Notts County overview

Notts County:

Notts County, founded in 1862, holds the prestigious title of the oldest professional football club in the world. The Magpies, known for their iconic black and white striped kits, Notts County has competed in various tiers of English football, with memorable moments including their time in the topflight during the late 19th century and early 20th century. The club's home, Meadow Lane, has been their fortress since 1910 which before then they previously played at Trent Bridge which is now the cricket stadium home to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

Notts County's most notable achievement is winning the FA Cup in 1894. This historic victory saw the Magpies triumph 4-1 over Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park. Three years prior they were runners up in the competition also.

As for the club’s recent history, it’s been a story of struggle. The club faced relegation from the Football League down to the National League in 2019. However, this setback sparked a revival, and Notts County began re-entered the Football League earning themselves promotion via the play-offs in the 2022/23 season where they beat now fellow League Two outfit Chesterfield 3-2 in the final at Wembley.

Under the management of Stuart Maynard, the club has seen a resurgence in form. Maynard's has played a pivotal role in stabilising the team and steering them towards being promotion candidates to League One with the club currently sitting in 5th place and merely two points shy of the automatic spots.

Manager: Stuart Maynard

Stuart Maynard’s tenure as the manager of Notts County has been marked by a notable resurgence of the club after going from a part-time non-league manager to being appointment full-time in January 2024 after guiding the Magpies from the National League back into the Football League. Having previously worked as a BT engineer whilst managing at Meadow Lane on the side, the 44-year-old was excited of what the permanent opportunity would bring. He has galvanised the Magpies and transformed them into promotion contenders for League One.

Before taking the helm at Notts County, Stuart Maynard built his managerial reputation in the non-league by beginning his coaching career managing Hemel Hempstead in 2018. His tenure at Hemel Hempstead saw the team achieve consistent top-half finishes in the National League South. Maynard then took the step up to the National League where he took charge of Wealdstone where he was in charge for three years.

3 key players:

Alassana Jatta:

Alassana Jatta was signed by Notts County ahead of the 2023/24 season from Danish side Viborg and ever since has consistently found the back of the net, showcasing his clinical nature in front of goal in crucial matches. His recent form this season has been exceptional, with him currently being top of the goal scorer standings joint with Bromley’s Michael Cheek on 17 goals. The Gambian striker signed for the Magpies on a two-and-a-half-year deal after scoring 21 goals in 103 appearances for his former side. Jatta has had some standout performances cementing himself as Notts County’s main man in their frontline and is a constant threat to any opposition. Coming away with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win against Bradford City was his highlight of this season alongside scoring a brace in their 8-goal thriller, 5-3 away win, against mid-table Cheltenham.

David McGoldrick:

David McGoldrick joined Notts County on a two-year deal almost 20 years after he left the club ahead of the 2023/24 season after leaving Derby County. McGoldrick brought with him a wealth of experience from his time playing in the Premier League with Sheffield United as well as his successful stint in the Championship with the Blades and the Rams. His arrival was seen as a steal for the Magpies, adding both proven quality and experience to their attacking options. This season, McGoldrick has been instrumental in Notts County's push for promotion, contributing 12 goals and 8 assists in all competitions. His ability to link up play, hold the ball, and create chances for his strike partner in Jatta has been invaluable. Most notably, his standout performances firstly came against Mansfield Town where he scored a hat-trick, and secondly providing a match-winning assist in their 2-1 victory over Swindon Town.

George Abbott:

The promising talent George Abbott signed for Notts County on loan at the start of this season after coming through the academy at Tottenham Hotspur. Known for his versatility and reading the game in the heart of midfield, Abbott has solidified his position within the team, contributing significantly to their current promotion push with 8 goal contributions of 4 goals and 4 assists in 32 league appearances, including a player of the match performance on a couple of occasions. The first coming in their 1-0 win against league strugglers Carlisle where Abbot came up with an assist, and the second coming away to Fleetwood where the 19-year-old scored and assisted vitally to rescue a 2-2 draw.

His tenure at Tottenham Hotspur paved the way for his professional journey, as he was a regular standout in youth fixtures showcasing his leadership qualities that have translated to League Two level.