2009–10 Notts County F.C. season

Notts County
2009–10 season
Chairman	Ray Trew
Manager	Steve Cotterill
Football League Two	1st (champions)
FA Cup	Round 5
League Cup	1st Round
Football League Trophy	1st Round
Top goalscorer	League: Lee Hughes (30); All: Lee Hughes (33)
Highest home attendance	11,331 vs Cheltenham Town, 1 May
Lowest home attendance	4,213 vs Bradford City, 6 November
Average home league attendance	7,352
Home colours	Away colours

Notts County were the oldest club in the Football League and the 2009–10 season was their 121st year in The Football League. An unknown Investment company (which falsely claimed it had the backing of Middle Eastern investors) took over Notts County in early June with Sven-Göran Eriksson becoming Director of Football and he left on 12 February. On 12 February, Ray Trew became owner of the club following the Peter Trembling's sale.

Season review

Kits & sponsorship

Notts County change to Nike to design kits, County use the Milan template in County's traditional black & white colours. Medoc sponsors the home Kit.^[1] Octavian Society is the sponsor on the basic Nike Template blue away shirt.

Events

14 July 2009 – The fraudulent Munto Finance complete the takeover and named Peter Trembling chairman.
21 July 2009 – Sven-Göran Eriksson was announced as director of football.
7 August 2009 – Notts County sign with Nike and Medoc Computers becomes Shirt sponsor.^[1]
25 August 2009 – Former England international Sol Campbell signs on five-year deal.
23 September 2009 – Sol Campbell's contract is cancelled by mutual consent after he walked out.^[2]
12 October 2009 – Manager Ian McParland is sacked.^[3]
27 October 2009 – Hans Backe is named as manager.^[4]
14 November 2009 – Kasper Schmeichel wins League Two Player of the Month.^[5]
1 December 2009 – Paul Fearon is appointed as Director of Hospitality, Catering and Events.^[6]
10 December 2009 – Munto Finance puts Notts County up for sale.^[7]
12 December 2009 – Peter Trembling completes takeover of Notts County from Munto Finance.^[8]
15 December 2009 – Hans Backe resigns after just seven-week in charge.^[9]
26 January 2010 – Peter Trembling secures investment which will pay off all debt and provide extra funds.^[10]
12 February 2010 – Former Lincoln City chairman Ray Trew buys Notts County and director of football, Sven-Göran Eriksson leaves.^[11]
23 February 2010 – Steve Cotterill takes over as manager.^[12]
1 April 2010 – Notts County sign a two-year sponsorship deal with Lorien Resourcing, the sponsors will be on the back of the first team home shirts.^[13]
3 April 2010 – Steve Cotterill wins Manager of the Month for March and Vice-Captain Neal Bishop wins Player of the Month.^[14]
17 April 2010 – Notts County unveil new club badge.^[15]
17 April 2010 – Notts County are promoted to League One after a 4–1 win over Morecambe.^[16]
27 April 2010 – Notts County win the League Two title after a 5–0 win against already relegated Darlington.^[17]
1 May 2010 – Steve Cotterill wins his second Football League Two Manager of the Month (April),^[18] Lee Hughes wins the April League Two Player of the Month.^[19]

League Two

Notts County begin their season with a 5–0 win over Bradford City. This was followed by a win over Macclesfield, scoring nine goals in two games put County top of the League Two table. They suffered their first defeat at Chesterfield but bounced back with a win over Dagenham & Redbridge followed by a loss to Barnet and then a draw against Football League new boys Burton Albion. Notts County continued their promotion hopes with a 5–2 win over Northampton Town, Lee Hughes achieved his 10th career hat-trick.^[20] This was followed with a loss to Morecambe and they quickly bounced back when Hughes scored twice and an own goal which gave Notts County in a 3–1 win over Port Vale. Three draws followed these against Cheltenham Town, Torquay United & Rotherham. Crewe Alexandra lost to County with Luke Rodgers and Craig Westcarr scoring the only two goals. This was followed with a 1–1 draw with Shrewsbury Town. Lee Hughes returns on the score sheet in a 3–3 draw with Bury, this was followed with another draw against Aldershot Town. The Magpies then lost 2–1 to Rochdale, following this new manager Hans Backe had his first league win, which was a 4–0 against Darlington.^[21] Westcarr and Edwards keep County top of the play-offs with a 2–0 win over Hereford United. After Peter Trembling's take over at County, they lost 2–1 to Accrington, this was County's first home defeat of the season.

County returned to action on 28 December after two games were postponed due to frozen pitches and County beat Burton Albion 4–1. In their first league game of 2010 against Dagenham & Redbridge, County earned all three points with three goals followed by a home win against Barnet. Grimsby Town were then beaten by the Magpies. Their winning streak was ended by a 2–1 loss at A.F.C. Bournemouth, then a draw to strugglers Grimsby. Aldershot Town held County to a 1–1 draw. Notts County then beat relegation battlers Hereford United 5–0. They then climbed to 4th with wins against Macclesfield Town, Accrington Stanley and Chesterfield. A draw with fellow promotion hopefuls A.F.C. Bournemouth put County into the automatic places and then a win against Crewe Alexandra moved them up to 2nd. Which were followed by a draw against Bradford City and wins against Rotherham United, with Rodgers getting the only goal, which earned new manager Steve Cotterill Manager of the Month for March. Fellow promotion hopefuls Bury were beaten 5–0 by Notts County. Ben Davies gave County a 1–0 over The Shrews. Davies scored his third in three games with the only goal against Northampton Town. Notts County edge ever closer to promotion with a 3–1 win over Lincoln City. Rochdale lost to relegated Darlington putting County top of the table. Notts County were promoted along with Rochdale after a 4–1 win over Morecambe.^[16] The next game was at home against Rochdale which County won 1–0. County then on 24 April 2010 lost 2–1 to Port Vale, one more win by county or a loss by Rochdale and Notts are Champions. County clinched the title with a 5–0 win over already relegated Darlington. County beat Cheltenham 5–0 in the final home game of the season. County finished their League Two campaign with a goalless draw with Torquay United.

Pos	Club	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Notts County (C)	46	27	12	7	95	30	+65	93
2	A.F.C. Bournemouth (P)	46	25	8	13	59	43	+17	83
2	Rochdale (P)	46	25	7	14	82	48	+24	82

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points (P) = Promoted

Results summary


Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
46	27	12	7	96	31	+65	93	16	6	1	58	14	+44	11	6	6	38	17	+21

Last updated: 9 May 2010.
Source:

Cups

FA Cup

County started their FA Cup campaign against League Two rivals Bradford City. Hawley and Jackson put County through in a 2–1 win. The Magpies were drawn with a trip to A.F.C. Bournemouth for the second round.^[22] County put Bournemouth out of the cup with a 2–1 win,^[23] the draw for the third round named non-League side Forest Green Rovers to play County at Meadow Lane^[24] County then beat Forest Green 2–1 to go through to the next round, County's first fourth round entry in 15 years.^[25] Premier League outfit Wigan Athletic held County to a late draw (2–2) resulting in a replay, which County won 2–0. County were then knocked in the fifth round by Premier League side Fulham.

League Cup

Notts County were knocked out of the first round by Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers.

Football League Trophy

Notts County were knocked out in the first round by Bradford City, County lost 3–2 on penalties.

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	ENG	Russell Hoult
4	DF	ENG	Mike Edwards
5	DF	ENG	Graeme Lee
6	DF	IRL	John Thompson (captain)
7	MF	ENG	Matthew Hamshaw
8	MF	ENG	Ricky Ravenhill
9	FW	ENG	Lee Hughes
10	MF	ENG	Neal Bishop
11	MF	ENG	Ben Davies
12	GK	ENG	Kevin Pilkington
14	FW	ENG	Sean Canham
15	FW	ENG	Karl Hawley


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
16	FW	ENG	Ben Fairclough
17	DF	ENG	Jamie Clapham
18	DF	ENG	Stephen Hunt
19	FW	ENG	Luke Rodgers
20	FW	ENG	Craig Westcarr
21	MF	ENG	Johnnie Jackson
22	FW	GRN	Delroy Facey
23	GK	DEN	Kasper Schmeichel
30	FW	NGA	Ade Akinbiyi
37	MF	ENG	Alex Troke
43	DF	ENG	Haydn Hollis
45	MF	ENG	Nathan Fox

Statistics

Last Update 9 May 2010

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		League Two		FA Cup		League Cup		Football League Trophy
No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	ENG	Russell Hoult	6	0	4	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
2	DF	EIR	Brendan Moloney*	19	1	18	1	0	0	1	0	0	0
3	MF	ENG	Matt Ritchie*	19	3	16	3	2	0	0	0	1	0
4	DF	ENG	Mike Edwards	46	5	40	5	4	0	1	0	1	0
5	DF	ENG	Graeme Lee	36	4	32	4	3	0	0	0	1	0
6	DF	EIR	John Thompson	47	0	40	0	5	0	1	0	1	0
7	MF	ENG	Matthew Hamshaw	24	0	20	0	4	0	0	0	0	0
8	MF	ENG	Ricky Ravenhill	48	3	40	3	6	0	1	0	1	0
9	FW	ENG	Lee Hughes	45	33	39	30	5	3	1	0	0	0
10	MF	ENG	Neal Bishop	51	1	43	1	6	0	1	0	1	0
11	MF	ENG	Ben Davies	51	15	45	14	6	1	0	0	0	0
12	GK	ENG	Kevin Pilkington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	FW	ENG	Sean Canham	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	FW	ENG	Karl Hawley	37	4	30	3	5	1	1	0	1	0
16	FW	ENG	Ben Fairclough	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
17	DF	ENG	Jamie Clapham	37	1	30	1	5	0	1	0	1	0
18	DF	ENG	Stephen Hunt	38	3	32	1	5	2	1	0	0	0
19	FW	ENG	Luke Rodgers	48	13	42	13	5	0	1	0	0	0
20	FW	ENG	Craig Westcarr	50	11	42	9	6	1	1	0	1	1
21	MF	ENG	Johnnie Jackson	30	3	24	2	6	1	0	0	0	0
22	FW	GRN	Delroy Facey	20	3	18	2	1	0	0	0	1	1
23	GK	DEN	Kasper Schmeichel	47	0	41	0	5	0	0	0	1	0
24	MF	ENG	Daniel Jones*	8	0	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
30	FW	NGA	Ade Akinbiyi	11	0	10	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
32	DF	ENG	Sol Campbell*	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
37	MF	ENG	Alex Troke	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
43		ENG	Haydn Hollis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
45	MF	ENG	Nathan Fox	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

*Indicates player left during the season

Captains

Number	Pos	Player	Starts (as captain)
6	CB/RB	John Thompson	44
10	CM	Neal Bishop	9
9	ST	Lee Hughes	4

Disciplinary record

Number	Pos	Player
9	ST	Lee Hughes	13	1
5	CB	Graeme Lee	10	1
19	ST	Luke Rodgers	8	1
6	CB/RB	John Thompson	12	0
4	CB	Mike Edwards	9	0
10	CM	Neal Bishop	8	0
8	CM	Ricky Ravenhill	7	0
18	CB/RB	Stephen Hunt	6	0
11	CM/RM	Ben Davies	4	0
21	CM/LM	Johnnie Jackson	3	0
20	ST	Craig Westcarr	3	0
7	RM	Matthew Hamshaw	2	0
24	LM	Daniel Jones	2	0
2	RB	Brendan Moloney	2	0
23	GK	Kasper Schmeichel	2	0
30	ST	Ade Akinbiyi	1	0
22	ST	Delroy Facey	1	0
15	ST	Karl Hawley	1	0
3	LM	Matt Ritchie	1	0

Transfers

Summer transfers in

Player	Club	Fee
Neal Bishop	Barnet	Free
Sol Campbell	Portsmouth	Free
Ben Davies	Shrewsbury Town	Free
Karl Hawley	Preston North End	Undisclosed
Lee Hughes	Oldham Athletic	Free
Johnnie Jackson	Colchester United	Free
Graeme Lee	Bradford City	Undisclosed
Ricky Ravenhill	Darlington	Free
Luke Rodgers	Yeovil Town	Free
Kasper Schmeichel	Manchester City	Undisclosed
Craig Westcarr	Kettering Town	Free

Summer transfers out

* Indicates the player joined club after being released

Player	Club	Fee
Richard Butcher	Lincoln City	Free
Jamie Forrester	Lincoln United*	Free
Michael Johnson	Retired	–
Adam Nowland	FC Tampa Bay Rowdies*	Free
Gavin Strachan	Corby Town*	Free
Adam Tann	Histon*	Free
Myles Weston	Brentford	Undisclosed

Loans in

Player	Club	Arrival Date	Return Date
Brendan Moloney	Nottingham Forest	1 July	1 January
Matt Ritchie	Portsmouth	1 September	31 December
Daniel Jones	Wolverhampton Wanderers	24 September	1 January

Loan out

Player	Club	Arrival Date	Return Date
Tom Hawkins	Rotherham United	1 December	1 June
Ben Fairclough	Ilkeston Town	1 September	1 October
Russell Hoult	Darlington	16 September	16 October
Kevin Pilkington	Luton Town	12 November	16 January
Delroy Facey	Lincoln City	26 November	2 February
Johnnie Jackson	Charlton Athletic	18 February	18 March

Fixtures & results