I consumed quite a bit of alcohol over the Christmas and New Year period (as you do) so on 2nd January I decided enough was enough and stopped drinking any form of alcohol. It was going so well, it didn't bother me at all until today. Mrs. H. cooked a lovely trout for our tea, it was poached in a butter/wine and garlic sauce and I just really really fancied a nice glass of white wine with it but I didn't give in and had a glass of cola instead. Now I think I might be going off the rails and will cave in tomorrow when we have a curry, I love a glass of beer with my curry.

Am I an alcoholic?

Or today.. depending on when your reading this. The date we're talking about is 21st January.

I'll be honest, I'm pretty bored tonight. I noticed that today (20th) it is 7 years since Notts won 5-2 at home to Torquay, in what was my last game before we moved from Nottingham. It remains one of my favourite ever games, can't believe it was that long ago!

The thought got me thinking about how well we might have done in the past on the 21st January, looking for a pottentially positive omen for the game at Peterborough as it where. Surprisingly, the omen's are quite good!

You have to go right back to 1978 for the last time Notts were beaten on 21st January, when they went down 3-1 to Southampton at The Dell, Mick Vinter grabbing the Notts goal. Since then we've done quite well on this day:

21st January 1984 (First Division) - Arsenal 1-1 Notts County - scorer: John Chiedozie

21st January 1986 (Third Division) - Brentford 1-1 Notts County - scorer: David Hunt

21st January 1988 (Third Divison) - Notts County 3-1 Northampton Town - scorers: Ian McParland x2 & Mark Draper

21st January 1995 (Second Divison) - Sunderland 1-2 Notts County - scorers: Gary Lund & Rob Matthews

21st January 2003 (Third Divison) - Notts County 3-2 Stockport County - scorers: Mark Stallard, Paul Heffernan & Darren Caskey

21st January 2006 (League Two) - Notts County 2-1 Shrewsbury Town - scorers: David Pipe & Kelvin Wilson

21st January 2012 (League One - Notts County 1-1 MK Dons - scorer: Jeff Hughes

We'll tane any positive omen we can at Notts County COYP

If enough people are interested, I might look to do something like this for every matchday

Television by Roald Dahl

The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set --
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotised by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink --
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES!
'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say,
'But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!'
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rat and Mr. Mole-
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks-
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something to read.
And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.

Birmingham have confirmed that youngster Reece Hales has joined Notts County on trial.

The 18-year-old will train with the Sky Bet League One club on a short-term basis to help with his development.

Hales, who recently had a loan spell in non-league football with Worcester City, has made one appearance for Blues' first team, coming on as a late substitute in the FA Cup third-round tie with Leeds one year ago.

Looks more the development signing but you never know, anyone know much about him?

This gif says it all really:

Did anyone see this story about a father who was fined £600 for taking his kids out of school to go on holiday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2540054/People-make-laws-dont-live-real-world-Anger-father-fined-600-taking-three-children-school-weeks-holiday-Greece.html

When our two boys were at school we regularly took them out of school for the week before the May half term holiday so we had two weeks including the half term week. Almost every year we went to France camping, the lads loved it, they had all sorts of experiences in a foreign country, ate different food, saw historic sites, learned about the world war 1 & 2 battlefields, they learned a little of the language, made friends with French children on the campsites and even got invited back to French kids tents and caravans for meals etc., thereby learning a little of how the French live and how it is different to how we live. We used to sort of make it an extension to their education much more than sitting in a classroom being taught French or history etc., It was only one week out of their school lives but it enabled us to have a cheaper holiday than would normally be possible and them to gain from the experience.

What do others think about this, would you take your kids out of school to go on holiday?

I was wondering, other than football does anyone have any interests in any other sports?

I personally keep up to date with snooker, F1 and cricket.

But my main passions are WWE and motorcycle racing. I used to go to a lot of race meetings but they are so blooming expensive now, its ridiculous. We want to take Harry to one though before he's too old. He likes the crashes, its great when your a kid and don't understand the injury's that can be involved

This is such a bad picture joke but for some reason I just keep laughing.

This Saturday's fixtures:
Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday

Millwall v Ipswich Town

Gillingham v Swindon Town

Walsall v Brentford

Cheltenham Town v Accrington Stanley

Southend United v Chesterfield

Arquin gone to Scotland for a trial with Ross County.

Both Charlton lads gone back to parent club.

Might leave us short a left back, meaning Sheenan back to LB?

Also no mention of Fozzie leaving yet. What a shame!

NOTTS County will not be extending Morgan Fox's loan at Meadow Lane.

The Wales Under 21 left-back has returned to Championship club Charlton Athletic after a five-week loan at Meadow Lane.

And Magpies boss Shaun Derry says he will not be coming back.

Striker Yoann Arquin could also be on his way out of the club, having been on trial at Ross County.

The 25-year-old has not played for Notts since mid-November and was also a spectator as the Scottish Premier League side beat St Johnstone 1-0 on home soil last Saturday.

Charlton Under 21 captain Bradley Jordan has also gone back to The Valley with Fox, having joined Notts on loan deadline day at the end of November.

Midfielder Jordan did not play a play for the Magpies, but Fox played seven times, making six starts.

He also scored the first goal of his professional career as Notts beat Colchester United 4-0 in League One in mid-December and helped them to three league wins.

"It was very hard for them to adapt to the level we are at, not so much Fox, but Bradley," said Derry.

"Bradley came in and perhaps wanted to play a bigger part than he did.

"What I would say is – and fair credit to them – they came with a freshness and an attitude that really helped us as a group.

"As much as there was disappointment from Bradley's angle, I'm hoping he will go away better for the experience of being out of his comfort zone and for Fox he came in and played in three wins so that's great for him.

"He'll want to get out on loan again, but we're looking at different options."

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Notts-County-extending-Morgan-Fox-s-loan-Meadow/story-20413178-detail/story.html#ixzz2po9YI88V

... tonight, for the first time in the league since November, 2013. Just our luck, eh? Should we be worried about Saturday's game?

By far one of the most enjoyable months - We've witnessed PoN flourish and many new members arrive. I am hopeful that those who continue to 'voice' our community - we see the benefits in the long run because with each contribution we attract additional interest and a Fan Site can only grow with the support we have seen.

Firstly I want to thank each and everyone who not only nominated 3 members but also took the time to vote. A big 'Thank You!'

Please take time to congratulate December's MotM - LiamPie!

Well Done mate! No doubt this wasn't an easy choice but as always you do a lot to help us. I think it shows you how much of a part you're on PoN to have been voted and mentioned by so many of the community.

I'd like to briefly thank the other 5 runners up, please continue and keep up the great work! A special mention to Joe Jone's who nearly took this month's award, you do a lot of writing for us and general help - Thanks for being a big part of this site, without your hard work we wouldn't have so much to read or enjoy.

Next month's will be fun! hehe

Taken from David Jackson's twitter a short while ago. 

No mention of Mac yet though.

As an aside, how do you paste in the actual tweet with the pic etc?

I have to admit upfront I wasn't looking forward to it 100%, I actually thought it wouldn't be as good but even I enjoyed it.



For children this is great family entertainment, I don't think I would go with just Kate because part of the reason why I liked it was because it was nice to be together but it was very funny. I got sprayed with a water pistol!!!

The majority of the front few rows got it but for me, right in my face! Luckily it wasn't so bad, this poor women on the right side of me had it sprayed at her until she commented back! LOL - Also, the bad guy kept making comments about Notts. He even mentioned after saying the giants fridge was empty that he believes a couple of Notts fans were in the freezer!! When he heard a few boo's he asked 'Why, does anyone here support Notts County'.

Que me to shout 'Yes, we do! YYYYOOOOOOOOUUUU PIESSSSSSSS!' lol

This leaves me to say, have you been to a playhouse panto?

I was really hoping that we would get both these players till the end of the season but it's looking ever more likely that McGregor won't be rejoining us. I have to say I am really pleased to be getting one out of the two (both would have been fantastic) credit to SD and the club for securing Grealish but out of the two I would have preferred we got McGregor I feel he is much more the finished article and we will certainly miss his goals.

I fear that Grealish will suffer with his form if McGregor doesn't rejoin us because they played so well together and fed off each other.

What do others think?

Hi @hambo staggie, welcome to Pride of Nottingham.

It's nice to see you've joined us! Although the site is quite big, once you get used to the site it will be get easier. I hope you like what you see however, it's great to see more joining us. Really trying to build a strong community here and it be great for you to be apart of it.

Interesting nickname, I thought you might be a stag fan

All the best,

Welcome @Canadian magpie!

Believe it or not we're being taken over by Canadian Magpies! though I really like to see this, more fans means more people to enjoy the site and to be apart of it. Interesting that Canada seems to be very popular with our fans, would you mind me asking how long you have lived over there and supported Notts?

Welcome to the community! Glad to see you join us. YOU PIES!

Does anybody on here watch non-league football and if so which teams.

Mine are Heanor Town and Matlock Town.

Isn't it great when you wake up in the morning and know there is something to be really happy about but can't remember what.

That's what happened to me this morning and then I remembered that Notts have won their third game on the trot and were up to 16th in the league, oh joy!

It's funny how a few football results can change your whole outlook on life (some would say its sad). I have lots of things to be happy about in life and I have some that make me really sad so it's good to feel like this for a short while, let's hope it lasts.

How is everyone else today?

Alfreton have secured the signing of Notts old boy Shaun Harrard. Who remembers him?

Welcome @iansloan1862, Nice to see you join us here at Pride of Nottingham.

Would you care to tell us a little about yourself? No problem if you prefer not to, it's just nice to get to know the community a little. Hopefully you like what you see and I look forward to seeing your contributions. See you around the site!

The gods are smiling on us!!!!!

Notts County Football Club can confirm that striker Yoann Arquin has joined Scottish Premier League outfit Ross County on a free transfer.

Read more at http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/yoann-arquin-joins-ross-county-1296633.aspx#bc4y8cehx3fMOEea.99

I've just been thinking, I actually tuned out briefly thinking about the hopes I had early on for this fan site. Along the way (for some reason) opposition fans joined us - It started with Shrewsbury fans, who quickly adopted the title 'Resident'. I genuinely find it enjoyable seeing them around and although some haven't visited for awhile, when they do it makes my day.

It's quite special seeing so many down to earth fans, none are what you find on general football forums.

Despite some actually coming from them! I guess it shows how nice the community here can be.

Shrewsbury - @shrewswill @friendlyshrew
Walsall - @sadlad
Rotherham - @BradtheMiller
Swindon Town - @medievalmickey
Manchester United - @SteveMUP @Zomaian

Technically and Additionally....

Derby County - @super_ram

Please if you notice anyone missed off let me know - If this happens to be you, sorry..

I work with a load of Derby fans and the say that McGregor is going to Derby with Bryson going the other way.