Last season’s glory must quickly make way for a focus on the new campaign, as Notts County look to pursue their dream of climbing back up the English Football League.
Their victory on penalties over Chesterfield in May in the National League playoff final sparked jubilant celebrations as County returned to the football league.
Now preseason is fully underway as County look ahead to their first game of the League Two season - away at Sutton United on Saturday, August 5.
With club captain, Kyle Cameron, signing a new two-year contract and boyhood club legend, David McGoldrick, returning to Meadow Lane, the County are on the up. The club released a statement, welcoming McGoldrick home. It read:
“He joins us on the back of his best-ever goalscoring season, but anyone who’s followed his career knows his talents extend far beyond his ability in front of goal. David’s an incredibly intelligent and intricate footballer who also boasts tremendous physicality, so we believe he can be hugely effective in a number of attacking roles.
“He’s been a leader and top professional at several big clubs, including recently in the Premier League with Sheffield United, and we believe his know-how and willingness to impart knowledge on to younger players will be invaluable.
His love and respect for the club have brought him home and he’s going to be a talismanic figure as we commence this exciting new chapter.”A mixed preseason has seen the Magpies produce stunning results and disappointing outings to match. With the season just around the corner, Nottingham World takes you through Notts County’s preseason up to now.
1. Initial Success
County continued their winning form with a 0-3 win away at Non-league side Nuneaton Borough FC. Goals from Langstaff, O’Brien and Scott capped off a comfortable 90 minutes for the League Two side.
2. Tearing up the non-league
A 0-2 victory against AFC Telford preceded a 0-1 defeat of Boston United as Dan Crowley, Richard Brindley and Cedwyn Scott found the scoresheet. Last night, the Magpies demolished Alfreton Town 0-5 at the Alfreton Town Football Club Impact Arena Stadium as County look to end their preseason on a high against League One side Shrewsbury Town. County will play Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, Jul 29 at 3pm away at The Croud Meadow.
3. Struggles against the higher divisions
Early preseason success was quickly swatted aside with back-to-back losses to some of the stronger teams in the English football pyramid. A 1-5 drubbing by Stoke City was followed by a narrow 0-1 loss to city rivals, Nottingham Forest, with a goal from Hwang Ui-jo the difference.