With the new season looming, it feels like only yesterday that the Magpies secured their League One status with a truly ‘great escape’ on the final day of the season, prompting celebrations amongst the away fans. Notts have needed to recruit over summer, whilst also trimming the squad for financial purposes, to avoid a repeat of last year’s nightmare season. Derry and Abbott have done exactly that, with a plethora of comings and goings from the Nottingham club. The ‘pies have seen regular first-teamer Alan Sheehan leave on a free to Bradford City early on in pre-season which was a blow but one that was expected, with Sheehan’s wages a financial conundrum for the club. Further hampering the ‘pies was Jimmy Spencer’s season-long injury. On a positive note, Roy Carroll signed on a free from Olympiakos following an impressive trial period in pre-season, stringing a series of good performances together and impressing the manager. Carroll’s signing counters the exit of long-term Notts ‘keeper Barthosz Bialkowski who departed for Ipswich in the summer for an undisclosed fee. County have also secured the services of veterans Alan Smith and Hayden Mullins, the latter who played a part in the Magpies survival last season. Two of the youngsters from the academy, Brad McGowan and Harry Andrews have been rewarded central contracts and promoted to the first team which is a boost for the club’s academy. The full list of dealings are as follows:
Ins
Brad McGowan (Academy)
Harry Andrews (Academy)
Alan Smith (MK Dons)
Hayden Mullins (Birmingham City)
Liam Noble (Carlisle United)
Taylor McKenzie (Sheffield Wednesday)
Nicky Wroe (Preston North End)
Cieron Keane (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Zeli Ismail (On Loan From Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Garry Thompson (Bradford City)
Jake Cassidy (On Loan From Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Roy Carroll (Olympiakos)
Elliott Whitehouse (Sheffield United)
Outs
Bartosz Bialkowski (Ipswich Town)
Andre Boucard (Released)
Jamaal Cambell-Ryce (Sheffield United)
Adam Coombes (Released)
Mark Fotheringham (Released)
Andy Howarth (Cheltenham Town)
Joss Labadie (Torquay United)
Malachi Lavelle-Moore (Released)
Dean Leacock (Released)
Gary Liddle (Bradford City)
Romello Nangle (Released)
Gareth Roberts (Released)
Alan Sheehan (Bradford City)
Enoch Showumni (Loan Expired)
Manny Smith (Released)
Pre-season results
Notts 2 – 0 Osasuna
Notts 0 – 4 Birmingham City
FC Halifax Town 1 – 0 Notts
Carlton Town 0 – 4 Notts
Notts 1 – 3 Derby County
Rolls Royce Leisure 1 – 4 Notts
Mansfield Town 3 – 1 Notts
The Magpies’ curtain-raiser is away at Preston on August 9th. Further information can be found at: http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/ticket-details-preston-north-end-v-notts-county-sky-bet-league-1-1759489.aspx
Baseline Sport 