Opening Day FlashBack

Last updated : 03 August 2002 By

Mark Draper
1993-1994 Season:
Notts County 2-3 Middlesborugh
Division: 1st
Team: Cherry, Wilson, Johnson, Turner, Cox, Walker, Devlin, Draper, McSwegan, Reeves, Legg
Subs: Williams, Lund, Catlin
Manager: Mick Walker
Attendance: 9,392
Notts started off their season with a home match against Boro, who included current Notts player Richard Liburd. The Magpies gave debuts to Gary McSwegan and Andy Legg, signed over the summer. Notts trailed 3-0 early in the 2nd half, after goals from Paul Wilkinson and a Alan Moore brace. Notts fought back with goals from Mark Draper (Pen) and Gary Lund's neat volley.

1994-1995 Season:
Portsmouth 2-1 Notts County
Division: 1st
Team: Cherry, Hoyle, Johnson, Turner, Murphy, Yates, Agana, Legg, Lund, McSwegan, Simpson
Subs: Sherlock, Cox, Reece
Manager: Mick Walker
Attendance: 10,487
After just missing out on the Playoffs the year before, Notts started out at Fratton Park hoping that they could start off with a win. However, after falling behind, Gary McSwegan missed a 1st half penalty. Notts did get the goal they deserved when sub Paul Sherlock hammered Notts level, before Kit Symons scored a last minute goal to give Pompey all 3 points.
Dean Yates returned after a year out with injury, and Colin Hoyle made his debut after signing from Bradford City.

Gary Strodder
1995-1996 Season:
Wrexham 1-1 Notts County
Division: 2nd
Team: Ward, Mills, Walker, Turner, Strodder, Hogg, Devlin, Marsden, White, Agana, Legg
Subs: McSwegan, Nicol, Burridge
Manager: Colin Murphy & Steve Thompson
Attendance: 4,281
In Colin Murphy and Steve Thompson's 1st match, Notts were held to a draw at The RaceCourse. Notts led following a long range goal from Phil Turner, before Wrexham scored a penalty in the 2nd half.
Notts gave debuts to Darren Ward in goal, and Gary Strodder following their moves in the summer.

1996-1997 Season:
Notts County 2-1 Preston North End
Division: 2nd
Team: Ward, Derry, Baraclough, Wilder, Strodder, Hogg, Simpson, Robinson, Martindale, Arkins, Jones
Subs: Rogers, Hunt, Battersby
Manager: Colin Murphy & Steve Thompson
Attendance: 6,879
Following the Playoff defeat to Bradford, Notts had to get off to a good start to boost morale. Notts trailed to newly promoted Preston, before a 2nd half fight back secured 3 points. Firsly Gary Martindale levelled the scores, before Gary Jones hit the winner for Notts. Phil Robinson had his "debut" after returning to the club for Chesterfield in the summer.

Matt Redmile
1997-1998 Season:
Notts County 2-1 Rochdale
Division: 3rd
Team: Ward, Hendon, Pearce, Redmile, Derry, Finnan, Robinson, Dudley, Jones, Robson
Subs: Baraclough, White, Richardson
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Attendance: 4,173
Notts got a winning start after relegation, but left it late to seal the win. Notts took the lead on half time, with a Mark Robson penalty after a foul on Craig Dudley. Rochdale forced themselves level in the 2nd half, before a last minute winner from Matt Redmile, heading home a Robson corner, secured a win.
Dennis Pearce and Mark Robson made their debuts in the win, the 1st of many that season.

1998-1999 Season:
Oldham Ath 1-3 Notts County
Division: 2nd
Team: Ward, Hendon, Pearce, Redmile, Fairclough, Richardson, Owers, Hughes, Farrell, Jones, Murray
Subs: Billy, Torpey, Liburd
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Attendance: 5,709
Notts carried on where they had left off from their Championship season, hammerin Oldham at Boundary Park. Ian Richardson gave Notts the lead, kicking the ball out of Goalie Gary Kelly's hands, which the Ref didn't see and let the goal stand. Sean Farrell then nipped in with 2 goals, and Notts were 3-0 at half time. Oldham did get a late 2nd half goal, but Notts held on for an impressive start.
Notts bought a number of players in the summer, and handed debuts to Chris Fairclough, Gary Owers, Sean Murray, Steve Torpey, Chris Billy and Richard Liburd.

Clayton Blackmore
1999-2000 Season:
Notts County 0-0 Luton Town
Division: 2nd
Team: Ward, Holmes, Warren, Redmile, Blackmore, Liburd, Richardson, Ramage, Murray, Beadle, Stallard
Subs: Gibson, Bolland, Robson, Hughes, Darby
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Attendance: 6,141
A goalless draw at Meadow Lane, in a game of few chances. In wet conditions Luton forced the best chances of the match, with Darren Ward on top form to keep Luton at bay. Matt Redmile had Notts' best chance, but his shot was well saved by Luton keeper Abbey.
Notts gave 1st starts to Craig Ramage, and former Manchester United player Clayton Blackmore.

2000-2001 Season:
Luton Town 0-1 Notts County
Division: 2nd
Team: Ward, McDermott, Liburd, Warren, Redmile, Dyer, Hughes, Owers, Ramage, Stallard, Joseph
Subs: Gibson, Bolland, Rapley, Ford, Holmes
Manager: Jocky Scott
Attendance: 7,059
Jocky Scott and Notts got off to a flying start, with Mark Stallard heading the only goal of the game. Stallard flicked home a Craig Ramage freekick, midway into the the 1st half.
In an entertaining match, both sides had a number of chances, with Craig Ramage coming closest to doubling Notts lead. Darren Ward was kept busy, making a number of fine saves in the 2nd period. Signs we encouraging, and Andy McDermott and David Joseph made promising debuts.

Marcel Cas
2001-2002 Season:
Port Vale 4-2 Notts County
Division: 2nd
Team: Mildenhall, Fenton, Ireland, Wilke, Baraclough, Cas, Owers, Caskey, Nicholson, Stallard, Allsopp
Subs: Liburd, Brough, Garden, Warren, Jorgensen
Manager: Jocky Scott
Attendance: 6,076
Notts made a hugely disappointing start at Vale Park, and made some dreadful errors which Vale took full advantage of and ran out worthy winners. Steven McPhee chipped to opener after a slip up between Lee Wilke and Steve Mildenhall, but Marcel Cas hit a debut leveller soon after. Straight into the 2nd half Vale went ahead again before Danny Allsopp scored to make it 2-2 with a fine finish. However, Vale again got past the Magpies back line, and added 2 more before full time.