The month of September came in with the news of a potential new signing for the club. Then-manager Gary Mills set his sights on the signature of experienced former Lens man, Michael Debeve, in a bid to halt the Magpies poor start to the season, that had seen them slide to 18th in the table.
The move didn’t materialise, however, and soon the move became a forgotten object of the past after Mills switched targets just a day later.
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He was handed his debut the very next day, at home to Cheltenham Town, seventeen minutes from time in an otherwise uneventful encounter at the ‘Lane.
His introduction, unfortunately, made few waves on the overall game, however, as both sides half-battled out a 0-0 draw, a new cult-hero was born at Meadow Lane that afternoon.
Days after the bore draw and Mills was on the look-out once more, swooping to capture former Auxerre youngster Youssef Sofiane (one month loan), Coventry man Craig Pead (one month loan) and, shortly after, former Chesterfield striker Marvin Robinson (one month).
Desperate to turn the club’s wretched fortune around, it seemed very much as though Mills was using his hand well to shuffle his County pack.
In truth, the trio made little impact in the club’s coming games as they – much thanks to hero Wayne Henderson – drew 0-0 against Northampton, before crashing at home in shambolic fashion to Southend United 2-1.
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‘Ol’ Big ‘ed’ led rivals Forest to successive European cups in 1979 and 1980 and remained a true character right through his battle with stomach cancer. Clough died aged 69.
The club travelled to Upton Park the day after Clough’s death where, after customary minutes silence was observed in Clough'’ honour, the Magpies went down valiantly 3-2 to the Hammers.
Goals from Ian Richardson and Kelvin Wilson were not enough to take the Magpies to the Third Round of the competition.
The day after the night before, however, spelt the end of the season for one Magpies' man, just one-month after it had begun.
Defender Mike Edwards – stretched off in the match at Upton Park – was to receive the news that he’d seriously damaged his cruciate knee ligaments, and that he’d play no further part in the season.
The defender – who played just eight games before injury – had only signed months before from Grimsby Town, and promised – in his absence – to add to his modelling profile during his nine month lay-off from the game.
Insult was added to injury when the draw for the Third Round was made, with Notts’ conquerors facing none other than Chelsea in the next round of the competition – a tie that would have pitted the Magpies against the Blues for the second successive season.
Meanwhile, Chris O’Grady came in for the outgoing Shaun Harrad, with both players agreeing loan deals. Harrad went out on loan to Mills’ former club, Tamworth whilst O’Grady joined Notts from Leicester City on an initial one month loan.
The club were then dumped from the LDV Vans Trophy, losing 3-2 to a Wrexham side that would eventually go on to lift the trophy. Never mind, eh?
The month also ended with the end of a Magpies’ career for one of the club’s young talents.
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Commons – a member of the both of the club’s Midlands Youth Cup winning sides – was set to be on the fringes of the squad when he was added to the squad list at the start of the season, but was released just a month into the season by Mills.
The youngster subsequently joined non-league side Grantham Town, joining ex-Magpie and close friend, Willis Francis.
For the continuation of NCM’s season review, be sure to check back to Notts County MAD throughout the summer.