Football Season Guide

Martin Paterson proved his doubters wrong as he guided Notts County back to League One following an eleven-year absence. There has been a real sense of loss around Meadow Lane since Luke Williams moved to Swansea City in January 2024. He was universally adored since taking the Magpies back into the Football League, and successor Stuart Maynard was never really accepted. The appointment of Paterson last summer was also met with a lack of enthusiasm, especially with Williams then out-of-work and available. Paterson’s intensity has partly helped to build a relationship with supporters and winning games helps too of course. Having missed out on automatic promotion by just two points, they won promotion via the play-offs with a comfortable 3-0 win over Salford City in the final at Wembley. It has been a tricky summer with the spine of the team having been lost, most notably in attack. Strikers Alassana Jatta and Matthew Dennis bagged over 30 goals between them but have moved on for Portugese side Casa Pia and League One rivals Burton Albion respectively. Replacing those goals will be tricky with the task falling to a new strike-force of Emile Acquah and Luka Smyth. Midfielders Oliver Norburn and Tom Iorpenda brought experienced and youthful exuberance respectively but both have also left. Iorpenda was always going to return to his parent club whilst Norburn has signed for Oldham Athletic. The latter’s replacement, Max Sanders, faces three months out with a calf injury. Jack Evans, who stood out in a relegated Harrogate Town side, has signed for an undisclosed fee and will take on Norburn’s role. Whilst Paterson can rely on goalkeeper James Belshaw and centre-back Jacob Bedeau, injuries threaten to damage the Magpies hopes of survival. Centre-backs Lewis Macari and Rod McDonald continue their rehabilitation whilst Jodi Jones, Matt Palmer and Scott Robertson have all had fitness issues during pre-season. The former, Jones, proved his match-winning credentials at Wembley in May but there are fears he could be sold following a fall-out over discussions over a new contract. It would be a huge blow if they were to lose him too.