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Archived News from March 2007

STAGSNET`S STATISTICAL PREVIEW
8th March 2007 20:28


So far this century, the Stags have remained unbeaten in Magpies v Stags FL local derbies at Meadow Lane. Three games from 2002-03 season onwards have yielded the Stags one three-pointer, thanks to a Richard Barker strike in the club's 3000th league fixture since election way back in 1931, and it also marked the Stags' first league win at Magpies headquarters since September 27, 1958, thanks to a Barker header after just 20 minutes, sending the 3600 travelling Stags fans wild. What a way to mark a milestone in league history! The other 21th century Nottinghamshire FL derbies have ended in 2-2 draws, the first thanks to an Iyseden Christie injury time equalizer on November 9, 2002, the second one seen and Stagsnet reported by the writer himself on March 4, 2006. For more details on these derbies, see the Match Centre for the corresponding campaign.

Earlier this season, the sides shared four goals at Field Mill. On October 7, 2006, when the previewer was in Stockholm over the weekend, among other things watching the EC Qualifier Sweden v Spain, yet was able to have a check at the ongoings in Stagsland, the Stags went 2-0 thanks to two Reet strikes, then were undone big style by a Premiership referee returning from a one-month suspension. The name: Dermot Gallagher. He firstly wrongfully disallowed a third Danny Reet goal just before half-time, secondly wrongfully dismissed Matt Hamshaw early on in the second half. These two very poor (not even Conf North-style) decisions cost the Stags two points preventing County from getting their then only second league reverse. But just like last season, County have faltered badly mid-term. Before last season's Meadow Lane derby, the Magpies had lost five league games on the bounce. And now, County have fallen below the Stags in the League Two table and did so the other night when the Stags narrowly beat Chester at home. This was also the Stags' third consecutive League three-pointer and this was the first time since September-October 2003, starting with the epic 2-1 win at Cambridge, the side had managed that feat in the League. On the other hand, the Magpies haven't registered a three-pointer for five games. The latest County victim were Lincoln, beaten 3-1 at Meadow Lane on February 3, 2007.

In brief, a few highlights from last season's Meadow Lane derby on March 4, 2006, watched by over 3700 Stags fans including the writer of these lines: Just before half-time, an accurate Palmer strike gave County the lead. But on the hour mark, the 4000 travelling Stags fans went wild. First, Laurence Wilson scored his only Stags goal, left-footed. And only moments later, King Barker headed the Stags in front. Although Chillingworth, then Magpie loanee, equalized, the Stags were very, very close to get a winner. In the last minute, Coke rounded ex-Stag Pilkington only to hit the post.

Another interesting fact is: Which reception will Billy Dearden get on Saturday? After leaving the Stags in January 2002, Dearden took up the County hot seat and did wonders by keeping them up at current League One level under very difficult circumstances for two seasons (was County manager in 2002-03) before he was axed just two years later, a 2003-04 season ending in relegation to the basement. Billy is now in his second spell at the Stags and has managed six wins in thirteen league games since his return. And of the ex-Stags currently representing the Magpies, Junior Mendes played in the 0-2 defeat at Peterborough last Saturday, while Kevin Pilkington hasn't played since the 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury on February 20.

The teams first met in 1937-38, when the Stags were moved to the southern section of the old third division due to the relegation of Barnsley and Stockport from the old 2nd division with the effect of both those sides being placed in the old Div 3 (N).

The Stags lost both games against County in the 1937-38 season. The crowds then: 13632 at Meadow Lane and 11190 at Field Mill. The following season, the last before the outbreak of World War II, saw the first Stags win against County, a 2-0 on November 12, 1938 in front of 9852, who saw Turner and Dutton dispose of the Magpies. That season also saw the first Stags away point at Meadow Lane, a 1-1 draw on March 18, 1939, Harkin hitting the net in front of 11629.

After World War II, the teams have been playing in the same league on a little more than dozen occasions up to the current season. The first post-war derby was played at Field Mill on November 23, 1946, when a solitary Copestake strike was enough to send the Magpies a few miles down the road empty-handed in front of 10899. But the away game at Meadow Lane on March 29, 1947, turned out to be the Stags' worst-ever disaster in Nottinghamshire derbies as the Stags were felled to a 5-1 scoreline with Betts netting the consolation watched by 12157.

The sides also clashed in the Stags' solitary season in the old 2nd division in 1977-78, when the Magpies won both fixtures. Attendances then: 12827 at Field Mill, 10587 at Meadow Lane. The derby attendances in 1971-72 were even better: 16905 at Meadow Lane, 16758 at Field Mill. The biggest Stags win in league games was a 4-0 thumping on September 16, 1963 with three goals from Roy Chapman and one from Scanlon in front of the Stags' second highest home gate that season, 16560, a gate which was marginally bettered on February 8, 1964, when the eventual Champions and later First Division and Premiership side Coventry were sent beaten 3-2 in front of 16755. And in the inaugural season of the old third division, the Stags did their first double over the Magpies, as the Stags won the home fixture 3-0 (gate 13376) and the away one 4-3 (attendance 16510) – thus being the Stags-County game producing most league goals. The second one was achieved in 2004-05, starting with the stuffing of the Magpies to a convincing 3-1 scoreline that should have been even higher, i.e. due to hitting the woodwork and missing a penalty, on October 16, 2004.

... and the teams have never played a goal-less league game at Field Mill, compared to one, on December 26, 1986, at Meadow Lane, with the Stags scoring in all leagues fixtures bar one at the Mill.

As expected, several players have played for the Stags as well as for the Magpies. One of the first is believed to be Edwin Clare, playing even in the Mansfield Wesleyans days – and some of the latest being Tony Lormor and Darren Ward. Even the Stags' first International, John McClelland, did play a few games for County in their latest season in the top flight, 1991-92 (and this before the introduction of the Premier League). The most recent ones are Kevin Pilkington and Andy White, even more recent are Tom Curtis and Junior Mendes. Tom Curtis is no longer at Meadow Lane. According to reports, Curtis now plays for Conference North club Nuneaton, the side which last season took Premiership Middlesbrough to an FA Cup Third Round replay.

Played for both sides: Ian Baraclough, Brian Bates, Charlie Bisby, Roy Brown, Colin Calderwood, Gary Chapman, Steven Cherry, Trevor Christie, Edwin Clare (even in Mansfield Wesleyans days!!!), David Coates, William Coole, John B Cottam (1920's), Reg Cropper, Tom Curtis, William Death, Bill Dickson, Dick Edwards, Wayne Fairclough, Len Featherby, Paul Gibson, Jimmy Heathcote, Simeon Hodson, Colin Hoyle, David Hunt, Glynn Hurst, John Jepson, Jimmy Jones, Harry Keeling, Ben Le Grice, Richard Lee, Tony Lormor, John McClelland, Arthur Mann, Gary Martindale, George Mee, Junior Mendes, Bobby Mimms, Brian Moore, Harry Moore, Kevin Pilkington, Don O'Riordan, Nicky Platnauer, Llewellyn Price, Kevin Randall, Charlie Reed, Mike Rose, Fred Shaw, Lance Sheldon, Paul Sherlock, Stephen Slawson, Chris Staniforth, Phil Stant, Arthur Staples, Murray Steele, George Stimpson, John Streets, Adrian Thorpe, Mick Vinter, Darren Ward, Alfred West, Andy White, Chris Withe.

Managed both sides: Bill Dearden, Mick Jones, Harry Parkes, Harry Weightman (only manager who's been in charge of all three Nottinghamshire League clubs!). Assistant manager for both sides: John Gannon.

Home games: P 16, W 6, D 4, L 6, GF 27, GA 23
Away games: P 15, W 2, D 5, L 8, GF 15, GA 27

Season Home Date Away Date

1937-38 1-2 1938-04-09 0-2 1937-10-07 Div 3 (S)
1938-39 2-0 1938-11-12 1-1 1939-03-18 Div 3 (S)
1946-47 1-0 1946-11-23 1-5 1947-03-29 Div 3 (S)
1958-59 3-0 1959-02-14 4-3 1958-09-27 Div 3 (old)
1963-64 4-0 1963-09-16 0-1 1963-10-03 Div 3 (old)
1971-72 1-1 1972-02-26 0-2 1971-11-06 Div 3 (old)
1977-78 1-3 1977-10-29 0-1 1978-03-21 Div 2 (old)
1986-87 1-2 1987-04-21 0-0 1986-12-26 Div 3 (old)
1987-88 1-1 1987-10-11 1-1 1988-03-12 Div 3 (old)
1988-89 1-1 1988-10-01 1-2 1989-02-04 Div 3 (old)
1989-90 1-3 1989-11-04 2-4 1990-05-05 Div 3 (old)
1997-98 0-2 1998-01-31 0-1 1997-09-13 Div 3
2002-03 3-2 2003-02-08 2-2 2002-11-09 Div 2
2004-05 3-1 2004-10-16 1-0 2005-02-05 League Two
2005-06 2-3 2005-08-29 2-2 2006-03-04 League Two
2006-07 2-2 2006-10-07 (at Field Mill) League Two

League Cup:

1966-67 1-1 1966-08-24 (1st round at Meadow Lane)
1966-67 3-0 1966-08-29 (1st round replay at Field Mill)
1969-70 3-1 1969-08-13 (1st round at Field Mill)
1988-89 0-5 1988-08-30 (1st round, 1st leg at Meadow Lane)
1988-89 1-0 1988-09-06 (1st round, 2nd leg at Field Mill, Notts Co through 5-1 on aggregate)
2001-02 3-4 2001-08-21 (1st round at Field Mill)

Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag (pictured, above right)

 

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