Notts County v Derby County/York City

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opposition york city SATURDAY 7 AUGUST KICK-OFF 3PM In many ways, the fortunes of York City and Notts County mirror each other. Both clubs have a proud record of having graced the Football League, while their exploits in the FA Cup, albeit now well in the past, have written them into the history books of that famous old competition. Currently both find themselves outside the EFL, but they share a steely determination to return there at the earliest opportunity. York have further to go, as they will begin the new season bidding for promotion from Vanarama National League North, but with manager Steve Watson and his team having enjoyed a successful preseason so far, with victory over Newcastle United and a draw with Sunderland the highlights, hopes are high of a successful campaign. The fact that the Minstermen were showing promotionchasing form when last season’s league programme was brought to a sudden end by Covid-19, and the boost of the club moving to an impressive new home, the LNER Community Stadium, mean that there are plenty of reasons for City fans to be optimistic about a brighter future. Many times in the past they have bounced back from relegations Below: York City players celebrate winning the FA Trophy final against Macclesfield Town at Wembley Stadium Page 11: Clayton Donaldson has joined the York City strike force this season 10
opposition insider DAN SIMMONITE, York City’s Media Officer, answers our questions about how the Minstermen are gearing up for what looks to be an exciting season. and they have also upset some big fish in the FA Cup. City achieved their highest ever League position in October 1974, when they reached the dizzy heights of fifth in Division Two, while their FA Cup exploits include becoming the first thirdtier club to reach the semi-finals, taking Newcastle United to a replay in 1955 before bowing out, while in later years they claimed the scalp of Arsenal and, twice in consecutive seasons, took a Liverpool team then feared throughout Europe to replays, both of which they lost. They find themselves in their current position following consecutive relegations, dropping out of the Football League in 2016 and losing their National League status the following season, with victory over Macclesfield in the FA Trophy final at Wembley providing scant consolation. But now, like Notts, they are a club looking forwards, and the over 8,000 all-seater new stadium they moved into in January is the perfect base from which to launch themselves up the pyramid. While for many leaving Bootham Crescent, the club’s home since 1932, was a wrench, the stateof-the-art facilities, which the club share with the city’s rugby league team, should allow them to maximise opportunities both on and off the pitch. Q York were in a promising position to bid for promotion from Vanarama National League North when last season was brought to a premature close due to the pandemic. What are the club’s aspirations for the coming campaign? A Last season was a bit of a write-off due to the stop-start nature of the campaign. At one point we didn’t know until the morning before a game that we weren’t playing as other teams didn’t want to participate due to the absence of crowds and lack of funding. It prevented us from getting a run of games and that no doubt affected our ability on the pitch. This season, like any other, we make no secret that our goal is promotion and this feels like our year following some exciting new signings and the move to our new stadium! Q You have had an encouraging pre-season so far, including wins over Newcastle United and Middlesbrough and a draw with Sunderland, so can Notts expect a tough work-out at Meadow Lane? A It’s been a very good pre-season so far. Both Newcastle and Sunderland played full-strength sides and we didn’t look four or five leagues apart, as we are, and that is testament to the effort and quality the team put into both performances. Last season York beat Notts in a pre-season friendly but this year I would expect both sides to be even stronger and it should be a good game. Q What style of play can Notts fans expect to see from City under manager Steve Watson? A Steve likes to build from the back, so you can expect a strong core to the squad. With the fire power we now have up front you should expect a very attacking team – maybe similar in style to what Watson was used to when playing under Kevin Keegan at Newcastle. Q Have any players left the club who you will miss, and which of your exciting signings could figure in this game? A In the summer we had a few switch arounds in terms of playing personnel, with notable players like Jack Redshaw being released. However, Steve Watson has brought in a whole new strike force, including some real big hitters like Clayton Donaldson and, most recently, Mark Beck, who joins on loan from Harrogate. Add in Kurt Willoughby and Jason Gilchrist and you could say we have one of the best front lines in the league, which is a very exciting prospect for the upcoming season. Q You had not long moved into your new home, the LNER Community Stadium, before last season was halted. How much of a boost will playing there give to the development of all your squads, not just the first team, and also in terms of commercial and other opportunities? A The boost is massive. The whole feeling around the club is different and very positive moving into a new facility which is fitting for a club of our size. It was very sad to be leaving Bootham Crescent but this new stadium should provide the impetus the club needs to climb back up the leagues. 11
Page 1 and 2: official matchday programme ||| £3
Page 3 and 4: NOTTS COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB Meadow L
Page 5 and 6: HEAD COACH ian burchnall A very war
Page 7 and 8: clubnewsclubnewsclu newsclubnewsclu
Page 9: opposition insider TOM LOAKES, who
Page 13 and 14: guides to how the team is gelling a
Page 15 and 16: pre-season action Coalville 0 Notts
Page 17 and 18: #14 Ed Francis 21-year-old holding
Page 19 and 20: Our ticketing and e-commerce manage
Page 21: young young pies pies anagrams anag
Page 24 and 25: 2021-22 Player Sponsors hc IAN BURC
Page 26 and 27: SEASONAL HOSPITALITY 2021-22 Benefi
Page 28 and 29: 2021-22 fixtures and results AUGUST
Page 30 and 31: ON THE BALL WITH YOUR TECHNOLOGY Sh
Page 32: team sheet notts county 1 Sam Sloco

Notts County v Derby County/York City

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