Matthew Somner
League Appearances: 47 (+ 7 sub)
League Goals: 1
Cup Games: 7 (+1 sub)
Cup Goals: 0
Imagine the joy of the fans after finding out that Notts hadn't signed another ex-Boston United player, only to discover that Steve Thompson had recruited a defensive-midfielder from a bottom-half Conference side that had shipped 74 goals. The man, Matthew Somner.
Somner was signed on a free transfer from Aldershot Town, being hailed as a "tough tackling midfielder". This was true enough. The only problem being, he was usually too slow to get to the ball, conceding many fouls in the process. He picked up 13 yellow cards and one red card during his two years at the club.
Somner was a regular starter in his first season, beginning the 06/07 campaign alongside Ian Ross in the centre of midfield.
Soon it began to appear that he was one of Thompson's favourites, often chose in favour of the soon to be released Dan Martin. This bewildered County supporters somewhat, as Martin had been frequently banging them in.
So it then emerged that Somner and Gary Silk were to battle it out for a place as the holding-midfielder in the starting eleven throughout Thompson's reign.
Upon Ian McParland's arrival, the ex-Cambridge man fell to the very bottom of the pecking order, with the likes of Butcher, MacKenzie, Strachan, Smith and Silk all preferred. Clearly the new boss didn't think that he was up to the job and it could be said that 99 percent of Notts fans agreed.
Somner's last game for Notts was way back in December, limiting his appearances to just 16 this campaign. This was quite a contrast to the season prior, where he was almost an ever-present.
Despite his efforts, Somner will follow in the footsteps of former midfielders Lee Crooks and Matthew Gill, taking his place in the easy come, easy go category.