Further to my "Am I mad" thread, the blue car I have decided to have is from a Citroen dealership when we were discussing the deal the salesman asked me my email address for the form he was filling out and because it had magpieman in it he deduced that I was a Notts County fan and pulled a face and said something that sounded like "uurrrgghhh".

"Oh a Notts County fan" says he "I don't think I can do business with you" he added with a cynical smile.

"Why not?" says I, fearing the worst.

"I'm a Stags fan" says he.

"Oh, that's all right, I thought you were going to say you were one of those from over the river" says I.

"Oh God no, I'd rather stick red hot needles in my eyes" says he.

At this we had a good laugh and the deal was struck, actually Stags fans aren't that bad, I got a good deal out of him. Picking the car up on Tuesday.

According to Alan Sheehan on Twitter, our very own Bart Bialkowski has made the league 1 team of the year.

Massive congratulations to him, he's had an outstanding season and is in my opinion one of the top young keepers in the football league. To think we got him for nothing from Southampton is quite remarkable.

Congratulations Bart, throughly deserved!

This report from the Daily Mirror. If this is at all true it is absolutely disgusting and the club have done the right thing in getting rid of the two people concerned in my opinion.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notts County racism storm: Two coaches quit as the club investigates
allegations made by trainees

It was claimed a banana was thrown at one young black player, while racist
comments were also alleged to have been made

Two Notts County coaches have quit the club after allegations of racist
behaviour.
The claims were made by two trainees at the League One side, who made
official complaints.
They were backed up by several other trainees, both black and white.
One of the allegations was that one coach, Brett Adams, had thrown a
banana - with “f*** off†written on it - to a black youth player and then
said: “F*** off and eat it.â€
It was also claimed that Lead Foundation coach Lee Broster walked into a
changing room while the players were listening to rap music and said: “No
wonder you black lads always go around stabbing people when you listen to
music like that.â€
Broster is also alleged to have walked into a room, switched off a light and
said: “Make sure you black lads smile so I can see you.â€
The club launched a full investigation after the protests were made to them
last month.
They found that the black complainants had the backing of their white
colleagues.
In statements, one player claims to have been shocked at what he had
witnessed.
A hearing was convened by the club last week and, after a second hearing on
Friday, the club announced the two coaches had left.
A statement said: “Brett Adams and Lee Broster have resigned from their
positions at the club as Youth Coach and Lead Foundation Coach
respectively.
“We thank them for their service and wish them every success for the
future.â€
Prior to Friday’s hearing, a Notts County spokesman told Mirror Sport:
“Unfortunately, as the questions that you have raised relate to an on-going
employment issue, the club are unable to make any comment on the matter at
the current time.â€

Two meetings were held between the trainees and the club’s HR manager,
Chantelle Gibson, to discuss the allegations, on April 2 and April 18.
In statements, one player expresses his concern that he could be released
for speaking out but is willing to risk it as he feels the treatment he is
receiving is unacceptable.
Ironically, Notts County’s manager, Chris Kiwomya, is black. There is no
suggestion however that he is aware of any of the incidents.
Adams and Broster were unavailable for comment.

I love the new smiley's thanks Joe.

This is a joke that has been passed around, I thought you might find it amusing.

We've been looking to replace our car and the dealer we went to had exactly the right model, spec etc., that I wanted, it was a good price but there was one thing wrong with it so I didn't buy it, can you guess what it was?

I can't help but feel it's becoming more of a joke.

Years ago, I used to watch it every year. Get the family together, sit back and have a laugh (usually at other nations expense). Now, there's some actually good songs but most are poorly performed, at least in my opinion. The last song I enjoyed, were 'We are the Winners of Eurovision' by LT United.

For me this one song, it symbolized the event. It's quite fun, simple but most importantly 'you have to win vote for winners'.

Actually, I laughed my head off and joined in. I think they deserved more votes and credit, yet we all know that nations vote for the neighbouring/friendly nations. What with all the politics in europe!

Personally, I would scrap the contest. It's no longer fun for me and we're getting desperate as a nation to get people to vote for us (almost as bad as Ireland).

I didn't watch it, so I am catching up now but Bonnie Taylor's performance was terrible in my opinion. I honestly thought she had been drinking at first! Her video, when originally announced was pretty good and the lyrics are sound. Very well written song, though her performance is wooden and well quite boring. Thoughts?

What a great achievement for Yeovil to be promoted to the Championship on one of the smallest budgets in our league and very low crowds.

A motorhome friend from Dorset supports them and we have a bit of banter over the internet, I'm just glad I only see him about twice a year at meets, he will be full of it today.

Latest rumour (not sure whether it's true or not) Alan Judge will sign for Derby very soon. Come on Super Ram what have you heard?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that on the same day as David Beckham retires from football Stephen Hunt has also hung up his boots and retired, just shows how short a career football can be.

I thought at one time that he had the makings of a top player and apparently Sven Goran Errickson rated him very highly (but then what does he know?)

Yes its the birthday of Nobby Stiles who was a member of England's 1966 world cup winning side,71 today.Have a good day Nobby.

It's also Nottsjoe's birthday today-

Happy Birthday from Mum And Dad

Enjoy your day!

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my nephew (Joe & Cheekys Son) a 

Happy Birthday!!!

Looking forward to seeing you after school, trouble. Harry has made you a special card all by himself...Plus can't wait for you to get your pressie's off us....Harry chose them ALL so I hope you like them!!!

Exacly a year to the day that Sergio Aguero scored 'that goal' to ****** the title away from Man Utd, Manchester City have sacked Roberto Mancini.

Despite the fact he won one premier league title and one FA Cup in three years at the club I'm not entirely surprised - nothing surprises me in football anymore. Do think they could have waited till the end of the season though, most City fans I know on Twitter seem to be quite gutted about it.

Yet another example of the lack of loyalty and ruthlessness at the top of the game. It dosen't matter how succesfull you are over a period of time, if you have one bad season or half season you will be sacked. Can see City becoming a bit like Chelsea in that sense.

Strong speculation linking Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini with the job

@super_ram might be interested in this.
 

 
It was taken in 1957 when sheep were allowed to graze the pitch to keep it in trim. Then they decided to employ a groundsman.
 
Anyone else have a good caption?
 
Picture courtesy of David McVay's book Notts County Football Club.

http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/quartet-of-youngsters-agree-terms-820007.aspx

This is the future folks, get the youngsters on the pitch.

I was listening to the radio this morning and they had a piece on about social networking and usernames. Gary Birtles was on and was saying that he is being impersonated on facebook and twitter by someone using his name.

This made me think about my username on here and on twitter, I hope the real Tony Hateley doesn't get upset thinking I am impersonating him. I am Tony Hateley on Twitter but don't do much tweeting more reading other tweets and I would never want people to think I am the real Tony, I'm not fit to lick his boots.

 

Sir Alex retires

• Thirteenth league title in 26 years will be his last

• Most successful manager in English football history to become a director of Manchester United FC

NYSE: MANU. Manchester, UK. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of the season, Manchester United announced today.

The most successful manager in English football history will bow out after the West Bromwich Albion game on 19 May and join the football club board.

Announcing his decision to retire, Sir Alex Ferguson said:

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

“It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

“Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

“Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

“I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career"

manutd.com

 

RESPECT to the greatest manager in English football (and maybe more than just in England).

I've never lived a Manchester United season without Ferguson on the bench: I'm 24 years old.

This is a bit shocking news for me as he is pure history and I'm used to see him at MUFC.

He has a statue yet...and he fully deserves that.

RESPECT to the living legend.

RESPECT for the great games with the Juve in the 90s

I'm sure all members will join me in wishing Swindon and MedievalMickey all the best in the play-offs. Good luck mate.

When I post a picture is comes on the forum really small (thumbnail), can anyone tell me how to make it show bigger please?

Congratulations to the team who were written off by most of the so called experts. Once again Man City failed  to produce the goods when it mattered most and Wigan,  in my opinion, were the better team over 90 minutes and deserved to lift the Trophy.Nice to see a 'minnow' win.

We are off for a little jaunt in our camper van, so I might not be around for a while, although I will try to keep in touch via the phone if I can get a signal.

Hoping the weather will continue in the vein of the last few days but the forecast doesn't look good so I might not be sitting on the beach with a knotted hanky on my head. Instead I'll probably be in the local pubs sampling the real ale (jealous Super Ram?).

Behave yourselves while I am away and lets hope we get some good news on the signings front to talk about.

Greg Tempest has today been called up to the Northern Ireland Under 21s squad. Massive cognratulations to him, that's two Northern Irish Internationals we have Greg clearly has something about him, and it just goes to show how much fantastic work is going on at the new Centre of Excellence, or Academy - whatever you want to call it. Great credit has to go to Mick Leanord, Brett Adams and everyone there.

Best of luck Greg!

Black & White fanzine issue 5 will be out I believe on the final day of the season at home to Coventry. This will be the biggest publication yet, and includes an exclusive interview with a certain Lee Hughes!

Pre-orders are now being taken here - http://blackandwhitezine.bigcartel.com/product/issue-5. This link also tells you just some of what's included in issue 5