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NOTTS COUNTY FORMER PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL WEBSITE SPONSORED BY  NEXT MEETING: Please note that the next meeting of the Notts County Former Players' Association committee will be on Monday, August 6th, 2012 (7.30pm). We would welcome any input from former players. Please send your queries, comments or items to be included on the agenda to the Secretary, Brian Bates - email: bashandval@talktalknet
ANNUAL DINNER HONOURS NEIL WARNOCK Neil Warnock celebrates his Achievement Award with some of his Notts County old boys: Phil Turner, Dave Regis, Paul Harding, Kevin Bartlett, Tommy Johnson, Paul Barnes, Alan Paris.
13.05/2012......A record number of nearly 200 members and guests of the Notts County Former Players' Association enjoyed a memorable night at the 14th annual dinner, held in the 1862 Suite at Meadow Lane.
 Neil Warnock, the manager who guided Notts to promotions in 1990 and 91 that took the club from the third tier to the top flight (the old First Division) was the popular recipient of the Association's Achievement Award.
Players from that era who recalled their own personal memories of two outstanding seasons were Tommy Johnson, Paul Harding, Dave Regis, Kevin Bartlett and Alan Paris.
Then it was the turn of the captain, Phil Turner, before he presented the Achievement Award to Neil.
In an entertaining and emotional response Neil recalled arriving from Scarborough, who he had managed into the Football League, and soon sensing that some of the older professionals in the dressing room had their doubts about the young new boss.
He echoed the words of his players that, as he re-shaped the playing staff, there were no "big time Charlies" and that a special kind of team spirit helped to get to Wembley play-off finals and two victories.
"This award means a lot to me, just as it does to come back to the club - which I hope I'll continue to do in the future," he said.
Neil was accompanied by James and Natalie, his son and daughter, and by two former players, Mick Jones and Kevin Randall, who have gone on to work as members of his staff at other clubs. In another presentation, Les Bradd became the second holder of the Harold Mace Memorial Trophy. Paul Mace, Harold's son and managing director of the Nottingham-based sports sponsorship company, Macesport, said Les's almost unbroken association with the Magpies, stretching over more than 40 years, made him the ideal choice in a year when he was playing a key role at the club in arranging the celebrations to mark its 150th anniversary year, quite aside from him being the all-time record scorer with 125 goals, a figure he doubted would ever be exceeded. Association president Colin Slater, who acted as MC, announced to applause that the original agreement by Macesport to be the Association's business partner for two years, was being extended by a further three years.
Club chairman Ray Trew and Aileen, his wife and a fellow-director, were among the guests of a night generally voted the Association's best ever.
It was laughter all the way - as usual - for NCFPA committee members Brian Bates, Tommy Johnson and Jon Nixon.
The NCFPA Honours Board 1999 JACK WHEELER 2000 No award 2001 PETER THOMPSON 2002 COLIN SLATER MBE 2003 ALEX GIBSON 2004 LES BRADD 2005 DEAN YATES 2006 DON MASSON 2007 GERRY CARVER 2008 PHIL TURNER 2009 BRIAN STUBBS 2010 DAVID NEEDHAM 2011 DARREN WARD 2012 NEIL WARNOCK
ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO FOR GARY 12/05/2012.............. Former Notts player and manager Gary Mills is within an ace of crowing an exceptional season in charge of York City.  In front of almost 20,000 at Wembley Stadium two second half goals helped York beat Newport County 2-0 in The FA Trophy Final. York had last played at Wembley in 2010 when they lost 3-1 to Oxford United in the Blue Square Premier play-off final. Gary's team now look to repeat the feat next Sunday against Luton Town to earn a return to the Football League after an eight-year absence. GALA NIGHT A MUST FOR ALL FORMER PLAYERS 12/05//2012.......Members of the Notts County Former Players’ Association are being invited to attend the Gala Night at Nottingham Playhouse, of ‘Diary of a Football Nobody’ which is a new play based on the hilarious memoir ‘Steak...Diana Ross’ by David McVay.  As part of Notts County’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, the play will run from October 5th to 20th, with a special Gala Night on Thursday 11th October. You are invited to join David McVay, William Ivory (writer of the Diary of a Football Nobody play), director Matt Aston, James Rodwell (Chief Executive of Notts County) and former County players, for a Gala performance, with NCFPA members getting a 20 per cent discount for that one special night, reducing the cost from £35 to £28 each. This includes the performance, a special introduction to the play, a welcome drink on arrival, a half-time pie, and the opportunity to mingle with some of the stars of book and play. There will also be a raffle in aid of the club’s highly successful Football in the Community programme. This year Notts County has become the first professional football club to reach its 150th anniversary, and Nottingham Playhouse is proud to be joining in with the celebrations. Pre-show reception from 7.00pm with the performance beginning at 7.45pm. Call Nottingham Playhouse Box Office on 0115 941 9419 and quote ‘Former Players Special Offer’ to access this fantastic ticket offer. For more information about Diary of a Football Nobody click here
CENTRE FORWARD FRED ALSO A GOALKEEPER!
01/05/2012................ An enquiry from the Canadian Soccer Association about one of our former players has produced some interesting facts.  As it happens we receive many emails from around the world, in fact relatives from such places as San Diego and New South Wales have recently been in touch asking for information about loved ones who have worn the black and white stripes. The latest enquiry, which came from Richard Scott of the Canadian Soccer Association, led to us researching the life of a fascinating character who played just 10 times for the Magpies in season 1946/47, but who is fondly remembered. Fred Whittaker (above), born in Vancouver in 1923, had made such an impression for Vancouver North Shore with a tally of 50 goals from just 21 games in 1946, that Notts manager Arthur Stollery actually travelled to Canada to secure the player's signature on June 15th of that year. One oddity, which was presumably brought about by the rush to get the player to Nottingham in time for the start of the season in August, resulted in him being featured on the front row of the team picture for that season dressed in shirt, tie and overcoat, rather than in his football kit! The giant Fred was named as centre forward in County’s first two league matches of the new season but failed to find the back of the net.He featured only once more prior to regaining his place in the tail-end of a season which ran through to the end of May. And it was during that time that the Canadian displayed the kind of versatility which legends are made of.Not only did he play as emergency left back in one of those games, but was twice actually selected as goalkeeper when regular number one Harry Brown was unavailable. At well over six foot, Fred’s appearances between the posts were described as ‘a little unorthodox’, but helped the side to a 1-1 draw at Bristol City and a 1-0 victory at home to Reading, as Notts finished 12th in Division Three (South). All-time great Jackie Sewell – who finished as top-scorer in 1946/47 with 21 goals – remembers Fred well. “He was certainly a big lad,” he remarked. “I suppose he was a natural to go in goal due to his size when Harry Brown couldn’t play. But Tommy arrived the next season, making his debut at Northampton when he scored in a 2-1 victory.” Sadly for Fred his Football League career was over almost as soon as it had started, and in June 1947 he was on his way home to Canada with a record of 10 league appearances and two goals (although some sources wrongly credit him with scoring five times). Once again his sporting talent blossomed and he actually featured in national championship teams at both soccer and lacrosse. He played 11 times for the British Columbia All Stars who he also coached and managed. The ultimate honour came in 2002 when Fred was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. Away from sport he spent 49 years working for Eaton’s, once Canada’s largest department store retailer, before passing away peacefully on September 29th, 2006.
Best wishes to all our former players with birthdays during the month of May. These include: 1st GARY CHAPMAN (48) 2nd LEWIS McMAHON (27) 4th PAUL HART (59) 7th BRIAN KILCLINE (50), LAURIE DUDFIELD (32) 9th MICK LEONARD (53), CHRIS SHORT (42), JASON LEE (41) 11th AIDAN DAVISON (44), JOHN WILLIAMS (44) 12th DARREN WARD (38), ADAM TANN (30) 13th PETER BEADLE (40), STEVE MILDENHALL (34) 14th PADDY McGOVERN (64), DON O'RIORDAN (55), JOHN COZENS (66) 18th PEGGY ARPHEXAD (39) 19th RACHID HARKOUK (56), TONY HACKWORTH (32) 21st, DAVID NEEDHAM (63), RAY O'BRIEN (61), LEE NOGAN (43), SHANE McFAUL (26) 22nd MARK ROBSON (43) 23rd MICK STONE (74), MICK VINTER (58), RUBEN ZADKOVICH (26) 25th JOHN SHERIDAN (74) 26th WAYNE DIUK (32)
27th DAVE THOMPSON (50), ANDY PARKINSON (33)
28th DENNIS BENSKIN (65)
30th PAUL HOOKS (53).
We also remember our former captain BOB FORREST who would have been 81 on May 13th.
IRISH CHALLENGE FOR IAN BARACLOUGH 27/04/2012......Congratulations to our ever-popular former full back Ian Baraclough on landing the job as manager of Airtricity Irish Football League team Sligo Rovers.  Ian is reported to be steadily getting to grips with the nuances of the league. When he was doing some hasty research on Sligo, he rang Steve Cotterill and Sam Allardyce who both cut their managerial teeth in the League of Ireland.
"It's important you experience life in a different country," he explains. "I moved to Jersey when I was 12 for three years and absolutely loved it. "So I had no fears coming away from England. European football, competitively, will be new to me, and if we can still be in or around the top two in the division, it'll be a great start." After the first nine matches of the league season Sligo sit three points clear at the top of the table with an unbeaten record. As a good friend to many of our members and a keen supporter of NCFPA functions, we would like to wish Ian all the very best with his new challenge. You can follow Ian's progress by clicking on:
BE PART OF SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT 20/04/2012.....Another huge event is being planned to take place at Meadow Lane as part of Notts County's 150th Anniversary celebrations, with the club inviting the local community to make history with them. Scheduled for Thursday, June 14th, Notts will be staging a Community Celebration Day which will take place on the Meadow Lane pitch from 10am until 1pm.  It is hoped that the event will involve upward of 1,000 guests representing their target of 150 leading Nottingham community, charity, scholastic and sporting organisations, with the NCFPA pledging our support.
The high point of the day will be a unique ceremony lowering a specially crafted time capsule directly under the centre circle of the pitch. This will contain ‘The 150 Anniversary Opus’ which will feature 150 pages of Notts County’s history, plus contributions from each community partner on a specially encapsulated biographical poster page. Each poster is to feature images and words describing the past achievements and proposed future aspirations of each organisation.  For full details of the Community Day and all other activities marking the club's 150th anniversary, please contact Les Bradd at: or on 0115 952 9000 or 07968 115162.
LEGENDARY CUP RIVAL PASSES AWAY AGED 82 19/04/2012.......A former opponent whose name looms large in the legend of Notts County has died at the age of 82. The club’s record attendance of 47,310 came on March 12, 1955, when York City visited Meadow Lane in the sixth round of the FA Cup - the only goal of the game being scored by Arthur Bottom who passed away in a Sheffield hospital on April 18th.  York’s surprise victory over Notts saw them meet those other Magpies from Newcastle in the semi-final, eventually going out to their First Division opponents 2-0 after a replay.
*The NCFPA committee was also sorry to hear this week of the death of long-time supporter David Richmond, whose joy of sport also embraced Nottinghamshire CCC. He will be sadly missed.
 GALA BANQUET PLANNED FOR JUNE 7th
17/04/2012......... We are looking for as many former players as possible to attend what is set to be the showpiece night on the events calendar for Notts County's 150th anniversary celebrations. A Gala Banquet is to take place on Thursday, 7th June, in the massive luxury marquee being erected on the Meaow Lane pitch during the summer.  BBC broadcaster and presenter of Match of the Day 2, Colin Murray, will host the event which will be attended by a host of dignitaries and will form the main focus of the year’s celebrations. There will also be a performance by special guests Elysium III, three classically-trained singers who combine to give an exciting new slant on classic rock’n’roll and are tipped for huge success in the future, having already signed a substantial record deal with Universal Music. 
Former Notts County players will be able to access tickets at 50 per cent of the going rate, with the package including a five-course a la carte dinner. For full details of the Gala Banquet and all other activities marking the club's 150th anniversary, please contact Les Bradd at: les.bradd@nottscountyfc.co.uk or on 0115 952 9000 or 07968 115162. See also: www.nottscountyfc.co.uk
WHEN FOOTBALL TOOK A BACK SEAT 30/03/2012......Monday's 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict brings back painful memories for one former Notts County player who was called up and saw unimaginable horrors. Phil Stant has been talking to Richard Edwards of The Independent.  It is perhaps easy, 30 years on, to boil down the Falklands conflict into mere statistics; 258 British lives, 649 Argentinian casualties and a war that lasted just 74 days. There is, however, another number that Falklands veteran and former Notts striker Phil is keen to highlight. "We lost over 250 people in such a short space of time, a seven or eight-week period, but since then more than that number of Falklands veterans have committed suicide," he says. "No one has ever reported that but it affects everybody – it's the same in Argentina. When you go to war you never come back the same person. People talk about PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] which was identified after the Falklands but it has been there since time began." The grim realities of war are as far removed from the glamour of the modern game as it's possible to get but Phil is a throwback – a man who served one of the game's most unlikely apprenticeships before going on to become one of the best strikers in the lower leagues over a career spanning 20 years. Monday marks the 30th anniversary of the conflict, but back in 1982, he was billeted at Aldershot and playing part-time for Reading before Argentina's military junta took a course of action that would change his life. He was just 18 when he boarded the QEII and headed to the South Atlantic to defend a group of islands that he readily admits he had never heard of. "Like most other people we thought they were actually off the coast of Scotland," he says. “At first we just thought, 'why are the Argentinians attacking an island off Scotland?' That's how naïve we were. It was only when you got the maps out that we found that they were only a couple of hundred miles from Antarctica. “I travelled out on the QEII, it took just under three weeks. We stopped off at Sierra Leone and then the Ascension Islands before transferring on to a boat which took us to South Georgia. “For a lad of 18 it was an adventure, everybody was excited. You were just looking forward it and the biggest fear you had was that it was going to be over by the time you got there.”
 He got his wish and by the time he arrived the conflict was escalating. Goose Green had already been recaptured and 10 days later Phil would find himself at Bluff Cove, on a cliff edge looking out over two British ships, Sir Galahad and HMS Tristram. He had been on Tristram earlier that day and was now unloading ammunition off the ship and onto a forward supply point on land. "It was a lovely clear blue day," he says. "We obviously didn't know there was an Argentinian observation post looking over us but I remember sitting at the top of the cliff looking at the ships which were about 100 metres off shore. Then I looked up and saw two or three little dots in the sky and that was it. "They came in that fast. Normally we would get a signal over the radio that an air-raid was imminent. There was none of that for some reason – it took us completely by surprise. Nobody had time to mount the machine guns, it all happened in a split second."
At 2pm both ships were struck by 1000lb bombs as a sickened Phil – part of the 5th Infantry Brigade – watched black smoke billow out of the hull of the Galahad. Within minutes he and his colleagues were on the scene. What awaited him has stayed with him ever since. "We were the first people there after the strikes," he recalls. "Our NCOs took control of the situation until we got help by the medics, the paras and the marines. When you're seeing people with limbs off and skin melting, people screaming, it's something that you never forget. That's when it wasn't an adventure any more. That was the day I grew up. "At the time we hated the Argentinians but they were just young lads doing their jobs. They were exactly the same as us and when they lost the war they were disowned by their country." Phil would remain on the Islands until July 1982, staying for a month after hostilities ceased before heading home a changed man. By November he would be appearing for Reading in an FA Cup tie against Bishops Stortford at Elm Park. To the untrained observer it seemed it was business as usual for this young footballing soldier – for Stant it was anything but. "Nothing was ever the same again but football was always my release and I never stopped appreciating just how lucky I was to be a professional footballer," he points out. "You never forget those times and you are a different person, but some guys, unfortunately, when they come back from war don't have that release. I was very lucky that I had football to concentrate on. "I went back to the Falklands in 2007 and I didn't realise just how beautiful they were. All that we had seen was a trench, mud, snow and gale-force winds for weeks. It was minus 21 when we were out there – Carlisle on a Tuesday night was never a problem after that." Tensions are again arising in the South Atlantic as the 30th anniversary approaches, leaving Phil to fear for the Islands' future once more.  "It worries me what will happen in the Falklands now. We've got the Olympics this year, it's the 30th anniversary – what a great opportunity for the Argentinian president to rattle some sabres because she knows she'll get a lot of publicity and support for it." It's support of another kind that Phil Stant believes is needed for the invisible victims of a war that continues to claim lives. Football's Falkland veteran has never forgotten he is one of the lucky ones.
MATCH TICKETS FOR FORMER PLAYERS Notts County Football Club will be only too pleased to organise up to two free tickets per game for former players. Please contact, in advance of the day of the match, David Deighton in the Meadow Lane ticket office, on 0115 9557210 or call reception on 0115 9529000.
TOMMY LANDS INTERNATIONAL ROLE 15/02/2012......A recent addition to the Notts County Former Players’ Association committee is looking to make an impact on the international scene.  Tommy Johnson is hoping to unearth “one or two hidden gems” as he embarks on a new role with Northern Ireland, having been named as assistant to new Under 21 manager Stephen Robinson.
Our former ace marksman will be based in Nottingham from where he will keep a watchful eye over Northern Ireland’s emerging talent. He will also be scouting the mainland for youngsters who may be eligible to play under the IFA banner. “The Under 21s are a vital part of international football – these are the players you hope will progress to senior level,” Tommy commented.
“I played for England’s U21s many years ago and the ambition was to make the leap onto the senior stage. “It is an integral part in the development of young players and they learn so much at youth level. This helps them to make the transition to the senior side if they get the call.
“There are a few hidden gems out there who hopefully we can locate and see if they qualify for Northern Ireland.” We wish Tommy well with the job - to which we have no doubt he will bring his natural enthusiasm and positivity.
NCFPA MEMBERS AT CIVIC RECEPTION 20/01/2012.........Members of the Notts County Former Players’ Association as well as the current management and squad were amongst the guests of honour at a civic reception in the Council House, at the invitation of the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Michael Wildgust. The club's present chairman Ray Trew, former chairman Jack Dunnett, Sir David Bernstein, chairman of the Football Association, and Lord Mawhinney, former chairman and honorary president of the Football League were also present at the second major event marking the club's 150th Anniversary celebrations. Pictured above, Brian Stubbs, Bob Worthington, Gerry Carver, Les Bradd and Phil Turner enjoy the civic reception. FORMER PLAYERS MARK 150th ANNIVERSARY LAUNCH
02/01/2012.......Around 50 former Notts County players were guests of the club at Bank Holiday Monday's match against Huddersfield Town, helping launch the 150th Anniversary celebrations. Project Leader Les Bradd commented: " All of the former players had a great day and relived some very happy times together. Many stayed on after the game in
The Meadow Lane Sports Bar discussing past memories."
The former players parade for the crowd prior to kick-off
Les Bradd puts Don Masson in a stranglehold!
Iain McCulloch, Don Masson and Tommy Johnson
Brian Stubbs and Dick Edwards
Dennis Oakes joins Don Masson and Les Bradd. PHOTOS TAKEN BY JOHN SUMPTER AND USED IN FULL AT: www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/page/Gallery/
HELPING HAND FOR FORMER PLAYERS THROUGH OUR BENEVOLENT FUND
Remember - a helping hand is always there for any of our former players who might need it, courtesy of the Notts County Former Players’ Association Benevolent Fund.  The fund was set up in 2009 and has already proved beneficial to several of our members. It was launched with a bucket collection at the home game against Aldershot in season 2009-10, which topped £2,000 and has been considerably boosted by kind donations from Club Life President and former Chairman, Derek Pavis, and long-time sponsor and supporter Joy Sharpe, on behalf of Hillside Medical Supplies of Newark. A sub-committee has been set up to administer the fund - including all-time top scorer Les Bradd, who commented: "We believe it is a long overdue development for the Association. Our main activities are the Annual Dinner and Golf Competition, which bring people together from all sorts of far flung places to relive some great days at Meadow Lane, but the feeling among committee members is that we need to look beyond that. “The Benevolent Fund gives us the chance to reach out a helping hand to those former players who need one." Anybody willing to make a further donation is asked to write to cheque made payable to the NCFPA Benevolent Fund and send it to: Don Masson, The Grange, Sutton Lane, Elton, Notts. NG13 9LA, or please call Don on: 0788 795 2181.
NCFPA ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 
HONOURS BOARD 1999 JACK WHEELER 2000 No award 2001 PETER THOMPSON 2002 COLIN SLATER MBE 2003 ALEX GIBSON 2004 LES BRADD 2005 DEAN YATES 2006 DON MASSON 2007 GERRY CARVER 2008 PHIL TURNER 2009 BRIAN STUBBS 2010 DAVID NEEDHAM 2011 DARREN WARD 2012 NEIL WARNOCK
NEXT MEETING: Please note that the next meeting of the Notts County Former Players' Association committee will be on Monday, August 6th, 2012 (7.30pm). We would welcome any input from former players. Please send your queries, comments or items to be included on the agenda to the Secretary, Brian Bates - email: bashandval@talktalknet MATCH TICKETS FOR FORMER PLAYERS Notts County Football Club will be only too pleased to organise up to two free tickets per game for former players. Please contact, in advance of the day of the match, David Deighton in the Meadow Lane ticket office, on 0115 9557210 or call reception on 0115 9529000.
 To submit enquiries or articles for consideration for this website, please contact: IN MEMORY OF JACK A memorial service to the Association’s President, Jack Wheeler, took place at St Mary’s Church in Nottingham on Thursday 19th March, 2009.  More than 200 people attended the service, with tributes from Colin Slater, Richie Barker, Don Masson, Howard Wilkinson and John Mounteney. Many former Notts players were in attendance, including Les Bradd, David McVay, Dean Thomas, Paul Hooks, Brian Stubbs, Mick Vinter, Pat Groome, Don Roby, Gerry Carver, John Sheridan, Ian McParland and Mick Leonard, along with Jack’s wife of 66 years, Olga, and members of his immediate family.
PLEASE REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE NOTTS COUNTY FORMER PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION  This official website of the Notts County Former Players' Association (NCFPA) is designed to keep you informed about regular activities and encourage you to become involved.
If you have made one or more League appearances for Notts County, you automatically qualify as a member of the Association. And as one of the distinguished band, we hope you will want to renew friendships with former colleagues on a regular basis by attending the annual dinner, golf competition and any other functions. Please register your interest by contacting Jon Nixon at: jonnixon@gmx.co.uk. Apart from your personal details – name, address, telephone number and email address – please supply a few details about what you are doing now, so that we can include a small item on this website. It will be great to hear from you again! |
