Morning all, it’s the start of another week, the weather is looking a bit grey but it’s quite warm out there.

I’ve got a bit of watering to do, I’m not a big gardener but we chopped up some tomatoes weeks ago and planted them in tubs, now they are quite big plants and starting to fruit, so I’m hoping to get some nice tomatoes.

After that we’ll have a walk to keep the exercise regime going. Have a great day folks and if you have time let us know what you’re up to this week.

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, @jake008. Not only a fan of Notts but James Bond also?

Tell us something about yourself, if you would.

Well that closes the book on a chapter of our club's history that will hopefully remain unique. What I sometimes thought (but dared not articulate) was that the National League is something you could get nostalgic about, but only once you've left it behind. Now we have, and I'm so relieved all the superb efforts that went into rebuilding the club - and not least the loyalty of the fans - were rewarded.

We started the journey with the shock of an unthinkable relegation, facing liquidation and with a skeleton squad, and end it with a record-breaking team and manager well placed to take the momentum into L2. Along the way we had Neal Ardley steadying the ship, our own PE teacher Ian Burchnall turning us into a force at Meadow Lane, Schmeichel Doyle between the sticks, the likes of Kyle Wootton and Cal Roberts in the black and white and of course JOB, who was there for all of it.

While the club has never been lower, we finished fifth or above every season - Oldham and Scunny fans know it can go very differently, and even Wrexham spent 15 years messing about in the NL. Hopefully these years will be remembered as a springboard for better things to come - Lincoln and Luton have shown the way.

What do you think? And what were your personal highlights and lowlights?

With the Departure of Tiernan Brookes , Lucien Mahovo ,  and Luther Munakandafa being given the opportunity to seek pastures New I would ask is there really any point in Notts having an Academy? If I remember correctly the last player to come through the Ranks at Notts was Curtis Thompson, who played for the Club 83 times over a period from 2011-2018. Since that time despite several youngster showing Promise each just repeatedly get loaned out over and over again, and once their contract is finished, they are let go to carry on the Careers at other Clubs.

Main Case in Point. Tiernan Brookes was with the Club 7 years and in that time was loaned out 7 times. He was described by Lincoln United Chairman Rob Bradley as the Best Young Keeper he'd ever seen. He also covered for Sam Slocombe when Sam was injured and in each of his matches (4) it was declared he was going from Strength to Strength. If (like he should have done) been given a chance in the Notts Goal instead of the Club signing Aiden Stone, Tiernan could well have been the Notts first choice keeper this season.

The Magpies have Now given Ryley Reynolds a 2 year contract, his first Professional Contract I believe. So what's going to happen to him? My Guess he'll play some Pre-Season Games, he may get 1 or 2 Cup appearances then sent out on loan. To "Learn" how to Play the Men's Game.  Then once his contract is finished he'll be allowed to Move On Elsewhere.

So Much for Richard Montague's we want to Encourage Players from the Academy to go on and Play For The First Team. Yeah Right. How can they get a chance to play for the first team if they never get anywhere near the Pitch?  Their Best Hope maybe a place on the Bench. Look at last season the opportunity of a youngster playing along side Jim O'Brien, the wealth of Experience JOB has  could have helped the Kid progress at an incredible rate and they may have been able to, step into Jim's shoes once he'd left the Lane. That's how Academy players improve, not repeatedly sent to different clubs at a lower level. Plus how does this Reflect on the Head of the Academy? He's got all this young Talent and he's convinced they can Do A Job for the Magpies, only to see Players Depart to Pastures New once their contract is up. Truly the Mind Boggles.

Now our Club Captain Macaulay Langstaff has gone to Millwall, is it a foregone conclusion that Matt will become Club Captain?

I wonder who Notts will choose for Vice Captain if Matt gets the job?

Could it go to one of the new players Notts have signed?

Ok before anybody starts getting Hot Under The Collar. This is My Opinion and it may be Vastly Different from yours . If you Agree with me or Not these are things I've Noticed about  the Notts Head Coach. Somethings I have Mentioned in other comments on the PON Site.

Stuart Maynard, I'm still Not Convinced he is the Right Man to Lead Notts Forward to Promotion to League 1. Firstly he came to the Lane after the Departure of Luke Williams who had delivered what Notts Fans Wanted EFL Football after 4 years in the Doldrums of National League Football, the Magpies were back. Perhaps it's Wrong to make distinctions between Luke and Stuart Maynard but it does have to be done.

Luke Williams had Leadership Values and Superb Management Skills. He quickly had the Notts Faithful onside and the First team Squad singing his Praises. He also had a Vast Experience  Coaching at other Clubs. Of cause he wasn't Without his Faults. His if the opposition score 3 goals we'll score 4 goals attitude was totally Wrong and we all Know about his Defence Frailties and who knows where Notts would have Finished if he'd had stayed. Personally I think Notts would have still made the Playoffs, but where unlikely to get Promoted.  Then off Luke went to Swansea.

Enter Stuart Maynard. A Part time Coach with a Semi Professional Team. His tenure began when Notts were about to play Teams at or near the Top of League 2. And we Fans remember how that went. He seemed Totally Out of His Depth he made Poor Decisions and when the Magpies had a Couple of Good Results on the Road at Newport and Bradford he seemed to Switch his Winning Formula.  He doesn't seem to have the same Connection with the Fans or His players  He doesn't come across as Dynamic or as Enthusiastic as his Predecessor .  That could well be the way he his which if you're Winning Football Matches is Fine.

Nothing as Really Convinced Me that Stuart is the Man for the Notts Job, even though he has HIS Team now available. I would have thought by Now he'd have a Clearer Picture of His starting line up for the First Matches in League 2 and would have played that team for at Least 60 minutes in Germany. Some Fans will say Well Notts Defended well for 80 minutes. Yes that's as Maybe but Matches Last 90+. It appears to Me that Stuart is still Learning to be a Head Coach, the Thing Is Will he be given Time and if he his How Much of an Effect will it have on the Club Results Wise and It's Standing in League 2 and Most Important The Fans.?

When Luke Williams left he left Mighty Big Shoes To Fill, and Personally I Don't think Stuart is up to the Job. I Hope I'm Wrong I really do and all the New signings and Old Squad members Click and Notts have an Amazing Season. I just have a Nagging Feeling it May Not Happen with Stuart Maynard at the Helm.

so Macca's gone, I feel a little wounded by the lost.

Yes he's been a great servant to the club; but unpopular opinion; Notts was the only club to give him a chance when he tumbled down the leagues; and despite that he's trotted off to a higher level team where, realistically there's a high chance of him warming the Millwall bench; I'm disappointed as a fan in the lack of loyalty shown despite the faith put in him.

Also feeling sorry for Stu given hes just strengthened his defence and now he's had his most potent attacker leave a few days after giving him the captaincy...

that said, Super hopeful in big Cedwyn & Jatta to deliver a lethal attack and get us to where we belong!

A topic I have been asked to bring up via social media, is the situation in regard to us fully owning our ground by purchasing the land in which it stands. I know we have discussed this on and off at times, however, with Nottingham City council in debt. It has been pointed out to me that they might be more inclined to accept a fair offer for it.

Personally, I would rather the club outright own the land. It gives the club far better options with what can be done, but I do understand the point about it falling into the hands of potential bad owners.

I do think it makes more sense to own it, along with our own training facilities, because then it gives the club assets and more control. Sharing training facilities is fine for where we are, but if we aspire to be a bigger club then I just feel it makes far more sense to own our facilities. When you don't own something, you may find yourself looking to make a change - whilst this is unlikely to happen with the land Meadow Lane is built. Owning the land would make it easier to further develop the ground.

Click here for more topics and comments you may have missed 

Ok I'm about to Open A Can Of Worms Here. Who in your Opinion my fellow PON members.

 Is the Greatest Player Ever to Pull on a Notts Shirt?

This Topic may have been Covered before, if it as Please Indulge Me. I will assume there will be many different Answers because of the Wide range of Fans of different ages who have Watched Notts over a Number of Years. But it will be Nice to hear from the Young Fans as well as the Veteran Fans. So lets hear from all Magpie Fans who is the Greatest Notts Player in Your Opinion?

The departure of Macca from Meadow Lane was a Huge Disappointment to all Magpie Fans. But should it have been Such A Shock ? Looking Back over the last few Months of last Season perhaps there were already Pointers that Macca was Leaving. The Most Prominent  being the signing of Alassana Jatta. In the January Transfer window when Most Fans would have thought the signing of a couple of Defenders either on loan or a short term Contract would have been the Club's Top Priority, but No an unknown Striker from the Brothers other Team comes to the Lane.

The Question is why? Notts had Macca, David McGoldrick and Junior Morias as a Strike Force. and Cedwyn Scott was making progress from his injury, so what's with the signing of a New Striker? Unless of course a Deal had been Struck and Macca was going to pastures New. Was it already decided that Macca would leave at the End of the Season? And the signing of Jatta was to get the Player ready and Used to playing in the English League. It appears his signing was an Excellent One his Five goals argues well for the Future, Big Things are going to be expected of him this coming season.

The Club playing it's cards very close to it's Chest start laying a False trail of Hope for the Fans. Remarks like It will Take A Massive Deal to take Macca away from the Lane. Macca states he wants to take Notts into League 1 and then the Club make Macca Captain. I'm Not Saying Macca didn't want to Lead Notts into League 1, he may have even been in the Dark about the Move as We the Fans Were.

Why would Notts not say anything about a possible move? Imagine the effect on Season Ticket Sales if it had been announced at the end of Last Season that Macca was on his way. It May Not been a Massive number but Enough to make an Impact on Revenue (who Knows?)   Many rumours were doing the rounds a whole List of Clubs were being Quoted as Possible Destinations and Transfer Fees were Priced from £1.5 million to £2.3 million at one stage. Then the Millwall interest Comes to light and things seemed to be Wrapped Up Awfully Fast.

So was the Figure of £750,000 +Ad on's (hopefully) agreed in January with Millwall on the understanding, that Macca would remain at the Lane until the season was Finished? Whatever was agreed or Not lets hope Macca goes on to Great things and has a Great Career. We Notts Fans should be Grateful we had Macca with us last Season, because Many of us in the stands thought Macca would have been Snapped up after his Epic 42 Goal National League Campaign..

Why fans would want to make these sick chants I’ll never know. ????
 

Confronting the 'tragedy chanting' football fans https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1erer2k90o 

Back in my School Days (when we used Chalk to write on Slate) I remember one Christmas I got a Charles Buchanan Football Book and in a Section about Clubs Nicknames it was stated Notts County were Called the Lambs? This I told a School mate (an Ardent Notts Fan) who declared that was a Total Load Of Rubbish. But I replied that was what it said in my Football Book. Yeah well you're Football Book is Wrong.

And to Prove his point Terry (that's my School mate) Brings in a Notts Football Programme, opens the it up and the in Capital Letters it says

MAGPIES MESSAGE. So why the Lambs? And when was the Clubs Nickname changed from the Lambs to the Magpies? And was there any Main Reason for the Change?

Awhile ago my Mum passed away and going through her house sorting things out, I came across an Old Chest of Drawers and one of the draws wouldn't open properly. I managed to get my hand in side the Draw and something right at the back was wedged in such a way the Draw stuck. I managed to work it Free and pulled it out it was a letter that I hadn't seen in 50 odd years and didn't know my Mum still had, I would think in was put in the Drawer and Forgotten about. So here's the Unhappy Football Memory that Letter  Contained.

In 1966 England were Crowned Kings of the Footballing World and four years later they set out to defend that Title in Mexico. As the Tournament approached all the papers were full of different things about England, and the News Of The World Ran a Competition WIN AN ALL EXPENCE FREE TRIP TO MEXICO.  What you had to do was pick an England Squad of 24 Players who you think will Go to Mexico. So I sat down and went through the Names of Players who had made the England Squad of 32 Players and I had to Whittle them down to 24. The Winner of the Competition would be the contestant who came the nearest to Choosing the Squad picked by Football Experts, EX-Players and Football Journalists. So off went My Entry Posted First Class. Around a Fortnight later I Got a Letter. CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE THE WINNER OF OUR ENGLAND IN MEXICO Competition!!

Me and My Dad were Going to Mexico to watch England in the World Cup. Only we Didn't, a couple of days later I received the Letter I Now held in My Hand. I Had Been Disqualified From The Competition. The Reason Why? 

I WAS TO YOUNG (13) and shouldn't have been Allowed to Enter the Competition in the First Place. That Letter bought back An Unhappy Memory. But I Did Get Some Satisfaction, from getting a Match and Setting It Alight and Watching It Burn To A Cinder.

Good morning it’s a beautiful day again and it’s Friday so time for some weekend chat.

I don’t know why I get excited about the weekend I guess it’s a throwback from when I was working. We still treat weekends as special in spite of the fact that we’re retired. We have better meals and I allow myself some alcohol.

Whats everyone up to this weekend? I’m hoping to see our son and family for a meal which will be nice, park run tomorrow obviously, so I can keep in trim. 

Game five for the Outlaws in this season's 20/20 Blast. 2:30 pm start.

Notts are still looking for their first win this season. Can they do it today at Trent bridge?

Welcome to our PON community@Pies79 

Welcome to PoN @Morten Johansen please make yourself at home it’s good to have you here.