Grimsby v Notts County Preview

Who are they?

County’s history is one of the most well known in the country. The world’s oldest league club was set up on the 27th November 1862. The gentleman-only team initially played their games within the grounds of Nottingham Castle before moving to Trent Bridge cricket ground in 1883. Though the oldest club in the league the Magpies have never been the ultimate champions of England, the Nottinghamshire side came close when they finished 3rd on 2 occasions but never got hold of the coveted trophy. One of the reasons Notts County aren't the alpha club in the city doesn't just settle with the fact the other was more successful. At the start of the 20th century County moved to neighbouring Beeston to play their games there. This brought derision amongst a lot of fans in the area as any thought the club had deserted its Nottingham roots then again two European Cups from a club just across the bridge would I assume have some sort of affect on attendances and support as well.

Ian McParland’s one full season in charge at Meadow Lane didn't yield much change from the season prior in fact even though Notts County finished 2 places higher than the season before they accumulated fewer points. Not to mention that the club were ousted out of the FA Cup by non-league Kettering in the second round. The clubs one high point came when they knocked out Doncaster in the League Cup early on but other than that this season was merely a warm up to our epic win their in April and that was just a sideshow for what was to come in Nottingham…

Who doesn't know about The Magpies' current campaign? Even those who live in a world of Sky Sports and Chelsea have heard something about a chaotic season at Meadow Lane. It’s nearly impossible to explain such a frantic time in the club's history but to put it simply. Munto Finance came to the city of Robin Hood on a white steed ready to propel this historic club in to the upper echelons of English football. It’s every lower league fan's dream, money was draped over the club from god knows where, the badge changed, in came Sven most probably persuaded by the harem of beauties up the road in Hooters and so did the players to match the owners' ambitions. Murderer Lee Hughes was brought in hopefully driven by a taxi not by himself, Sol Campbell popped along for a few weeks and so did Kasper Schmeichel allegedly on more now at Notts County than he ever was at Man City. Since the early season everything has fallen to pieces: Munto were found out and the club has spiraled into a black hole of oblivion Peter Trembling’s offer to buy the club from Munto happened but hasn't been able to stop the huge red mark on the clubs bank accounts. Now Notts are a team with a great squad for League Two but also hold a budget which would make a lot of Premiership clubs blush. The worrying aspect is even with such finances for a brief spell County sit only 5th in the league granted with a handful of games in hand over those above them. Oh well they lived the dream if only briefly.

Uncertain seems to be the consensus amongst the fans. Though Peter Trembling has bought the club from Munto a huge wage bill is looming large over the north bank of the Trent. If promotion isn't achieved this season it could well be disastrous the question is who would you prefer to be right now Notts County or Portsmouth?

Grimsby 1-0 Notts County - 28 March 2009

Of course recently wanna be actor Sol Campbell made an appearance for County but even more impressively so did Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton, Jermaine Pennant and Martin O’Neill.

Birmingham winger Ben Davies has become a cheery point for those amidst the doom at County. Captured on a free from Shrewsbury in the summer after rejecting a new contract in Shropshire the free kick specialist has established himself as a key man in Dave Kevin’s squad with 10 assists and 7 goals so far the man can pick a pass like no one else in the league and can compete with Sweeney for the title of free kick specialist supremo.

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Head to Head

Town have the edge over County, especially at Blundell Park where the Magpies have only won six times in 39 attempts.

P76 W32 D18 L26 F 105 A 107

Head-to-Head (31st The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

Notts County 0 Grimsby 2 (Sat 13th Apr 2009)

Who can forget the 2-0 win at Meadow Lane, one of the highlights of last season, when 2000 Town fans saw the Mariners win to pull themselves out of a relegation place.

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