Notts County have played at Meadow Lane for over 100 years, but the more history-keen among you will know the Magpies used to have a bit more of a nomadic existence in its early, early days.

One of its more stable homes prior to the Lane was Trent Bridge, best known for being the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and also hosting plenty of England games.

The Trent Bridge website has posted an incredibly informative and engaging article about the early Notts days at the Bridge, so I encourage all of you to read this (here is the original link).

WHEN TRENT BRIDGE HOSTED NOTTS COUNTY'S FIRST EVER FOOTBALL LEAGUE GAME AND DERBY MATCHES AGAINST FOREST

Trent Bridge is world-renowned as a cricket venue, but what far less people realise is that is has hosted a whole host of Football League matches too.

Indeed, it was at the iconic venue more readily associated with bat on ball than boot on ball that Notts County played their first ever Football League match.

Some 50 years after William Clarke opened the ground for cricket use, the Magpies took on Blackburn Rovers in their first home game of the 1888-89 season on 6 October 1888 and drew 3-3. It followed their first-ever match against Everton at Anfield, where they lost 2-1 on 15 September that same year.

Among the scorers for the hosts that day was Radcliffe-on-Trent-born Harry Daft, who not only went on to win the FA Cup with County in 1894, but he also played for the England national side, as well as some 200 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club between 1885 and 1889, taking 86 wickets and scoring 4,370 runs.

During that period, it was not uncommon for players to appear for Trent Bridge’s resident cricket and football teams. For instance, County’s first season as permanent tenants in 1883-84 – they occasionally played there before then – saw plenty of multi-talented sportsman, as depicted in a photograph of the football team’s FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn (pictured above).

Among those wearing the black and white on that day in a 1-0 defeat were former Nottinghamshire captain John Dixon – of Dixon Gates fame, the entrance to the ground next to the club’s main reception – Herbert Emmitt, who made two first-class cricket appearances in 1884 and William Gunn, who was an international in both sports and the founder of cricket equipment manufacturer Gunn and Moore.

Also in that side were Mordecai Sherwin, who doubled as Notts’ wicket-keeper between 1878 and 1896, Arthur Cursham, who played between 1876 and 1879 and brother Henry Cursham who played twice for the county at cricket, but incredibly, with 24 years between his first and second appearances!

Notts County’s first ever match at Trent Bridge had come back in 1866-67, when a crowd on 2,000 saw a 1-0 win over Sheffield on 14 March secured by a JC Hodges goal. The record books show that the first Nottingham derby match against Forest at the ground was a bit of a disappointment as the game ended 0-0.

The second round FA Cup tie of 1883, however, was much more of a spectacle, certainly those of a Magpies persuasion, as they breezed past their rivals in front of a crowd of 10,000 with a 3-0 victory.

Five years previously, the Club had played their first game under floodlights at the ground, before the Football League days, in November 1878 against Derbyshire.

It followed swiftly after Sheffield United’s became the first team to host a match under artificial light a month-and-a-half earlier and, while the Magpies’ match was deemed a success with a 4,000 crowd in attendance, regular floodlit matches did not become commonplace until the 1950s and 60s because of FA rules.

The first non-playing secretary of Notts County was Edwin Browne, who was also Assistant Secretary of the County Cricket Club, living in accommodation at Trent Bridge where the toilets are now located to the back of the current pavilion.

It was this cross-game link between the two clubs that paved the way for the football club to become tenants and they were still in situ when they received a letter from Nottingham Forest in May 1892 (pictured above) asking for their support to join the Football League, by attending a meeting and voting for their admittance.

Forest’s HS Radford, Honorary Secretary, explained that he was writing to ‘solicit you vote and assistance when the clubs are selected’. As Reds fans will know, the club were successful in that application and started their Football League history in the 1892-93.

The two Nottingham clubs met in Division Two in that inaugural Forest season at that level, with County 3-0 victors at Trent Bridge in front of 15,000, while the newcomers won the return 3-1 – and finished five places above their neighbours in the league.

The Magpies continued to play at Trent Bridge throughout the 1890s and early 1900s, with one of the highlights being promotion from Division Two to Division One as champions at the end of the 1896-97 campaign, beating off the challenge of Newton Heath, now better known, of course, as Manchester United.

Another moment to remember came in 1900-01, when the club attained its highest ever league position of third behind only champions Liverpool – who County beat 2-0 in the FA Cup that year – and second-placed Sunderland.

Notts continued to use Trent Bridge – except for the early and late season match at the City Ground – until the end of the 1910 season, when it was decided by the trustees of Trent Bridge that they would not be renewing the lease of their footballing tenants.

It forced County to move to the Meadow for the start of 1910-11, where they re-erected a stand that was dismantled and then transported over the river from Trent Bridge.

Football is not the only other sport to have been played at Trent Bridge. Others such as hockey, tennis and archery have also been played on the ground – but they are other stories for another day!

Collin 6 First game back and looking a bit rusty in movement, understandably. Probably says a lot about Nolan's view on Pindroch

Hunt 5 We miss Toots in an offensive play sense but Hunt was more disciplined than usual in his defensive duties

Duffy & Brisley , both 7...good positioning and blocking against a Swansea forward line with great movement

Dicko 5.5 Defensively sound though hasn't got the attacking prowess of Jones

Hawkridge 6.5 His effort and defensive covering can get overlooked. he put some good balls in

Noor 6 Glimpses of a player who is comfortable on the ball.

Hewitt 6 Covers the miles. He was lucky with the cross prior to the goal, as the ball was out.

Grant 6.5 Got into good positions and should have converted some of those chances. Unlucky with the free kick

Ameobi 6 Always awkward, set up the goal well for Grant's cross

Stead 7 In a rich vein of form 

As a team, 7.5..... Only around 30 per cent possession but well structured when without the ball. Made it hard for a Swansea team, who individually looked comfortable creating time and space. Particularly, liked Swansea's #6, Mawson

Saturday's Fixtures:
Barnsley v Fulham
Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Portsmouth v Shrewsbury Town
Southend United v Scunthorpe United
Carlisle United v Forest Green Rovers
Morecambe v Mansfield Town

Who was your man of the match for Notts County against Swansea City in the FA Cup?

FA Cup - The Swans (H)

Team: Swansea City

Date: 27/01/18

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Kevin Nolan opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

So Chris did this for League Two so I thought I'd do it for the other leagues

Who's going up and down in League One.

1. Wigan Athletic

2. Blackburn Rovers

Play offs: Bradford City

21. Blackpool

22. Oldham Athletic

23. Rochdale

24. Bury

hello Notts County fans

I'm coming to the County Vs Swansea game and im looking for some fans to interview for youtube as I do a series called "the 92" where I visit every team in the football league talking about their club.

The interview lasts about 2 minutes and my average views are about 100 so not to many people.

Search the groundhopper on youtube to get a taste of some of my videos - suggest to watch Northampton town, AFC Wimbledon or Fulham to get a feeling how these videos will work

If you're interested reply to this message or message me on twitter @groundhopperyt

cheers

On Saturday I was at Gladbach - Augsburg in the Bundesliga. It was the first time I have been at a top level game where the referee was female - Bibiana Steinhaus. She was promoted this season to the top level after a few seasons in division 2. Before the game i was chatting to friends and all were in agreement that they were looking forward to her controlling the game as they rated her as a good ref. Afterwards, I have to say I agree. She got the big decisions right and seemed to like to let strong tackles go if possible, she's not a picky or fussy referee if this game was anything to go by.

The most interesting thing was that I didn't hear any reference to her gender from the crowd, even when disputing her decisions. She was just called 'schiri' (ref). The fact that she is a women didn't seem to matter to crowd, players or coaching staff. In the end you just didn't notice it.

Could this happen in UK? If the reaction from the kop to the referee last night is anything to go by, I very much doubt it. Goodness knows how much more abuse there would have been if the ref had been female. Maybe (hopefully) I'm wrong, but in this country we seem to blame everything on the referee and I fear that a female ref would be an even easier target for the mindless and clueless abuse that abounds at ML at times.

So for the time since the new area at County we have lost two home games back to back normally that wouldn’t be a problem but as the loss at the weekend and now tonight. the chasing pack are licking their lips another slip tonight I’m finding it hard to not panic based on our record in the past. but this is new area I keep telling my self .. so I try to remain positive and calm. I really think tonight’s loss will boot them up the back side as Nolan won’t except it .. let’s hope for a quick recovery and some points on the board.

Who was your man of the match for Notts County against Crawley Town?

Kevin Nolan - 0 - 4-4-2 was working, he should have learned from the Exeter game that 4-5-1 is not the right formation for our squad. I think this is where we lost the game.

Fitzsimons - 0 - He's a good 'keeper, but what was he thinking???  Huge fine needed. If we miss out on something by one point at the end of the season...

Hunt - 5 - Average

Duffy - 6 - Central defenders were too exposed by the absence of Yates and Hewitt in centre midfield. did what he could.

Brisley - 6 - See Duffy

Jones - 5 - a curate's egg of a performance. His pace got us out of jail a couple of times.

Noble - 3 - anonymous

Husin - 3 - where was he supposed to be playing?

Virtue-Thick - 0 - I know where he's on loan from, but he has to realise we don't play in red. Send him back now.

Grant - 6 - more involved than before, looked likely to score or create a goal.

Alessandra - 7 - my MOTM - involved all the time.

Stead - 5 - He's not a lone striker, but did OK in the circumstances, if we ignore the missed sitter. Good player when he has support.

Subs - 5 - brought on too late.

Hodge is only young and it’s only for a month I think the time at Alfreton may help him in his development especially if he gets first team.

Game 27 - Red Devils (H)

Team: Crawley Town

Date: 23/01/18

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Kevin Nolan opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

I speculated within the last PONcast that Kevin Nolan's use of Callum Saunders might have been an effort to see what he can do at this level, just in case the club can't or doesn't sign a striker.

With 2 signings made so far in January (3 if you count Liam Noble) - all these players are midfielders. Matty Virtue replaces Ryan Yates who failed to make Scunthorpe United's bench yesterday. Noor Husin sounds like a very decent signing as there's a lot of praise sorrounding how good he can be, however one area we as supporters have being cry for all season is a striker.

I'm siding more within the 'I don't expect a striker to join', however I hope we do.

Don't get me wrong, I think we could manage but if we desire to improve further and also rival Luton for the title. I think this is the area where the prime focus should have been.

What do you think? Cast your vote and comment below.

So, who do you think will gain promotion?

1st: .......... (Champions)
2nd: .......... (Runners Up)
3rd: .......... (Last Automatic Place)
Play-Off Winners: ..........

Also, who do you think will be doomed to relegation from the Football League?

23rd: ..........
24th: ..........

Let's see who predicts the closest come the end of the season.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/its-my-1-000th-game-and-im-still-addicted-but-i-was-shafted-over-england-9wnklmczf

Confirmation in his own words, that he was poached by Bolton

Name: Meet the Fans 17-18 - Exeter City (21/01/2018)
Category: Meet the Fans
Date Added: 2018-01-21
Submitter: Chris

Pride of Nottingham was at Meadow Lane for Notts County's 2-1 defeat to Exeter City and interviewed several Magpies fans ahead of kickoff.

Questions asked include how Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan have done in their first 12 months, whether Matty Virtue will be a good replacement for Ryan Yates and whether they are happy with the transfer business conducted so far.

If you would like to feature in future Meet the Fans videos, get in touch! Feel free to submit potential questions below and we will look into asking them. 

Be sure to subscribe, share, like and comment - your support is greatly appreciated. 

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Meet the Fans 17-18 - Exeter City (21/01/2018)

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Game 29 - The Grecians (H)

Team: Exeter City

Date: 20/01/18

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Kevin Nolan opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Anyone heard any rumours about potential signings since we are crying out for a striker and centre back but Notts seemed to remain about as active as a turned off TV

Who was your man of the match for Notts County against Exeter City?

Fitzsimons 6 Couldnt do anything with goals conceded

Hunt 5 Sponsors MotM don't make me laugh. Doesnt match Toots for the quality balls delivered. Had a good chance in the 2nd half but shot wide

Hewitt 6 Wonderful challenge to deny a certain goal

Brisley 6 Bruised from a challenge...maybe a doubt for the next game?

Jones 5.5 Got into good forward positions but the final ball found wanting

Husin 5 Non descript debut with too many side balls. Hopefully will become more confident

Virtue 5.5 Yes, there is a defence splitting pass player here but needs more of Gerrard type tenacity. Caught out for Exeter's second

Grant 5.5 More involved from Noble's distribution. Shooting boots off colour today

Noble 6.5 great defensive work at the end of the first half...made things tick in the second

Stead 6 needed support which was lacking in first half...well taken penalty

Alessandra 5 disappointing...needs to make himself available to receive the ball

Saturday's Fixtures:
Norwich City v Sheffield United
Sunderland v Hull City
Northampton Town v MK Dons
Plymouth Argyle v Wigan Athletic
Coventry City v Swindon Town
Yeovil Town v Chesterfield

Ladbrokes have tipped Notts County to continue their sterling work this season and ultimately clinch promotion from League Two.

Describing Kevin Nolan as a "managerial gem", they look at the stats around the Magpies and the players at their disposal (although they may need to update the Ryan Yates bit).

Great to see national sites thinking Notts will go on to great things this season, alongside Sky Sports thinking we'll win the title outright!

http://news.ladbrokes.com/football/league-two/kevin-nolan-and-notts-county-primed-for-league-two-promotion.html

i think its safe to post this now.

next season for notts should be one of those seasons where we will be able to tell just how far kn can take the club. if we fail to continue the success of this season now, at least the squad is not that far from being complete and if we do gain promotion i feel the same applies to establishing ourselves as a decent l1 team.

i think there will just be more offloading than we require which seems interesting even at this point.