The Opponent: Notts County
So its back under the lights at The County Ground this evening for a rare Friday night of football. I’m not really fussed with these experimental kick off’s. 3pm on a Saturday is where football belongs for me personally, but on the other hand some people work every Saturday and don’t get nearly as many chances to see us play as what I may, so I guess it works well for them. Either way I am looking forward to it like I do every game and after an impressive show put on in South Yorkshire last week, hopes must be high for another 3 points. If other results go our way today we could well find ourselves in the play off positions, early days yes, but encouraging none the less.
Notts County are the oldest professional league football club in the world formed in 1862. They even outdate the Football Association itself and were one of the founding members of the Football League some 26 years later. According to legend, The Italian football club Juventus derived its famous black-and-white striped kits from Notts County. Juventus have played in black and white striped shirts, with white shorts, sometimes black shorts since 1903. Originally, they played in pink shirts with a black tie, which only occurred due to the wrong shirts being sent to them, the father of one of the players made the earliest shirts, but continual washing faded the colour so much that in 1903 the club sought to replace them. Juventus asked one of their team members, Englishman John Savage, if he had any contacts in England who could supply new shirts in a colour that would better withstand the elements. He had a friend who lived in Nottingham, who being a Notts County supporter, shipped out the black and white striped shirts to Turin!
The Last Time We Met– Not too long ago back in March, The Magpies visited the County Ground and played out a 0-0 draw, which just about summed up the second half of our season quite nicely. Nearly 8’500 that day!
They have served us both – Matt Ritchie, Alan Sheehan, Steve Mildenhall, Phil King, Herbert Chapman (For Reg), Phil King, Paul Ince, Jake Jervis, and er, Paul Hart.
Where the opposition gather – Its rather morgue like.
http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=402&fid=17&sty=2&act=1&mid=2112031208Notts County Last 6 – LLLLLW (Currently 22nd on 7 points)
The Odds – Swindon 4/6 Draw 3/1 Notts County 19/4 Again, quite big odds on the away side but our home form has been nothing short of brilliant so far this season which justifies the bookies prices. I had a 35/1 winner on the England game a few nights back and I today I think Nile Ranger for the first goal is good value at 5/1 with Bet 365.
The Son Says – I don’t think there have been many games where he even predicts the opposition to score and today is no different, 3-0 home win.
The Prediction – I think we are capable of dishing out another spanking today. With respect to County, the league position they find themselves in would suggest they are there for the taking. 4-0, goals from Nile Ranger (2), Darren Ward and a late Ajose wonder strike, in front of 7’885 (288 from Nottingham).
And Finally – Nottingham is the birthplace of both Boots the Chemists and Raleigh Cycles, and bacon buttie favourite, HP sauce was invented here by grocer F.C. Garton. Boots is even older than Notts County, as John Boot set up the business in 1849. Raleigh is a relative youngster, formed in 1887. And HP Sauce a mere stripling, the name registered in 1895 (HP denoting Houses of Parliament where Garton heard his delicacy was served).
