Notts County vs FC Halifax Town

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NOTTS COUNTY v FC HALIFAX TOWN
18
PEEKS AT THE PAST
Today’s guest writer is Geoff
Gibbs, who reminisces
about his seminal role
in founding the original
Notts County Ladies team.
Geoff started supporting
Notts in 1947 and he’s
subsequently been involved
with the Supporters’ Club,
the Patrons, the Centenary
Club, NCFPA and Lifeline.
He currently sponsors
Ruben Rodrigues’ shirt...
— NOTTS COUNTY LADIES
FC were founded during
the 1978-79 season, when a
group of ladies led by Tina
Godward wanted to form a
team to play friendly matches.
This was accomplished with
the help of Tina’s father, Bill,
and I. The team’s title was
agreed upon after consulting
Notts’ Chairman, Jack
Dunnett and Secretary, Neil
Hook and permission was
granted for the ‘1972 Black
and White Stripes’ to be used
as our registered kit.
A public address
announcement at a Notts
match stimulated sufficient
interest to raise a team and a
friendly fixture versus Hadden
Park was arranged. However
Memory Lane
Honorary Club Historian, Mick Chappell reflects on
times past with a little help from his friends...
this caused major problems
because playing against
registered league clubs or
non-registered Women’s
FA clubs was not allowed;
registering for both was the
only solution. Fortunately,
Birmingham City were in the
same situation so we initially
set up a friendly with them.
Our original players ranged
from schoolgirls to those in
their late 20s and early 30s, so
I organised suitable training
sessions on the Embankment
and at Wollaton Park until
a work colleague arranged
for Killisick Park at Arnold
to be used as our home
ground. Eventually we were
accepted into Division Two of
the Nottinghamshire Ladies’
League and I became the
club’s representative.
Predictably, when the
1978-79 season started
results went against us
but spirits stayed high and
performances improved so
much that Notts County
Ladies played a big part in
preserving the existence
of the Nottinghamshire
Ladies’ League after it
received a winding-up notice
from the WFA. After the
League Secretary resigned
I volunteered to succeed him
and responded positively
to WFA requirements at a
crucial meeting that ultimately
preserved the status of
our League.
Thereafter we achieved
our first League victory when
Selina McConville scored
in a 1-0 win over Lloyds
Ladies and a second victory
against County Canaries
eventually ensured that
we avoided bottom spot.
When Hucknall team, Byron
Rangers, disbanded two
of their best players joined
us and strengthened our
attack and defence so much
that we were invited to host