I was just having a nosey around the site and luckily noticed that yesterday was  the birthday of a most valued member. So I hope you had a great day,@tonyhateley,   Happy belated birthday. Sorry I didn't notice in time.

The seedings were announced today, and Notts County are classed as a seeded Northern team. We can only play an unseeded Northern team in round 1, so we can draw any of the following teams:

Accrington Stanley

Bradford City

Burton Albion

Bury

Carlisle United

Chesterfield

Fleetwood Town

Hartlepool United

Mansfield Town

Morecambe

Oldham Athletic

Port Vale

Preston North End

Rochdale

Rotherham United

Scunthorpe United

Shrewsbury Town

York City

I bet Chris Kiwomya is praying we dont get Hartlepool after what happened to our last two managers following games against Hartlepool

Who does everyone fancy then? Most people in facebook and Twitter seem to fancy a game against Mansfield. I suppose you just hope for a home game really, or if we have to travel hope we dont have to travel too far.

Derby County are also seeded so they can get any of those teams listed, anyone in particular you fancy @super_ram?

Was at Notts this morning and saw Mahon there in his training kit, I thought he was leaving to the club he went on loan to?

I've just watched Chris Kiwomya's interview on Magpie Player rounding up pre-season so far, and he spoke about a few players:

Mahon had no concrete offers on the table from anyone else. He wants to keep his fitness up so for the time being he's training with Notts and will join the squad on the pre-season trip to Finland. As will Krystian Pearce. Pearce may still have a future at the club, but it will all come down to finances - weather or not we can afford to keep him on but Kiwomya was pleased with the way Pearce played when he came in for the final couple of games at the end of last season.

Joss Labadie has agreed to sign a new contract in principle, theres just 1 little detail thats he's srting out himself and he should be signed up soon, so nothing really to worry about on that front. He is keen to stay at the cub

Yoann Arquin has signed a 1 year extension although he's away on International duty currently, playing for Martinique in the CONCACAF Gold Cup (main tournament for teams in North & Central America, and the Carribbean). He wont be going to Finland, and we dont know when he'll link up with the squad as it depends on how far Martinique get in the competition. The final is at the end of July.

Alan Sheehan has left his options open but has done well in pre-season. The club are yet to sit down with Alan to discuss things.

And finally, some of you may have heard that we had a trialist from Arbroath. Kiwomya has dismissed this as untrue, replying with "well thats news to me!"

Thought I'd share these bits of information on here for those who dont have Magpie Player

I've seen a couple of messages regarding who our new captain is or will be, it seems everyone is saying Dean Leacock is our new captain. I haven't checked the official site, neither have I checked facebook or twitter.

It's not who I would give it too.

Yet, now with those who remain in our squad. I am not sure who aside from Dean and Gary Liddle, who would make a good captain. Mahon would have been a good call, if he was younger and likely to play more often. I don't like when keepers become captain, so this rules out Bart. Zoko, too quiet.. I feel like I'm missing someone obvious!

Happy Birthday Mate @Joe Jones!

I know I posted on FB but it's not the same, we're a community and so here. Please take time wish Joe a belated happy birthday! The jammy bugger is away at the moment. Last time we spoke (on Facebook) he was on a boat over the Amsterdam harbour, enjoying the good life.

Come back soon! We miss ya!

are we going to sign some players????

I'm getting bored, I want to talk about football, come on Notts. give us something to talk about even if its a moan.

Was it Martin Luther King who said that? No I think he said "I have a dream" anyway I digress.

I was playing football on the wing for Notts County, I think I was supposed to be Stevie Carter (anyone remember him). Notts were playing Derby at home, we got a corner and I had to take it, I floated a lovely ball into the box and someone rose majestically into the air and nodded it against the post, this was one of several near misses in the dream. The ball was cleared and went back up the field to the other goal where a goal was scored, I was feeling pig sick until a realised that we had actually changed ends at half time and I had taken the corner at the wrong end so the goal that was scored was in fact for us!

What a mixed up dream it was, the Derby fans were more intent on running around trying to find some Notts fans to fight with, I bet Super Ram was there somewhere.

Anyway I thought I would share that with you, I don't always remember my dreams but this made me smile when I woke up.

It's been very quiet on here today, in fact totally silent. Where is everyone? have you all hibernated? I don't blame you if you have. Tomorrow is Midsummers Day, though there doesn't seem to be much summer weather about and the nights are getting longer again.

Perhaps the coming week will give us all something to discuss. Hello... Anyone there?

Surprised there's no mention of this on here yet, unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

Notts County will travel to Brammel Lane to face Sheffield United on the opening day of the season as part of a group of special games announced by the Footbal League today to celebrate their 125th anniverary. The six games announced today are all of signifficance to the football league.

They are:

Championship:

Derby County v Blackburn Rovers (Founder Member v Founder Member)

Burnley v Bolton Wanderers (Founder Member v Founder Member)

League One
Preston North End v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Founder Member v Founder Member)
Sheffield United v Notts County (Oldest Ground v Oldest Club)

League Two
Newport County v Accrington Stanley (Newest Member v Founder Member)

Rochdale v Hartlepool United (Most played game in the football league)

I think this is a really good idea from the football league to celebrate the 125th anniversary, nice to see them actually putting some thought into something!

The rest of the fixtures will be announced tommorow.

Exciting game to begin the season for us. Hopefully the Dorset Pies will be able to make the trip

Mick Jones has returned to Notts County to take up the role as Chris Kiwomya's assistant manager. Mick was Neil Warnock's assistant manager when we won back-to-bacl promotions to the old first division, and he also had success as a player with Notts in the early 70s.

He's got bags of experience and that can only be helpful for our young manager

Welcome home Mick!

Fixtures Here

Opener Sheffield United - (Quite excited about this)

Then we have Peterborough, Walsall, Stevenage and then Rotherham United.

I'll only miss The Millers game, though I'm quite upbeat. We have two tough first few games, though once we have these out the way and hopefully some points gained, it might work to our favour. I've read some comments about the fixture listing being 'awkward' and I respect these opinions, though to me it's fairly well scaled.

I can't wait to get back to the Lane! Thoughts?

Well here I am in Noja on the northern coast of Spain. We had a lovely calm crossing on the ferry, it was 24 hours on board so plenty of time to explore the boat. Our cabin was right at the front with a window that looked out over the bow of the boat. Son and family were a few doors down.

The boat was lovely with plenty of bars, a restaurant and even a small pool!

After disembarking at Bilbao we set off to Noja which was about 45 minutes drive. The campsite is massive with a couple of swimming pools, bar, restaurant and adjacent to a beautiful beach. We quickly set up camp with our motorhome and went off to find son and family who have the luxury of a 6 berth static.

Son and I went shopping for supplies to last us a couple of days and came back with lots of wine and beer but not much else! So got sent back by the women for some food too.

We decided to have a BBQ, after starting it going muggins here was in charge and the heavens opened with a torrential downpour and thunderstorm. Luckily i managed to put the big sun umbrella over the BBQ and stood under that to keep dry much to the amusement of the family in the static.

We had a nice meal and put the kids to bed and enjoyed a board game before retiring back to our van for the night.

Still cloudy this morning and more rain forecast. :-(

To be continued.........

I actually just watched interviews with the youth players who just signed their pro contracts on Magpie Player - Romello Nangle, Kyle Dixon and Malachi Lavelle-Moore. I'm so impressed with these guys. They ooze enthusiasm and positivity. They're really motivated to work hard, full of ambition and they all seem genuinally chuffed to bits to have signed a pro contract and have the chance to play for Notts County - their local team. They've all grown up in Nottingham and all come from Notts County supporting families.

The future looks bright with these guys. At times last season I really felt like some players werent trying their best. You can accept losing to a better team, but when the other team beats you just by wanting it more (preston at home springs to mind) it is very hard to accept. I cant see these guys ever being short on motivation!

The young lads that played ina  few games towards the end of last season all seemed to do really well, I was certainly very impressed with what I saw of Greg Tempest at Swindon and Bournemouth, and Hayden Hollis at Crawley. Thats the only time I've seen them in the flesh.

I see Jim Rodwell also said in his #AskRodwell chatroom on the website earlier that Joss Labadie has essentially agreed to sign a contract, he just needs to actually sign it. He dosent however expect Alan Sheehan to stay which is sad, but we wish him all the very best wherever he goes.

Jim also mentioned that we are hoping to announce a few signings in due course, its just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's.

Youth is the way forwards for a club like us. Bring on the 2013-14 season. COYP

So, I can't really say I volunteered but on the 14th of next month. I will be a Marshall for the J&J to Derby and back fundraiser, today I were shown the route and surrounding area. It's quite exciting, yet I wished I was able to take part. I was a little disappointed originally, as I wanted to help.

I was advised not to take part, I actually thought I might be up for the challenge but my physio (probably thought I was nuts) and firmly told me I shouldn't.

Anyway, I ended up looking at the statue at Pride Park and a little of the stadium.

And I think to myself - what am I doing here?!?! No seriously, It's amazing. I like the stadium but I have to say, that I like Traditional stands and from the clubs whom have moved away from these. Derby, for me is one of the only clubs who have done so successfully. The design is stunning and it's nice to learn that they included apart of the old stadium.

Sorry Super Ram, I don't like the shirt! The shorts look nice but I wonder why your sponsor is so high up on the shirt.. Nice to see Rammy (the single ram) return, though I was surprised to learn it was returned in 2012. I thought you still had the circle badge! Love the single ram.

Our first pre-season games were officially announced today, the squad will be going on a pre-season trip to Finland.

Full story from the OS here:

Notts County have confirmed that they will be travelling to Finland as part of their pre-season preparations next month, ahead of the start of the 2013.14 campaign...

Seems about right don't you think?

Playing with a broken neck though, wow! I'm guessing that was not actually diagnosed till after the game otherwise he would have been dragged off the pitch. Then again they would play on no matter what in those days

Former Notts County player who sadly passed away recently at the age of 79.

Story from the OS:

The club were saddened to hear the news of the death of former player Don Roby...

That many appearances is pretty impressive for the time, sounds like he was a good player and great servant to the club. R.I.P Don - thoughts are with his family and friends

Both rumoured to be joining Notts. Cofie has been released by Man Utd.

I would like to urge all members to read weymouthPIE's latest BLOG.

I think it sums up what all us football fans put ourselves through each season with whichever team we support.

I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I did.

Does anyone have any holiday or weekend break plans for this year (no need to write when)?

Are you going abroad or staying in this country? and How do you like to spend the time away from home?

We know Tony has gone away on a trip to spain, but it would be interesting to hear about other peoples plans.

Good, positive, experience for the youngsters. I hope they grasp this, as it could go along way. It will be exciting to see our youngsters get out and about, hope they enjoy the pre-season 2014/15. We never know, they might get used to visiting other European cities. Great stuff!
 

The Notts County Academy have been awarded funding for a cultural exchange next summer...

The Notts County Academy have been awarded over 55,500 Euros after applying for funding from the Leonardo da Vinci programme and will be travelling abroad to Europe as part of a cultural exchange in the summer of 2014.

 

The funding, which is available for all clubs and youth programmes, will be used to help the team and staff travel abroad for pre-season ahead of the 2014.15 campaign. 

 

Each year three clubs are selected from the Football League, by the League Football Education (LFE).

 

The Academy has taken huge strides since its reintroduction four years ago and they can boast a number of achievements that helped secure this funding including:

 

- 100% pass rate of all the scholars completing their ASE education programme

- 16 players coming through to feature for the First Team 

- 7 professional contracts

- 2 LFE scholar of the month awards presented to Fabian Spiess (April 2012) and Haydn Hollis (November 2010) 

 

Academy Manager Mick Leonard told the Official Site of his delight after securing such a large amount: 

 

“I am hugely pleased about this news.  It took me by surprise. I had to re-read the sum a few times to get my head around it! It will only enhance the programme as we go forward. 

“After seeing other clubs successfully go through the process and looking at ourselves, I thought we were well deserving of that after our progress in the past three, four years. 

 

“We deserve the reward after so much hard work to get the programme back on its feet since the dark days of administration, where the whole programme was closed. 

 

“I put together an application which initially wasn’t accepted, despite showcasing how far we have come in such a short space of time. I now believe we are up there as one of the best Academies at our level. 

 

“We came very close to securing a deal, but we got there finally thanks to the help of the LFE after they saw how well we have developed over the years and we got the great news about the grant.

 

“LFE Project Manager Dan Jolley and Project Assistant Sarah Stonehouse in particular worked tirelessly to secure the funding and I’d like to thank them for their help.

 

“We now have something fantastic to look forward to and the lads who get to go on the trip will learn a lot about the culture of that country and also get to use excellent facilities.

 

“Other English clubs have travelled to places such as Holland in recent years and it will all help with their education and also improve them as players.”

COYP! Thoughts?

@weymouthPIE @MuddyPatchPie @super_ram @liampie @upthepies @tonyhateley

There are bound to be lots of things going on at Notts County this coming two weeks or so, high profile signings, takeovers etc., it always happens when I go on holiday. We are away on Tuesday for two weeks in sunny (I hope) Spain in our camper van, every time I go away things start to happen.

I particularly remember one year we were abroad and I got a text from my son saying that some billionaire Arabs had bought Notts County, I thought he was having a joke but he insisted it was true, I couldn't believe I was away and missing all the fun. It was of course the beginning of Munto fiasco and we all know how that ended up.

So I am expecting big things while I am away, hopefully they will all be good.

Anybody going to bother with tonights England match v Brazil?