Dallas has signed for L1 Barnsley. 

Quite a strange move for me that, both for club and player. Has had 2 or 3 very good seasons at NL level, scoring 1 in 2, but had previously failed at L2 level so there was always a question mark there.

Seemed inevitable that Dallas would get another chance at the Football League, however had expected that to be at L2 level. You have to hope it goes well for him and he doesn't end up a bench warmer and out on loan in January.

No Jesse Debrah at @ARLukomski? Are there any players you would add to the list now that have not been signed by anyone?

I am surprised not to see a few of the signings we have made within the list, but keeping a recruitment document sounds like a fun activity.

It’s good to see that Adam Chicksen is aware of the challenges that Notts will face in League Two, whilst actively working to improve and adapt to the higher level of competition. The addition of new signings with EFL experience will certainly help the team in their transition to the fourth-tier. It’s also interesting to hear Chicksen’s thoughts on the increased level of “smart” players in higher leagues and how the team must continue to evolve and improve to stay competitive. It seems like Notts County is taking the right steps to ensure their success in League Two, and I’m excited to see how we will perform this season. 

The quality of the opposition helps. I think it will benefit players from outside the football league and youth players. It won't benefit experienced players or those close to their potential as much, but that's normal. There are still many players who show signs of growth, which is encouraging.

I hope Adam Chicksen is right. We need to see the defence tighten up a bit more, but I am confident that the club has goals in them. We just need to balance it a bit more, but the article is a good read. Very detailed; David Jackson has done well with them.

Sad news, rest in peace Trevor Francis.  

RIP Trevor Francis, he brought some good times to Nottingham.

Before my time, but I have heard the stories of what he did for those across the river. It's very sad.

It's sad news, when I heard about Trevor Francis's passing I couldn't quite take it in. Rest in Peace.

I've spent the close season doing things with my mum we've been on the embankment  today. Had days out with a friend who's retired had a trip to Burton Trent and Belper was very nice. Lunch out with another friend ex workmate. Few trips too, Meadow Lane and a trip out to Alfreton last night. Awaiting the start of the new season back where Notts belong in the EFL. COYP

As for work and here, the close season didn’t seem long because of Wembley. It’s a good thing because it keeps that promotion feeling alive. It also helped Notts because we went straight into recruiting and so far, it’s been spot on yet again. We are making a lot more positive signings, players of quality that fit in and are of the age to improve further, plus the experience of David McGoldrick.

Once last season ended, I couldn’t wait for this campaign to begin. Now that all the pre-season friendlies are over, it’s just a week away, and it’s all I’ve been thinking about.

@Fozzy First of all, I said phenotypically, so you're point about genotype means nothing. 

Secondly, as previously, studies show that a year on HRT makes the only advantage a 9% faster mean run speed, and this decreases over time.

Finally, and most importantly, advantages have never been banned in sports, so why start now? Noone banned Usain Bolt because his height gave him an unfair advantage, and I'm sure we can agree that would be ridiculous. So why trans women?

17 hours ago, George L said:

Secondly, as previously, studies show that a year on HRT makes the only advantage a 9% faster mean run speed, and this decreases over time.

So at least you are admitting that HRT does not remove all of the advantage of being a genetic male.

17 hours ago, George L said:

Finally, and most importantly, advantages have never been banned in sports, so why start now? Noone banned Usain Bolt because his height gave him an unfair advantage, and I'm sure we can agree that would be ridiculous. So why trans women?

Usain Bolt is one of the greatest Olympians ever in my eyes, stick him on HRT for three years and he would have blown away the women’s field by a greater percentage marker than the men.

Whilst talking about HRT, it does not reduce muscle mass to anywhere near the same level as a woman and does not reduce bone mass. Men’s bones are stronger naturally, so who is most likely to come off physically worse in a 50/50 tackle? 
The Usain Bolt analogy you used is great as it also highlights the fact that men have longer limbs than women, this will give them an unfair advantage when it comes to sports involving throwing as we all know that in physics a longer arm can generate greater velocity. Men also have the advantage of naturally being able to move their shoulders and hips separately at great speed, if you watch women in sport, a lot seem to struggle with this. That’s why tall male golfers can drive a ball far greater distances than a woman, the fastest male cricketers can bowl 20 mph quicker than a woman, and similar differences with male and female baseball pitchers. One of my all time favourite athletes, Fatima Whitbread threw the javelin over 70m, but she was still over 20m down on the men.

In cycling a man with longer legs would be able to create more leverage which would lead to greater velocity.

They would have a physical height and limb advantage at sports like basketball and volleyball.

The advantages of being a post puberty male are incredible compared to a post puberty female and no amount of HRT will make things totally equal and that is why I’m against genetic males competing in female sport.

I will finally add that obviously I have no objections to trans males and females competing in sports where women already compete on equal terms with men.

This is an emotive debate that has been blown out of all proportion and often excludes the very people who are actually involved. Over the last 100-odd years, a grand total of one trans woman has taken part in the Olympics. She finished last.

As for Quinn, a few people need to read up on them - they were born a woman and are evidently not transitioning medically (as testosterone would be deemed performance enhancing). Physically they're still female, so there's no obvious reason to exclude them. But by the same token, I don't really see why this is groundbreaking. 

Sports are full of people with a physical advantage in one way or another, so the question of what would constitute an unfair physical advantage and what would fall within the norm is a complex one. Sports associations generally lack the expertise to judge this on a case-by-case basis. Generally, many trans women do retain an advantage with height and skeletal structure. However, trans people need to be able to participate in sports on an amateur level at least, and any ban on them taking part in sports in school (!) would simply be cruel and vindictive. 

Personally, I hope Sochaux can resolve this issue. I hate seeing football clubs suffer.

Looks like they've been saved thankfully. The grandson of the founder is taking over

Thanks @ARLukomski on the "road" to recovery 

I tried to read the opening of the article, but I couldn’t make it out clearly. It’s a good photo by @Dan.

It’s good to see Notts back in the Non-League paper, but without being Non-League standard.  They positively praise Notts, which is unlike BT Sports until they changed their minds.

Good spread by the Non-League paper; they still love us!

While I don’t believe Alfreton performed exceptionally well, I wouldn’t describe them as “poor”. I believe the quality displayed by Notts made it challenging for them. Alfreton could have been more adept with the ball, but it was evident that the training Notts had undergone paid off. We pressed and were eager to regain possession, and the team delivered a fantastic performance. Macaulay Langstaff seemed likely to score given our direct passes to him, and David McGoldrick’s outstanding effort was a joy to behold.

The game was very good. Notts played in such a way that they struggled, and credit to Alfreton, they acknowledged how good of a team we were. I don’t think they had much chance to get going because we wanted the ball so much. It’s difficult to defend, and what made it worse for Alfreton is that we fielded such a strong squad with the intention of giving them longer in the game.

The performance of Notts was one of determination, but I wouldn’t criticise Alfreton too much. We are two levels above them and played direct football against the best of the National League, which other teams in the same league struggled with. Alfreton have made a fair few signings, so I would take more note of how Notts played.

I think Cisse and Gill looked quality. It’s clear the club has high hopes for Cisse. He looks like he could be given time in League Two and thrive with it. However, I wouldn’t rush him. There must be several of them with high hopes, so I hope we can get the most out of them all.

It may be premature to delve into this topic, yet the youngsters truly left a lasting impression on me. Those who participated in the Nuneaton friendly during the second half displayed remarkable stability.

Cisse does look classy, he did well against Nuneaton, Stoke and Forest. I think he has a bright future, but I haven't seen enough of many of them.

I will add, I want to support the B team and if anyone here plans to do the same, please let me know, and maybe we can catch up. It would be good to go support the younger lads etc.

if i was luke williams, i would have cisse on the bench for most of the games and give him runs out. allow him to get minutes and experience this season, so he can be more useful and a bigger part of the team in the next two seasons after this one.

Matt Redmile left Notts to go join Shrewsbury Town.

There’s some great links being posted, keep them coming. 

Steve Cotterill

Luke Rogers

Matt Tootle

They would be better off focusing on teams that aren’t aware they essentially just want the clicks, rather than the reads. Their antics at the start of the transfer window, with all their speculation and ‘sources’, revealed them to be opportunists. Some of their writers might be fine, but I don’t trust them.

Never heard of the 72 but just read the article. I seriously doubt that Halifax did not offer Debrah a contract, so he would not be a free transfer as he is under the age of 24. Would take him in a heartbeat and he would definitely get the game time. LW tends to rest his more dynamic players and doesn’t tinker around so much with the back line unless forced to by drop of form or injury. I’d have no doubt that Debrah would play 40 plus games if fit and in form.
The one issue is that he is taking a very long time to make up his mind and has missed a lot of pre season, so would definitely not walk straight into our side as Williams always tend to drip feed new signings into our lineups.

I don’t see either player signing for Notts. I think both will end up signing for a League One club. I would be surprised if Jesse Debrah decided to remain lower than that.

I’m not a season ticket holder, but I will watch whatever games the club streams online for us exile fans overseas. I am very much looking forward to this. If you are able to make the games, with it being our first season back and the club requiring boosts to the funds, go and support the club in the league and cup games.

i hope we get a good crowd for the grimsby game, the lincoln match will be lower and i have not decided if i will be going to that. i might have plans.

Notts needs to get as many fans to the Grimsby Town game as humanly possible. It’s a big return for Notts and with it being our first goal, I hope the KOP is electric. I would like nothing more than to get a good attendance and result. Their fans do my head in. They suffer from what I like to call the "big club syndrome".

Michael Doyle should do well in his role; good luck to him.

Good luck to Michael Doyle, it’s a bit of a step back for someone who wanted to be an assistant manager, but a good opportunity to move forward.

Michael Doyle is a good option for the role. I wished he had managed to find a role at Notts, but after his departure for FGR, some fans might be inclined to feel differently. Personally, I think he’s a good coach.

Those are awesome cakes.  

My weekend was just catching up following travelling up to Lancaster for my daughter's graduation (and clearing her room!!).

It’s been too warm and humid, even when it isn’t sunny, so I haven’t had much chance to do anything. I have my air conditioning on even overnight because it’s that warm. Texas can be like this, with the heat being unbearable. Even when it rains, it doesn’t provide any relief. It’s just one of those things you have to endure, but it has been making me feel very tired.

@Ohh Tommy Johnson Congratulations to your daughter, you must be very proud!

8 hours ago, AmericanPie said:

It’s been too warm and humid, even when it isn’t sunny, so I haven’t had much chance to do anything. I have my air conditioning on even overnight because it’s that warm. Texas can be like this, with the heat being unbearable. Even when it rains, it doesn’t provide any relief. It’s just one of those things you have to endure, but it has been making me feel very tired.

@Ohh Tommy Johnson Congratulations to your daughter, you must be very proud!

I certainly am!!

I wasn’t at the match, but it seems like Boston heavily marked our players to the point where three or so of them were going in to clear the ball away from us. Domination is a good thing, even if we only won by one goal. It’s another valuable insight ahead of the upcoming season.

I wasn't at the game either, but listening to Lukes post match talk I gathered they parked the bus as per Yeovil. 

Having a run out to Alfreton tonight.  COYP.

Boston sounded like a very good test. It deserves credit to shut out a team that plays good football, and it says a lot about both teams. Winning 1-0 isn’t a bad thing at all. The fact that we managed to score is the positive part, along with the relentless pushing for the scoring opportunity. It could have easily led to frustration and a lapse in concentration, resulting in them having fewer chances on goal but claiming the win.

It doesn’t bother me, but I can appreciate and understand how it affects people who might be unable to go. That frustration is something we will get used to again, now that we are in the football league.

Salford City is just like MK Dons to me. Neither are people’s football teams, but at least they came through the league system and earned their place.

Having Manchester United legends as owners will always enable connections to get decisions changed in their favour. But instead of crying about it, we need to use it to win and still sell-out, giving our team the full support.

The season hasn’t yet begun and the EFL is allowing Salford to play on a Friday because Manchester United is at home. Will they rearrange every game where this happens? It should be called out for what it is: simply unacceptable.

I am glad to see so many young scholars sign deals; it looks like we are investing in youngsters’ futures, and I will be watching out to give my support to the B team.

The more options there are, the higher the chance that one of them will make the grade. I am hopeful that this will be the generation that starts to progress from the academy, through the youth ranks to the first team. It’s exciting to see them signing new deals with the club, and the brief glimpses of them during pre-season are encouraging for the future.

This is good news. Eventually, Notts will have homegrown players within the team if they keep pushing for it to happen. The club is in the right environment now to start making these changes and include pathways for them to progress in and around the first team. I hope the Notts academy becomes the crown jewel of our club.

On 09/07/2023 at 09:40, Super_Danny_Allsopp said:

I don't think it was necessary the drinks selection that was the main issue.

In the Kop, the issue is mainly the waiting time. You have to leave by 35 minutes and drink very quickly to have any chance of seeing the start of the second half. A secondary issue is the fact that the beer they serve you is piss-warm. 

This is simply the club attempting to secure the most favourable deal for themselves in order to maximise profits. Once this agreement concludes, we will likely return to Carlsberg or another sponsor. The club has a history of switching sponsors whenever the contract is up for renewal.

I don’t have a problem with this because I assume it will offer different varieties in certain parts of the ground, and nobody has to drink Carling.

This has no bearing on me, but it’s still interesting and some of the comments made me laugh. Are Carling that disliked that people would rather drink urine? I’m sure they do some things that are nice. Whether or not the club sells them, I don’t know. It can’t all be lager though.

Best Signing: Jodi Jones
Highest Goal Scorer: Macaulay Langstaff
Most Improved Player of the Season: Tobi
Most Starts in the Season: Matt Palmer
Best partnership between two players: Adam Chicksen and David McGoldrick

Best Signing: Jodi Jones

Highest Goal Scorer: Macaulay Langstaff 

Most Improved Player of the Season: Cedwyn Scott 

Most Starts in the Season: Matt Palmer 

Best partnership between two players: Macaulay Langstaff and David McGoldrick 

Best Signing: David McGoldrick
Highest Goal Scorer: Macaulay Langstaff
Most Improved Player of the Season: Richard Brindley
Most Starts in the Season: John Bostock
Best partnership between two players: John Bostock and David McGoldrick

I have seen clubs in the past make changes after signing a player and therefore had to reimburse fans for their purchases due to the numbers changing. It's happened more than once, so I think we've been lucky because I have seen a fair amount of shirts with Bostock on the back.

That said, I think most fans wouldn't mind.

Both players seem to be happy switching numbers, hopefully nobody else changes from here, or it could become confusing.

I wonder why the club didn’t make the change when the numbers were first announced. I think that’s the story here.

I can understand the concerns over the shirts being printed on Notts shirts, but I don’t think it’s that much of an issue. I would guess that John Bostock asked for the lower number, but at least both players seem happy.

A colleague of mine who is a fan said that Tipton looked very promising - a ball-playing defender with pace who puts in extra effort to compensate for any shortcomings. I can't say whether it's a potential loan or permanent signing, but a young centre-back could help now and join the squad as he gains more experience.

I haven’t seen much feedback about Tipton or Claxton. Both players sound promising, and I have nothing against a young CB. It just means they’ll need time to settle into the team and may make the odd mistake, which is something everyone does. Fans need to remember that they probably made mistakes when starting a new job too.

What has happened to Ollie Tipton and Nathan Claxton? I have checked the reports published on the official site, but there’s no mention of them since.

I always felt like there was a good player in Joss Labadie; it just needed a good manager to get it out and for him to control his frustration better. It wasn’t just the biting incident, but the constant needless fouls he gave away. I wish him all the best at Solihull Moors; I do hope he enjoys some more success in his career.

Joss Labadie should do well with them. It’s good to see him making a move to a local club near where he’s from. I wish him all the success with the club, as it would be nice to see them reach the playoffs and beat Chesterfield.

I don’t remember much about Joss Labadie at Notts, but I do recall the biting incident and some other things about him receiving red cards. Hopefully, he has matured and is ready to help Solihull Moors.

It’s good to have the CEO all sorted and on board. Joe Palmer sounds like a candidate who can move the role forward. I hope he’s here for many years to come, as having settled staff can only be a good thing. Welcome to Meadow Lane, Joe!

It’s excellent to see that Notts has appointed a new CEO. I am hopeful that he can hit the ground running and make the club a place where staff want to be. The more enjoyable the behind-the-scenes environment is, the more likely it is that good staff members won’t leave. Although he has big shoes to fill, I think he will do just fine.

I think he will slowly settle in and then introduce himself. I don’t think he or the club should force it, and I don’t think the media team will, out of respect for Jason Turner. But eventually, we will know more. Hopefully, he can do a great job and network well to improve the current state of the club.

I didn’t think it was all that funny. I thought it was a publicity stunt or a disgruntled former player. I very much dislike seeing people going to the extreme.

As the poster above said, this could be handled with the police and if that doesn’t get anywhere, go to the media. Don’t turn a football pitch into Wacky Races by throwing flyers straight onto the pitch’s surface.

If it’s harassment, it will be dealt with. If it’s more, then a journalist will probably take it upon themselves to find out the truth.

It’s all just chaos and terrible. Some people are becoming bigger and bigger idiots, even if the intentions are true. It’s still stupid.

The stunt will put a lot of eyes on the message that they were trying to reveal, and that is probably why they did it, but it’s just madness. I do hope charges are issued, but at the same time, the claims made on the flyers need to be looked into properly too. Remember, the police are quite known for turning a blind eye to child abuse if it makes them look bad.

Callum McGregor has done superbly; I am glad he has enjoyed success at Celtic and that he managed to avoid being sold. I think he is a player that has put his own mark on the club, and watching him play with his smile brings back memories of him here.

.It will be some time before we see a loanee with the talent he had at such a young age. The same goes for Jack Grealish. It’s amazing that we had them both. I’m pleased with how Callum’s career has progressed; he’s matured into a fantastic player.

It was a joy to see Callum McGregor play for Notts, his journey has been nothing short of amazing. His time at Celtic didn’t always look like he would become the player he is now, but credit to him for persisting and proving that he was worth a start. It’s difficult to see them without him now, much like it is with Liverpool in the absence of Steven Gerrard.