Notts County

Trust loan keeps Magpies afloat
Notts County have been kept afloat by a £50,000 loan from the Supporters Trust which runs the troubled club. The Trust came up with the interest-free loan to help keep the Magpies going through the close season. Trust chairman Keri Isherwood told Magpies website: "With no money coming in but bills to pay it's a possibility the club could run out of money. "We simply couldn't allow that to happen, we've all worked too hard to keep our club in existence."

Mariners sign former Magpies man
Grimsby Town manager Russell Slade has made former Notts County midfielder Paul Bolland his fifth summer signing. Bolland has agreed a two-year deal at Blundell Park after being released by League Two rivals County. The 25-year-old had spent six years at Meadow Lane, making almost 200 appearances following a move from Bradford City. Bolland follows former Notts County goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall in joining the Mariners.

Notts County bring in Pilkington
Notts County have signed goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington following his departure from League Two rivals Mansfield Town. The 31-year-old former Manchester United player has agreed a two-year deal at Meadow Lane. Pilkington had rejected a new contract at Mansfield to end a near five-year stay at Field Mill. He becomes County manager Gudjon Thordarson¿s first signing since his appointment earlier this summer.

Fans to decide Quakers game date
Darlington will let their fans decide when they play their home match against Notts County in September. Supporters can choose either the evening of Friday 2 September or a 1pm kick-off the next day to avoid a clash with the Wales-England game in Cardiff. Fans have until 1 July to text their votes and boss David Hodgson told the club website: "Many will want to see our matches and the England games. "We want to know what their preference is on how to do that."

Magpies take a swipe at Bolland
Notts County have hit back at their former midfielder Paul Bolland, following his move to Grimsby. Bolland, 25, agreed to join the Mariners last week - but criticised County for not keeping in touch with him over the offer of a new contract. "After six-and-a-half years, they could have shown me some loyalty back," he was quoted as saying. But County have said he had been asked to wait until boss Gudjon Thordarson returned from holiday to hold talks. In a statement, the Magpies pointed out that "the club was contractually obliged to pay his wages until the end of July", and with Thordarson returning on 23 June, there was "plenty of time" for contract talks. Bolland had also stated that with his partner expecting their first child in six weeks' time, he was forced to listen to other offers.

Deeney provides boost to Magpies
Notts County received a surprise boost when keeper Saul Deeney unexpectedly turned up for pre-season training. Deeney, 22, was not expected to return to Meadow Lane after turning down County's contract offer at the end of last season. Magpies' boss Gudjon Thordarson is expected to sit down and try and thrash out a deal Deeney will accept. Derry-born Deeny joined County in August 1999 and has had loan spells at Gresley Rovers and Hull City.

MacLaren named Magpies assistant
Notts County have appointed Ross MacLaren as assistant manager. MacLaren joins Gudjon Thordarson at Meadow Lane and has signed a one-year contract with the League Two outfit. MacLaren left his post as head of the youth team at Southend earlier this week, a position he had held for the past year at the Roots Hall club. He was assistant to John Gregory during his torrid time at Derby County and had playing spells with Glasgow Rangers, Shrewsbury, Swindon as well as Derby.

O'Callaghan happy with Notts move
Defender Brian O'Callaghan is pleased to have finally signed for Notts County from Icelandic side Kevlavik - subject to international clearance. The 24-year-old was reported to have signed for County several weeks ago, but has now penned a one-year deal. "Gudjon Thordarson is a very good manager - he gets the best out of his players," he told the club's website. "I have worked with him twice before - he has got the best out of me, and I have reaped the benefits." Limerick-born O'Callaghan's first English club was Barnsley, where he played under Thordarson - but after being released in the summer of 2004, he joiined Conference North side Worksop Town before moving to Iceland.

McMahon thrilled with County deal
Notts County have completed the signing of midfielder Lewis McMahon, who was released by Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the summer, on a one-year deal. The 20-year-old had made 31 league and cup appearances for the Owls. "It was a shock leaving Wednesday, but I just had to get on with it," McMahon told the Magpies' website. "I know Notts County's quite a big club, and once I had spoken to the manager, Gudjon Thordarson, I felt it was the place to come."

Magpies swoop for striker White
Notts County have completed the signing of striker Andy White. The 23-year-old has penned a one-year deal following his release from Championship side Crewe. White had a short loan spell at Gresty Road before completing a permanent move there last summer and went on to score four goals for the Alex. Meanwhile Notts County striker Steve Scoffham, 21, has signed a new one-year contract with the Magpies after a season plagued by injury.

Cheltenham win race for Armstrong
Cheltenham boss John Ward is set to make experienced midfielder Craig Armstrong his first new summer signing. The 30-year-old has agreed terms with the Robins and will complete his move once he passes a medical after being released by Bradford last season. Armstrong, who was also a Notts County target after training with the club, can play in a number of positions. "He's a player with a number of strings to his bow and will give us a nice balance," Ward told his club's website.

Martin completes Magpies switch
Derby County defender Dan Martin has completed his move to Notts County. The 18-year-old trained with the League Two club on Friday and has sealed a free transfer to Meadow Lane. Martin can play at centre-back or at left-back and captained Derby's U18's side to the quarter-finals of last season's FA Youth Cup. The Derby-born player progressed through the Rams' Academy and made a first-team appearance in 2004 in a friendly against Aston Villa.

Striker Harrad makes Burton move
Burton Albion have signed striker Shaun Harrad following his departure from Notts County. Harrad, 20, was last week released from the final year of his deal at Meadow Lane by mutual consent as he looked to secure regular first-team football. He made most of his 32 senior appearances for the Magpies from the bench, a chance at Conference level. Harrad also scored three times in six games during a loan spell at Tamworth last season.

Magpies handed Hughes cash boost
Notts County will receive a £20,000 windfall from former player Andy Hughes' move from Reading to Norwich. The Magpies negotiated a sell-on clause when Hughes left Meadow Lane in 2001 and his move to Carrow Road has netted the club a much-needed cash boost. Hughes made more than 100 appearances for County after originally joining on loan in January 1998. Sam Allardyce, who was manager at the time, was impressed enough to pay £100,000 to Oldham for his services.

Gradi offers keeper Deeney trial
Crewe boss Dario Gradi is to give a trial to Notts County goalkeeper Saul Deeney as he searches for cover for injured keeper Stuart Tomlinson. Deeney, 22, who is currently out of contract at Meadow Lane, will played for Crewe's reserves in a behind closed doors friendly against Everton. Gradi told the Crewe website: "We'll take a look at Deeney in a practise game at Everton and see how he does." "We're also bringing a keeper in to play on Friday and see what he's like." Tomlinson will miss the start of the new season after twisting his ankle in a pre-season friendly aganist West Bromwich Albion.

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