January:
Dearden & Storrie On Jan 7th When Dearden Was Appointed
The year began with Notts' game against Wigan being called off due to a frozen pitch, with a big freeze sweeping over the country and a huge number of games being called off.
The first player to depart in the new year was loanee James Quinn, on loan from WBA, he departed after the player failed to agree terms over the move.
The biggest piece of news at Meadow Lane in January was the arrival of Billy Dearden on Monday 7th January as manager, replacing Gary Brazil following a shocking run of results. Brazil moved to Assistant and Dearden took control of the side, after he quit Mansfield Town to come to Meadow Lane. Dearden took Gary Owers off the transfer list as he wanted to give every player in the squad a chance to prove themselves before making any decisions about their futures.
The first game on the month saw Notts defeat Cambridge 2-0 at The Abbey Stadium and got Billy Dearden off to a winning start. Late goals from Darren Caskey & Paul Heffernan secured the points, and lifted The Magpies out of the bottom 4.
However, it was back down to earth with a bump in the next game with Notts being defeated 3-1 by Port Vale in Dearden's home debut. Notts were 2-0 down by the break, and Nick Fenton's late goal was all the Magpies had to show.
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With Notts struggling in the relegation zone and staring relegation in the face, Danny Allsopp and Marcel Cas were linked with moves away from the club, but Deputy Chairman Peter Storrie denied that any player would be leaving The Magpies squad.
Two more defeats followed, 3-0 against Wycombe & Northampton and the game against Northampton was described "Complete And Utter Crap" by Notts fans with relegation looking a certainty.
The Magpies ended the month 22nd in Division 2, 4 points adrift of safety and having played more games than those around them.
February:
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Meanwhile, problems began off the pitch with the news that the players wages had not been paid to January and a transfer embargo was being slapped on The Magpies, leaving Notts with some HUGE problems. Selling Chairman Derek Pavis said he would step in a retake charge of the Notts should Albert Scardino & Peter Storrie not stick to the takeover deadline.
Things got even worse on the pitch, with Reading hitting a last minute winner against Notts following a determined performance. Richard Liburd put Notts ahead, before Forster levelled the scores and Cureton hit a late late winner to send Notts crashing to 23rd in Division 2, and there looked to be no way back for Notts.
High flying Stoke were next at Meadow Lane, and The Magpies battled out a 0-0 draw with Tony Hackworth giving a good performance against The Potters. Despite a well earned point it was not enough, and Notts remained 23rd and the news that the loan money that Albert Scardino & Peter Storrie were expecting may not come through for months, leaving Notts in a desperate state.
Just days later, Notts had yet another defeat, this time 3-1 at home to Wigan. Notts ended up with 9 men on the pitch, with Ian Baraclough sent off and having used all 3 subs scorer Ian Richardson was taken off injured with a shoulder injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
News broke out on 22nd February that Notts could go into administration, as NCM reported....."Financially-stricken Notts County will be forced to call in the administrators after building up debts thought to be as much as £5m — unless Albert Scardino and Peter Storrie can complete a re-negotiated takeover deal in the next seven days."
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On the Monday, it got worse. Once again NCM brought you the news as it happened....."Peter Storrie has resigned as Executive Deputy Chairman of Notts County Football Club. Also, Derek Pavis will be asking for the resignation of Albert Scardino in tomorows emergency board meeting." Director David Rhodes put a consortium together to buy the club, and there was also a number of interested parties.
In the middle of all the boardroom politics, the turning point of Notts' season arrived but little did we know it that evening. The Magpies battled out a 1-1 draw with Colchester, with Danny Allsopp getting his first goal since Boxing Day. The club was in an awful state, and little did we know what was lying ahead of Notts fans in the next two months, something none of us could forget. Meanwhile, Darren Caskey was linked with a move to Brighton.
March:
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It was more good news on the Tuesday after, with Notts claiming their second win on the bounce 1-0 at Peterborough. Paul Heffernan's 5th minute goal secured the points, with Posh having David Farrell sent off for kicking the ball at Darren Caskey in retaliation. Posh had a Jimmy Bullard screamer ruled out for no apparent reason, the luck was finally going for Bill Dearden's side. Not only did Notts get 3 vital points, Albert Scardino completed the takeover that evening.
Peter Storrie, who had previously laughed off speculation he was to join Portsmouth at Cheif Executive, joined Pompey in that role. Storrie was now the guy to blame for the clubs financial situation, while just walking out on the club during their hour of need.
9th March 2002, after two wins in a week Notts travelled to Bury who were like Notts struggling in Division 2, while their financila situation was so desparate that collections were being made outside the ground. However, Notts were not so generous on the pitch as Billy Dearden's side crushed The Shakers 4-0, YES 4-0! 3-0 up by half time, with a back on form Allsopp getting 2 goals and Paul Heffernan firing home as well. Marcel Cas added a 4th early in the second half, and it was a total transformation from the side that had only won 2 times in 19 games before the start of the month.
It was all change in the boardroom as well, with John Mounteney departing from the board and Peter Joyce, Doug Ward and John Scardino (Albert's brother) all arriving on the board.
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Notts made it four wins on the trot on 16th March, with a 2-0 win over Bristol City. Marcel Cas and Paul Heffernan got the goals, as Notts also get four clean sheets on the bounce. By now "The Great Escape" was going down a treat with Notts fans with the theme tune being sung by Notts fans, and the best news yet arrived with Notts climbing out the relegation zone.
The transfer embargo was lifted, with Notts needing to raise £75,000, they raised well over £100,000 and Billy Dearden was given the go ahead to bring in new blood. And just days later, Jeff Whitley was brought in on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season. Whitley was out of favour at City behind the likes of Berkovic & Bernabia.
Rotherham United also made a £300,000 bid for free scoring Danny Allsopp, which of course Notts turned down hands down. Allsopp had been in excellent form, and Notts believed and still do, it would cost around £1 Million to get him off Notts' books.
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Notts ended the month with a triple boost ahead of the relegation battle run in. Firstly Darren Caskey denied he would be leaving Notts, his performances were vastly improved of late and lead by example during his time as captain. Secondly, Notts claimed a vital win over relegation rivals Bournemouth at Meadow Lane, with Danny Allsopp netting both in Notts' 2-0 win. Finally, Notts boss Billy Dearden was rightly named Manager of the Month in Divison 2 following a superb run of results.
April:
April Fools Day, and Notts were the fools at Loftus Road as they let a 2-0 lead slip against QPR. Paul Heffernan & Ian Baraclough netted early on for Notts, before QPR pulled on back right on half time and set Rangers on their way. A late goal from Foley sent Notts back into the bottom four.
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Ahead of the trip to Cardiff, Notts were boosted by the news that Mark Stallard & Paul Riley could be back for the final match of the season against Huddersfield if need be. Meanwhile, Henrik Jorgensen was released by Billy Dearden. The Dane returned to his old club B1909 in Denmark.
Defeat at Cardiff meant that the relegation scrap would go to the final game of the season, with Notts needing at least a point against Huddersfield. The Magpies had lead at Ninian Park through Richard Liburd, but two goals from set pieces cost Dearden's side.
Without doubt, 20th April 2002 was the best moment of the season for nearly every Notts County fan. Just 2 months before who would have believed it would have come to the final game of the season to be safe, and 16,000 fans packed into Meadow Lane. The atmosphere was superb, and all those who were doubting Notts' chances of beating the drop were silenced on 14 minutes when Allsopp headed home goal 29 of the season. Kevin Nicholson added a wonder goal to make it 2-0 before a late goal from Irons got Huddersfield back in the game. However, it was not enough and the final whistle was greeted by sighs of relief from Notts fans.
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With the season now over Notts decided they had to slash the wage bill over the summer and Gary Owers, Niall McNamara, John McCaig and Mark Warren were all released and Leam Richardson and Jeff Whitley returned to their clubs after loan spells at Meadow Lane.
Billy Dearden made it clear that he was desparate to keep Danny Allsopp at Meadow Lane after the final game, but admitted every player has his price, but unless a "ridiculous offer" comes in for the striker, the Magpies boss will not be entertaining any bids.
May:
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Notts secured the services of a number of highly rated players for their youth team by snapping up duo Eddie McIntyre and Emmet Friars. Friars inparticular was attracting interest from several Premiership clubs.
June:
June, the month that saw The Magpies go into Administration, after a proposed £1.7 Million loan guarantee from Nottingham City Council fell through. The Council believed that the deal was "a risk to public money"
Meadow Lane was renamed during June as "The Aaron Scargill Stadium" as part of a sponsorship deal with local estate agent Aaron Scargill. In total, the one-year arrangement will be worth around £180,000 to the Magpies, which could be vital in their battle for survival. It was thought the sponsorship of the ground was worth in excess of £100,000, while the separate kit sponsorship would earn the club around £50,000.
Due to The Magpies going into Administration, players were likely to be sold, and Notts accepted a bid from Oldham for winger Marcel Cas. The Dutchman however, would not agree personal terms with The Latics, and remained at Meadow Lane.