With ten pre-season matches arranged by Martin Allen, Notts County look set for a busy schedule in their preparations for the new League One campaign. Kicking off on Saturday, the Magpies will play a number of different opposition before opening the season with a trip to Carlisle United in August. NCM has taken a look at the opposition and what can be expected for Martin Allen and his side.
Saturday July 2nd - Ilkeston FC (A)
Notts County will kick off their pre-season schedule with a trip to Ilkeston as the first part of a double header on Saturday July 2nd. Kicking off at 1pm, Notts will face the reformed Ilkeston FC of the Evo-Stik Division One South. Having been wound up and removed from the Blue Square North last season, the Robins are still managed by Kevin Wilson and play at the New Manor Ground.
Saturday July 2nd - Hucknall Town (A)
Kicking off at 3.15pm, the Magpies' second friendly of the afternoon will see them face another Evo-Stik Division One South side in Hucknall Town. Hucknall were relegated from the Evo-Stik Premier League last season after a disappointing campaign at Watnall Road.
Saturday July 9th - Hinckley United (A)
The pre-season campaign will be stepped up a week later with a trip to Conference North side Hinckley United. Managed by former Magpie Dean Thomas, Hinckley play at the Greene King stadium, a ground located slightly outside of the Leicestershire town.
Wednesday July 13th - Kettering Town (A)
Next up Notts will be travelling to Blue Square Premier side Kettering Town. Notts fans will be familiar with the Poppies' Rockingham Road ground after the Magpies were dumped out of the FA Cup by the Northamptonshire side three years ago. Kettering will provide another step up in the level of opposition for Notts after they achieved a safe mid-table position in non-league football's top level last season.
Friday July 15th - Mansfield Town (A)
A trip to local rivals Mansfield Town will be next on the agenda for Martin Allen and his side on July 15th. Having missed out on the Blue Square Premier play-offs last season, the Stags have appointed former Notts player Paul Cox as manager after his impressive achievements at Eastwood Town. They have also recently snapped up former Magpies Paul Bolland and are expected to be amongst the promotion chasers in the Blue Square Premier next season.
Wednesday July 20th - Peterborough United (H)
Notts' first home friendly of the season will see Championship newcomers Peterborough travel to Meadow Lane. Notts will be familiar with Posh after playing them twice in the league last season, winning at London Road but suffering a narrow defeat at Meadow Lane in March.
Saturday July 23rd - Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
Premier League side Wolves will be next to visit Meadow Lane and are another side Notts faced last season, suffering a 4-2 defeat at Molineux in the third round of the Carling Cup. Mick McCarthy's side are likely to represent the toughest challenge of the Magpies' pre-season schedule having once again survived relegation from the Premier League last term.
Monday July 25th - Corby Town (A)
Notts will then travel to Blue Square North side Corby Town just three days later, in one of the first games at the Steelmen's as yet unnamed new ground. The Northamptonshire side are hoping to fight for promotion to the Blue Square Premier this season and have recently had ex-Notts players Gavin Strachan, Mark Stallard and Paul Mayo turning out for them.
Saturday July 30th - Macclesfield Town (A)
The final Saturday pre-season match will see Notts make the trip north to face League Two side Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose. Notts have made a number of trips to Macclesfield in recent years so it will be a trip familiar to a number of Magpies fans. Notts have also recently signed Hamza Bencherif from the Silkmen, the former Forest midfielder having spent two years at the club.
Monday August 1st - Maidenhead United (A)
The pre-season schedule will then be wrapped up with a trip to Blue Square South side Maidenhead United. They are also nicknamed the Magpies at play at York Road, which is acknowledged as being the oldest continuously used senior football ground in the world, with the side having initially moved there in 1871. The Berkshire side finished 19th in the Blue Square South last term.
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NCM will have a more in-depth preview of each fixture closer to the date, so check back for more information.