceedings - Barcelona and Real Madrid claiming all four trophies, with Atletico Madrid making it an all-Spanish final on two occasions.

Only Juventus have broken the Spanish stranglehold but both times they were heavily beaten by the El Clasico duo.

Atletico Madrid have won the Europa League this year - will the Spanish capital lay claim to both European trophies this year?

Or will Liverpool do what they did in Istanbul in 2005 and upset the odds?

Let's get your thoughts!

who do you fancy to win the world cup?

i think brazil are looking quite strong, i think they will make the final. argentina and germany also look pretty good for their money, so i think it will be between these three nations.

If anyone was thinking of moving their energy supply to a Nottingham company called Iresa, I've one word of advice for you.

DON'T

I moved to them a year ago from British Gas because at the time it was the cheapest deal, the move went through with no problems, everything was fine until the end of my contract when they put the price up, I started looking round for a cheaper supplier and found Bulb so I initiated a switch which should have been easy....nope. Bulb duly requested the switch but it was denied because "there was an outstanding debt" I couldn't understand this as the money is taken direct debit, so contact Iresa and told them just to take the money as normal, no reply, I tried to phone, after spending 40 minutes on the phone listening to horrible music I gave up. Finally after a couple of weeks of putting support tickets in on the website the objection was lifted and the gas supply was switched but the electric still had outstanding debt according to them, once again I put in a support ticket to tell them to just take the money that was owed by direct debit, then I had two DD's go out of my account one for the normal monthly amount and another significant amount, so I thought that was the money owed I tried to switch the electric again but it was denied again. By this time I was a raging bull and tried phoning again after what seemed a lifetime they answered and after I'd given them both barrels they finally lifted the objection and the switch will go through.

Looking online at my bills I believe I have paid too much God only knows when and if I will ever get it back, that's probably another battle I will have to fight.

So please, for your own sanity don't switch to Iresa, looking online at reviews they are awful, it's not just me someone said it was like the Hotel California you can never leave. 

Anyone who has an interest in Middle Eastern life and politics (as I do) I can highly recommend Tyrant from the American channel FX.

superb drama and a revealing look at middle eastern countries.

It is actually a few years old now and it’s shocking how close it has come to the truth when you look at Syria now.

With the release of Adam Collins and the new contract offer to Ross Fitzsimons will he be Notts County’s new number 1

Did anyone watch it way back when it was on TV? I used to enjoy watching it, as did my family. @super_ram used to chuckle his head off, but there's nothing like this on these days.

I know after ours stopped the show carried on in Australia (which is equally as funny).

Anywho, I'll share this video of Mark Dolan's top five moments.

Michael Petrasso, who had a bright loan spell at Notts County in the 2014-15 season, has found himself having a bit of a spat with Zlatan "Humble" Ibrahimovic.

The former QPR man is now at Montreal Impact and, during a game with LA Galaxy, he stepped on Zlatan's foot, and the big Swede retaliates with a clip round the ear, followed by a comical, synchronised going to ground between the two.

Petrasso was booked, but the Lion God or whatever he calls himself nowadays... sent off!

Alan Hardy posted a message of thanks to us fans following the end of the 2017-18 league campaign on the official website.

Quote

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us throughout the campaign.

Unfortunately there was to be no fairytale ending and, given some of the refereeing decisions we were subjected to over the course of our play-off semi-final tie, perhaps it simply wasn’t meant to be.

When the dust settles, we will be able to look back on an amazing season of progression on and off the field, culminating in a breathtaking occasion which attracted a record crowd this century.

It’s difficult to put into words the level of pride I felt looking around the stadium ahead of kick-off last night. Nearly every seat was filled and there was a terrific atmosphere swirling around Meadow Lane.

We are all united in our desire to have more nights like that and with your continued backing, I’m sure we will.

While the players will now have some well-deserved time off with their friends and family, behind the scenes the hard work begins straightaway to ensure we continue on our upward curve.

As always, I will keep you informed of the latest developments in our exciting journey.

Thank you once again.

Alan

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2018/may/chairman-end-of-season-message/

What would be your message to the club be in terms of this past season and going forward?

What other stadium or hospitality or general improvements would you like to see Alan Hardy make at medow Lane.?

He has not had the chance to get into the first team! Wish him all the best! Be a really good addition to a lower league two club. So far PON i think this retained list is going well. Thoughts?

I like him and always thought he gave his all to County I’m sad to see him leave.