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Archived News from November 2002

NOTTS IN BID TO PFA
6th November 2002 13:14


BY PAUL TAYLOR AND IAN WILKERSON, Evening Post, 06 November 2002

Notts County were today seeking permission to bring in a new defender before Saturday's derby match against Mansfield Town.

The Magpies and the Stags are both racing to beef up their defences after their squads were devastated by injuries and suspensions.

Notts manager Billy Dearden revealed today that Notts had appealed to the PFA and the Football League for permission to bring in another loan player.

With as many as SEVEN defenders set to miss the Meadow Lane clash, the Magpies are hoping the players' union will make an exception to its guidelines.

Dearden said: "Given the situation we are in, it would be a huge boost to be able to bring a player in on loan."

The main stumbling block is that the cash-strapped club still owe some bonuses and wages to players from last season.

But the Magpies hope the PFA will be appeased by the fact that the club's fight to come out of administration looks close to ending.

The situation has been eased by a £40,000 windfall, after it was announced that highlights from the FA Cup clash with Southport are to be featured on the BBC.

Dearden, who cannot move without PFA permission, added: "We have asked the question. We are still waiting to find out if it will be possible but I do have a number of targets in mind."

And he joked: "Anyone who can play in the centre of defence will do, to be honest."

Nicky Fenton and Ian Richardson are suspended, while Simon Ramsden, Craig Ireland, Danny Stone and Richard Holmes - all of whom could operate in the heart of defence - are injured.

Ian Baraclough has returned to training in the last few days, but has not played a game since he badly injured his ankle at Luton on September 14.

Of the others, Craig Ireland has the best chance of recovery, but Notts could still be forced to improvise.

Dearden added: "If we can't bring anyone in we will just have to cope with the situation as best as we can.

"We have players here who can fill in in the role and that is what will have to happen, though there is still a good chance that some of these lads could play.

"Craig Ireland should be OK, while we will be keeping a careful eye on Ramsden and Stone.

"There is also a very slim chance that Baraclough will be back but we won't be taking any risks where he is concerned."

Meanwhile, Stags' injury crisis shows little sign of abating, with manager Stuart Watkiss having only 12 professionals available.

On-loan Forest man Tony Vaughan is fighting to be fit for the big clash after aggravating a back injury in Friday's 4-2 win over Colchester. Watkiss has only 12 professionals available.

Youth team keeper Jason White, defender Danny Holyoak and Mark Hurst are set for the substitutes bench, probably with Jamie Clarke and Danny Bacon.

Defence is the main problem area, as Neil Moore is suspended and David Jervis, Allen Tankard and Bobby Hassell are all injured. Dion Scott has only just returned to training after a pre-season shoulder operation.

Ruled out: Stags and Notts count cost of injuries

MANSFIELD TOWN

BOBBY HASSELL (knee): Played only one game this season but expected to be back in full training next week.

ALLEN TANKARD (knee): Making progress towards a return to training after missing the season to date.

DAVID JERVIS (foot): Should return to training in a couple of weeks having not been in action since August.

TONY VAUGHAN (back): Rated doubtful for the big clash on Saturday.

SCOTT SELLARS (ankle): Sellars (pictured) twisted ligaments in the 4-2 win over Colchester on Friday and will be out for a month.

DION SCOTT (shoulder): Had an operation in the summer and returned to full training this week. Will need reserve football before coming back.

MICHAEL SISSON (knee): Has been out of action for two years after a series of knee operations but should be back in training in the next six weeks.

COLIN LARKIN (hamstring): Continuing to make progress from an injury picked up in the LDV Vans Trophy defeat against Crewe.

NEIL MOORE: Suspended - picked up fifth booking of the season in the LDV Vans Trophy defeat against Crewe.

NOTTS COUNTY

SIMON RAMSDEN (thigh): Struggling to regain fitness from a strain he picked up in last week's draw with Swindon.

DANNY STONE (groin): Still assessing damage after picking up injury in Saturday's abandoned game at Bristol City.

RICHARD HOLMES (leg): Injured in training last week after a period out of favour at Meadow Lane.

CRAIG IRELAND (thigh): Injured in last week's reserve game at Scunthorpe.

IAN BARACLOUGH (ankle): Injured ligaments at Luton in September and hasn't featured since.

NICKY FENTON: Suspended - misses the game after picking up five bookings.

IAN RICHARDSON: Suspended - serves the first game of a two-match ban following his sending-off at Chesterfield.

Five of the greatest clashes between Notts County and Mansfield Town

September 16, 1963

Football League Division Three

MANSFIELD 4, NOTTS COUNTY 0

A hat-trick from Roy Chapman and a goal from Albert Scanlon was enough for Mansfield to see off their Nottinghamshire rivals.

Chapman, whose son Lee went on to capture a Division One championship winners' medal with Leeds United, scored 19 goals that season as Stags finished seventh in the table.

He was a distance behind the great Ken Wagstaff, who netted 29 goals in 46 matches that season.

August 13, 1969

League Cup First Round

MANSFIELD 3, NOTTS COUNTY 1

This was the last time Stags beat the Magpies in a competitive game.

Former Notts winger Brian Bates got the Stags off to a flying start and his shot was deflected off Mick Jones for the second.

Phil Waller scored the third goal before Richie Barker, who went on to manage Notts, added a consolation for the Magpies.

Stags were knocked out by QPR after a replay in the next round.

August 30, 1989

Littlewoods Cup first round, first leg

NOTTS 5, MANSFIELD 0

Mansfield were actually grateful that the scoreline was not more severe as the Magpies ran riot, inspired by a hat-trick from Ian McParland.

Further goals from Geoff Pike and Gary Mills completed the rout and earned Notts a second round tie against Spurs - which they only lost by 3-2 on aggregate over two legs.

May 5, 1990

NOTTS 4, MANSFIELD 2

On the face of things this match was of little consequence. Notts had secured third place in the Division Three table - and a place in the play-offs - and Mansfield were well clear of the relegation zone.

Perhaps that was the reason why it proved to be such an entertaining encounter. Goals from Gary Lund and Phil Turner and a double strike from Tommy Johnson put the Magpies in the driving seat.

Stags hit back through Kevin Kent and a penalty from former Magpie Trevor Christie.

August 21, 2001

MANSFIELD 3, NOTTS 4

Danny Allsopp must be the only player in history to score a hat-trick in the space of ten minutes and still have the limelight snatched away from him.

The fact that Chris Greenacre hit the back of the net twice and Andy White added another for Mansfield also fell by the wayside, after goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall grabbed the headlines for himself.

The Notts keeper's huge clearance bounced once, just inside the box, before looping over opposite number Kevin Pilkington and into the back of the net.

 

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