July:
Following an auction on Notts' official club website to become a member of the playing staff at Notts, a new member of the squad was announced. David Bayliss came out on top in the bidding war, earning himself a place in the squad. He was been allocated the number 55 shirt, and appears on the squad list for all home and away games for the 2002-2003 season.
Billy Dearden was keen to increase his squad, especially at the back, and he brought in Malta international Luke Dimech on trial from Sliema Wanderers. With 17 international caps to his name, he was hoping to make an impression at Meadow Lane.
More trialists arrived ahead of Notts' first preseason game against Hucknall. Steve Foster arrived from Bristol Rovers and Anthony Fenton, twin brother of Nicky, both teamed up with the squad.
The Magpies first pre-season game was at Hucknall, which Notts won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ian Baraclough and Paul Bolland. And just a few days later Ilkeston Town were the opposition and yet again Notts ran out winners. 5-0 was the score this time with goals from Bolland 2, Stallard, Caskey and Heffernan.
Notts headed off down to the south coast on a pre-season tour straight after the game with Ilkeston, and returned home with their 100% record intact. A 3-0 win at Porthleven was followed up by a 15-1 win over Newquay. That is no typing error, Notts won 15-1!!!!!!
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Meanwhile, defender Ian Richardson put pen to paper on a new one year deal after weeks of talks. The centre half stalled on a new deal during last season, and eventually signed just a week before the new season was to begin.
August:
The month of August began with Notts losing their final pre-season game to Derby County. Notts were beaten 3-1 at Meadow Lane with Danny Allsopp getting Notts' goal, all the preparation was almost complete for the long season ahead.
Ahead of the game with Wycombe on the seasons opening day Notts suffered a major blow with 3 transfer deals falling through. Steve Foster who was on trial was not allowed to sign due to a transfer embargo and he joined Doncaster Rovers, while Simon Ramden's loan deal from Sunderland was put on hold. Meanwhile, Les Robinson, who was released by Mansfield Town turned down a move to Meadow Lane.
Meanwhile the sponsorship with Aaron Scargill fell through after the company went into liquidation, leaving Notts looking for a sponsor just days before the seasons start.
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Just days later, Notts pulled off a cracking result against Crewe at Gresty Road, with Notts winning 3-0. Crewe were hot tips for promotion and for Notts to go to Alex and come away 3-0 winners was a superb result. At the time of writing this article Crewe had conceeded just 6 goals at home, with Notts getting half of them. For the record Allsopp 2 and Mark Stallard got the goals.
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Notts got another decent result against another of the sides relegated from Division 1 last season. The Magpies travelled to Stockport and picked up a handy 0-0 draw, with Stockport missing a first half penalty which slammed against the post.
Dearden's side made it 3 games without a goal with another 0-0 draw at Barnsley and 2-0 defeat to Wigan in their next 2 games, before ending the month with a 2-2 draw against Brentford at Meadow Lane. Notts lead 2-0 with Stallard and Heffernan on target, before The Bee's fought back to get a point and leave Notts without a home win in the opening month.
September:
The month started with Notts facing Oldham twice in a matter of days, in the league and Worthington Cup. The league game at Meadow Lane saw Notts beaten 3-1, as their poor home form continued. Despite going ahead thanks to Heffernan, Oldham fought back to claim all 3 points. Just days later it was up to Boundary Park for the Cup match, with Notts again the losers. 3-2 this time, with Stallard & Heffernan getting the goals with Notts going out to a late goal.
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Another midweek game followed, with a ex Notts player scoring the winner. In a topsy turvy game at Vale Park against Port Vale, Notts were once again the losers by 3-2. Bolland and Allsopp were once again the scorers, but Brett Angell headed a late winner to give Vale the points and get his second goal of the game.
Losing was becoming abit of a habit as Notts lost once again following the Vale defeat. This time it was Cardiff City who came away from Meadow Lane with all 3 points. A first half goal from Gary Croft was the decider in a poor game, with Darren Caskey coming closest as Billy Dearden's side continued to struggle. Dearden was clearly unimpressed after the game, hitting out at the lack of effort showed by his players.
Saul Deeney had a trial at Premiership side Blackburn Rovers near the end of the month, and they were impressed with what they saw. However nothing could happen until the transfer window opened in January, so until then Deeney would remain a Notts player if they wanted to sign him up permanently.
The month ended with a 4-1 win at Cheltenham, which put a smile back on the faces on Notts fans. Stallard and Allsopp got Notts off to the perfect start as Notts lead 2-0 after 2 minutes, and both later added another goal to round off a disapointing the month.
October:
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Tony Hackworth picked up a knee injury at the start of the month in a reserve game, that saw him have to have a minor operation that ruled him out for a month, but with Allsopp, Stallard and Heffernan all ahead of him in the team he was not getting a look in.
On the 12th October Notts travelled to Huddersfield and gave without doubt their worst performance of the season to date, with Town running out 3-0 winners. The Magpies were totally outplayed and shocked little fight or passion infront of a 938 strong following at The McAlpine Stadium. Darren Caskey took the most stick out of that game, with fans paying for his blood after a lacklusture performance.
After the shocking display, a boost was needed and Notts got 2 in the space of a few days. First of all Jeff Whitley arrived on a months loan from Man City, he was a big hit with the fans when on loan last season and proved a valuble asset during the Great Escape. Then the day after Notts beat Northampton 2-1 at Meadow Lane with a late goal from Paul Heffernan, after Mark Stallard had earlier given Notts the lead.
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And Ian Richardson would also miss the game with Mansfield after being sent off in the 0-0 draw at Chesterfield, with Notts keeping their first clean sheet since August. Richardson was sent off for a late challenge on Marcus Ebdon, with both the clubs centre halfs ruled out of the game against The Stags.
The month ended with a 1-1 draw with Swindon Town, with Paul Bolland getting a late leveller after Sam Parkin gave Swindon the lead. Paul Heffernan hit the post late on and Notts missed a hoast of chances in the second half.
November:
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Michael Brough boosted Notts ahead of the local derby with Mansfield on the 2nd Saturday of the month with the news he had been called up for the Welsh U21 squad in a few weeks time.
The Mansfield game saw Notts without Ian Richardson & Nick Fenton suspended and others injured, saw Notts snapped up Duncan Jupp and Jon Ashton on loan from Wimbledon & Leicester City respectivly.
With Notts still struggling financialy, Notts were boosted with the news that their Fa Cup tie with Southport would be featured on Match of the Day, meaning an extra £40,000 for both clubs.
The local derby with Mansfield proved to be a cracker, with both sets of fans being served a real treat in a 2-2 draw. Notts fell behind early on, before Liburd and then a Caskey cracker gave Notts the lead. However, a late late goal from Christie got The Stags level, despite him being clearly offside. However, both sides deserved a draw.
Paul Bolland broke a bone in his foot that ruled him out until the new year against Mansfield, a major blow as the hardworking midfielder had impressed so far in the season and was scoring plenty of goals.
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Michael Brough made his U21 debut for Wales following the Southport game, with the midfielder coming on for the last 30 minutes and impressing for the Welsh, hitting the bar late on with a screamer of a shot.
A Fans Forum was arranged before the Colchester game, with Billy Dearden, Albert Scardino, Paul Bolland, Ian Richardson & Tony Cuthbert on the panel answering questions the supporters wanted to know, with plenty of points made by fans and plenty of interesting answers from the fans.
After a positive response at the Fans Forum, Notts served up a poor performance against Colchester with The U's getting a late winner after Notts had turned around a 0-1 scoreline to be ahead 2-1 with Allsopp & Brough on target before losing to the boys from Layer Road.
The month ended with a 1-1 draw at Blackpool, with Ian Baraclough scoring a belting free kick in the 2nd half to earn Notts a hard earned point.
December:
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Billy Dearden gave a trial to Portsmouth midfielder Neil Barrett, who featured in a couple of reserve games with the possibility of signing on loan in the new year once his fitness had improved following him just returning from a knee injury.
Loanee Jon Ashton departed Meadow Lane following an injury which meant he had to return to Leicester City, however the other loanee Duncan Jupp extended his loan spell for another month.
Notts returned to action on 14th December, and following their 10 day break they responded brilliantly with a win over 6th placed QPR, by 3-0. Liburd, Fenton and Allsopp got the goals that lifted Deardens men out of the bottom 4, Allsopp getting his 10th of the season.
A week later and another decent performance, coming back from 2-0 down at Tranmere in the final minute. Tranmere were 2 up by the 11th minute, but Mark Stallard hit a penalty to make it 2-1 before the half was out. Stallard grabbed the leveller in stoppage time as Rovers ended up with 9 players on the pitch with 2 players red carded.
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The Magpies ended the year with a 1-0 defeat at Plymouth, Hasney Ajofree getting the games only goal early in the 2nd half as Notts ended the year in 17th place in Division 2.