Football Season Guide

There has been a huge wave of optimism over Meadow Lane ever since the appointment of former West Ham United midfielder Kevin Nolan as a manager in the wake of Alan Hardy’s takeover of the club back in January. They steered clear of a relegation battle to finish in 17th place and are already being touted for promotion in 2017/18. Nolan will be disappointed to have lost midfielder Mark Yeates to Eastleigh during the summer but there have been no other notable departures especially having pulled off the coup of re-signing midfield playmaker Jorge Grant on loan from neighbours Nottingham Forest for the entire season. He was outstanding last season and everyone at the club were desperate to re-capture his signature. It will soften the blow following an increasingly frustrating pursuit of former midfielder Liam Noble, who they had hoped to re-sign from Forest Green Rovers but eventually failed. They strengthened in defence with the arrivals of Dan Jones and Shaun Brisley from Chesterfield and Carlisle United respectively, whilst taking a punt on midfielder Liam Walker who impressed whilst on trial. Winger, Terry Hawkridge, and striker Lewis Alessandra will add plenty of attacking intent after joining from promoted Lincoln City and relegated Hartlepool United respectively. Nolan already had a strong spine to his squad in goalkeeper Adam Collin, defender Richard Duffy as well as midfielder Rob Milsom, who was voted player of the season. Jon Stead finished as leading goalscorer and has been persuaded to sign for another season despite offers from America. Influential midfielder Michael O’Connor is likely to miss the first half of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury but his return will be like a new signing and the club will be hoping to be in hunt for a play-off place. Crowds have returned in their droves following the arrivals of Hardy and Nolan so Notts County are likely to be one of the best supported clubs in the division this season.