Notts County FC 1985/86
Match Line-Up's & Details

New to the 3rd tier this season
Relegated clubs: Notts County, Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers*.
Promoted clubs: Chesterfield, Blackpool, Darlington and Bury
*Both Notts and Wolves had suffered successive relegations to drop straight from the top flight into the 3rd tier - this being the first time in history that two clubs had been relegated twice from the same divisions in successive seasons. Going up in the opposite direction into the 2nd tier were Bradford City, Millwall and Hull City. The four teams that had just dropped out of the 3rd tier and into the 4th tier were Burnley, Orient, Preston North End and Cambridge United (Cambridge suffering a successive demotion whilst both Burnley and Preston North End were dropping into the 4th tier for the first time).

Pre-season friendlies

Saturday 3rd August 1985
Notts County 1 (McParland(pen) 33)
Ipswich Town 1 (Wilson 28)

Saturday 10th August 1985 - County Cup Semi-final (Held over from previous season)
Notts County 2
Mansfield Town 2
Notts won on penalties

Monday 12th August 1988 - Notts County 2 Leicester City 1 is thought to have been a private practice game.

Why Sirrel Came Back
National newspaper article published August 1985

Football’s problems in this new season may be mountainous but they are not high enough to deter a comeback by Jimmy Sirrel who, at 63, has taken charge again at Notts County. What on earth motivated him to become a manager once more at a time like this? Perhaps it was unnecessary to ask a Scot as fit and articulate as Sirrel. Beneath that unique face, which appears to have been assembled by a group of complete strangers, the body - despite a recent cartilage operation - is trim and the step remains as lively as the mind. Sirrel is confident the game will come through its bleak patch. “When things are at their lowest, that's when you have to keep working because football isn't all bad.” Sirrel took over at Notts because the club he had coaxed up through all four divisions in 10 seasons reckoned he was the man, oldest manager in the League or not, to halt the slide all the way back to the bottom. “I took over because the chairman and the other directors (he is on the board himself) think I have the ability and the image to take them out of trouble,” he said. “It's as simple as that. Did I want this job? No. I would have preferred Larry Lloyd or Richie Barker to have succeeded as manager after I gave up, then there would have been no need for this. Circumstances forced me back but I accepted because the chairman thinks I can stabilise the club.”

After a playing career that encompassed Celtic, Bradford, Brighton and Aldershot, the Glasgow-born Sirrel became manager at Brentford for three years before moving in 1969 to Notts. He got the club out of the Fourth Division, had an unsuccessful two-season spell with Sheffield United in the mid-’70s and then returned to push County into the First Division by 1981. Sirrel had been grooming Howard Wilkinson as his successor but when Wilkinson accepted the managership of Sheffield Wednesday he concurred in the appointment of Larry Lloyd at the start of the 1983/84 season. “I decided I had finished managing after Larry arrived,” Sirrel said. He concentrated on youth development instead, looking on in dismay while the club slid out of the First Division and then out of the Second in successive seasons. First Lloyd was sacked and then his successor, Barker, was dismissed last April as County plummeted towards the Third Division. “The chairman, Jack Dunnett, wanted a meeting at that time to discuss my youth budget,” said Sirrel. “We have a nice way of dealing with things, the chairman and I. We meet and have a meal, it's been that way for years whenever there is anything major to discuss. The chairman thought we were going to get relegated and said he was going to sack the manager the next day. He said the only chance of avoiding relegation was if I took over again as caretaker. I told him if he felt that way then I had no alternative. Mind you, I don't know what his alternative would have been if I had refused. As it happened we very nearly got out of trouble. We beat Manchester City, then drew at Oxford. There is no way we would have got relegated if I had been manager for the whole season. It’s wrong to talk about people who were in the job before me but they weren't winning football matches so, for whatever reason, they were unsuccessful.”

Having agreed to take over, Sirrel decided to get into shape to face life in the Third Division. “I don't have any deficiencies but I have had trouble with my right knee for a long time.” Following the final game of last season he had the cartilage operation. “I had to be right,” he insists, “I know 63 sounds a bad age but I am mentally bright and I wanted to be in good physical condition.” He stresses that he regards the job as a short-term one. “I want a new man to take over from me, and sooner rather than later.” As he did with Wilkinson, Sirrel has already chosen his successor, Dick Bate, who will join Notts as coach as soon as he is released from his present job with the Football Association. “If he proves capable early, then he is in.” Until then Sirrel has been asked to do the business yet again, but this time for a club so heavily in debt he has not been able to buy a single new player during the close season. He also helps to cut costs by typing his own team sheets and personal letters and ordering the team’s pre-match lunches (‘Four poached eggs, two omelettes, three scrambled eggs, one roast chicken, two steak well done, two steak medium, one scampi Provencale‘). However, he has no plans to abandon Meadow Lane. “I could have moved on many times but I am friendly with the chairman and am quite happy here. I could still get a job tomorrow, make no mistake, but I've got nothing to prove in football any more.”

He condemns the blanket punishments imposed on hard-up clubs in the Brussels after-math, such as the ban on sales of alcohol. “I can see for the life of me why people should be punished in Hartlepool, Torquay, Exeter. When was there ever any trouble in the sponsors’ boxes or the directors’ room because of drink? Drink is certainly one of the root causes of violence but how do you stop it? By closing all public houses? A lot of people enjoy a little drink but in excess it is the cause of quarrels, fights, marriage break-ups.”  So, without benefit of funds to buy players, how does Sirrel propose to prosper in the Third Division ? “The secret, if there is a secret, is the ability to handle people and get their respect. Without that you are lost. You might be a bastard and still get it, it isn’t just a matter of being nice to people. Football is also one of the few organisations outside the Army and the police to have discipline. Without discipline you also have nothing at a club.” Since respect and discipline come free of cost, Jimmy Sirrel will certainly ensure an abundance of both as he embarks on his fifteenth year at Notts County.

Cardiff City 4
McLoughlin
Farrington
Mullen (pen)
Vaughan

HT 0-3
Attendance:- 3,856

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- First game of the season, had just been relegated from the 2nd tier
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. Keith Downing

Sub not used: Paul Smalley

Cardiff City
Colours:- ?Blue shirts, White shorts, Blue socks?
League Position:- First game of the season, had just been relegated from the 2nd tier
Manager: Alan Durban

1.   Chris Sander
2.   Jake King
3.   John Carver
4.   Roger Gibbins
5.   Mike Ford
6.   Jimmy Mullen
7.   Brian Flynn
8.   Mark Farrington
9.   Rob Turner
10. Nigel Vaughan
11. Paul McLoughlin

Sub not used

Notes:
A shocking result matched by the shocking attendance, which was half the figure that had watched Notts entertain Cardiff on the opening day of the season just six years earlier and the lowest crowd for an opening home league fixture at Notts in at least 80 years (in the days when crowd's were estimated).

Tuesday 20th August 1985

League Cup 1st Round 1st Leg

Notts County 1
Clarke

Doncaster Rovers 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 2,425

Saturday 24th August 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Blackpool 1
O'Keefe

Notts County 3
Young
Young
Harkouk

HT 1-3
Attendance:- 4,011

Doncaster Rovers 1
Buckley

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 3,922

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 14th/24, after match 15th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   David Hunt
9.   Alan Young
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. Keith Downing *

Sub: Paul Smalley *

Doncaster Rovers
Colours:- ?Red shirts with white sleeves, White shorts, Red socks?
League Position:- before match 16th/24, after match 17th/24
Manager: Billy Bremner

1.   Dennis Peacock
2.   Brian Caswell
3.   Dave Rushberry
4.   Glenn Humphries
5.   Tony Brown
6.   Dave Cusack
7.   John Buckley
8.   Jim Dobbin
9.   Colin Douglas
10. Neil Woods
11. David Harle

Sub not used

Notes:
Notts decided to play this bank holiday August fixture at night, which probably accounted for another gate of under 4,000. Doncaster manager Billy Bremner, the famous captain of the great Leeds side of the 1970's, would leave Rovers to manage his old club in October.

Saturday 31st August 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Plymouth Argyle 0

Notts County 1
Harkouk

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 5,105

Tuesday 3rd September 1985

League Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg

Doncaster Rovers 2
Dobbin
Douglas

Notts County 1
Goodwin

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 2,679

2-2 on aggregate AET, Notts go through on away goals

Gillingham 1
Byrne

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 3,624

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 9th/24, after match 9th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Hunt

Sub not used: Paul Smalley

Gillingham
Colours:- Blue shirts with white side panels, White shorts, Blue socks
League Position:- before match 7th/24, after match 6th/24
Manager: Kevin Peacock

1.   Ron Hillyard
2.   Mel Sage
3.   Joe Hinnigan
4.   Keith Oakes
5.   Mark Weatherly
6.   Russell Musker
7.   David Byrne
8.   Terry Cochrane
9.   Karl Elsey
10. Dave Mehmet
11. Tony Cascarino

Sub not used

Wednesday 11th September 1985
County Cup Final (Held over from previous season)

Nottingham Forest  1
Notts County 2

Saturday 14th September 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Bournemouth 0

Notts County 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 4,235

York City 1
Walwyn

HT 3-0
Attendance:- 3,708

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 5th/24, after match 5th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young *
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Hunt

Sub: Mark Harbottle *

York City
Colours:- ?Red shirts with white sleeves, Red shorts, Red socks, Dark Blue trimmings?
League Position:- before match 10th/24, after match 10th/24
Manager: Denis Smith

1.   Mike Astbury
2.   Derek Hood
3.   Chris Evans
4.   David McAughtrie
5.   John MacPhail
6.   Sean Haslegrave *
7.   Gary Ford
8.   Dale Banton
9.   Keith Walwyn
10. Simon Miils
11. Tony Canham

Sub: Keith Houchen *

Notes:
Mark Harbottle, still only 16 for another week and a half, came on as a sub to make his debut. Aside from the goals, both Waitt and McParland struck the woodwork and McParland had a penalty saved.

Sunday 22nd September 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Darlington 2
Airey
Airey

Notts County 3
Harbottle
McParland
Waitt

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 3,786

Notes:
17 year old Wayne Fairclough made his Notts debut replacing Pedro Richards who had to miss this game. Mark Harbottle also made the starting 11 and became the youngest ever player to score a league goal for the club.

Tuesday 24th September 1985

League Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg

Fulham 1
Barnett 74

Notts County 1
Goodwin 24

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 2,324

Bury 2
Valentine
K. Young

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 4,528

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 5th/24, after match 4th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young *
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Hunt

Sub: Mark Robinson *

Bury
Colours:- ?All Yellow?
League Position:- before match 10th/24, after match 11th/24
Manager: Martin Dobson

1.   Phil Hughes
2.   Lee Dixon
3.   Terry Pashley
4.   Trevor Ross
5.   Peter Valentine
6.   Andy Hill
7.   Winston White
8.   Craig Madden
9.   John Kerr
10. Joe Jakub
11. Kevin Young

Sub not used

Notes:
At last, a gate over 4,000!!! I remember the ground feeling quite full compared to how it had been for the earlier games this season. Alan Young had put Notts ahead before Bury turned the score around, Mick Waitt then netted a very late equaliser. Bury's no.2 went on to play for Arsenal and, after his playing career ended, he became a BBC TV pundit - regularly appearing on "Football Focus".

Top six following the draw with Bury
                     P   GD  Pts
1. Reading           9   +11  27
2. Walsall          9   +11  21
3. Wigan Athletic    9   +7   16
--------------------------------
4. Notts County      9   +3   16
5. Gillingham        9   +3   15
6. Chesterfield      9   +2   15

Tuesday 1st October 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Bristol Rovers 1
Penrice

Notts County 1
McParland

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 3,549

Saturday 5th October 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Derby County 2
Chandler (pen) 13
Davison 66

Notts County 0

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 14,406

Fulham 4
Barnett
Marshall
Pike
Coney

AET

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 3,054

Fulham go through 5-3 on aggregate

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- 7th/24 in the 3rd tier
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   Darren Davis *
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   David Hunt
9.   Alan Young *
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Clarke

Sub: Wayne Fairclough *

Fulham
Colours:- All Red with black trimmings
League Position:- 13th/24 in the 2nd tier
Manager: Ray Harford

1.   Gerry Peyton
2.   Brian Cottington
3.   Cliff Carr
4.   Peter Scott
5.   Jeff Hopkins
6.   Paul Parker
7.   John Marshall
8.   Kenny Achampong
9.   Dean Coney
10. Chris Pike
11. Gary Barnett

Sub not used

Notes:
Notts led 3-1 on aggregate at one stage, but Fulham scored twice in the 2nd half to make it 2-2 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate to take the tie into extra-time. The visitors then nettted twice more.

Bristol City 0

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 4,332

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 6th/24, after match 5th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland *
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Hunt

Sub: Tony Daws *

Bristol City
Colours:- Red shirts, White shorts, Red socks
League Position:- before match 18th/24, after match 19th/24
Manager: Terry Cooper

1.   Keith Waugh
2.   Lee Rogers
3.   Rob Newman
4.   Keith Curle
5.   David Moyes
6.   Brian Williams  Sent Off
7.   Howard Pritchard
8.   Bob Hutchinson
9.   Steve Johnson *
10. Alan Walsh
11. Steve Neville

Sub: Glyn Riley *

Notes:
A hat-trick for midfielder David Hunt, the first coming from a corner at the Meadow Lane end when Hunt was first to reach a flick-on by Waitt, the 2nd was similar - another flick-on from a corner and Hunt this time bravely flung himself through a crowded penalty area to get the touch with both ball and Hunt ending up in the back of the net, and the 3rd was a firm low shot after Goodwin's effort had been beaten out by the Bristol City keeper. McParland made it 4-0 with a flying header.

Top seven following the win over Bristol City
                     P   GD  Pts
1. Reading           12  +16  36
2. Walsall           12  +8   22
3. Wigan Athletic    12  +9   21
--------------------------------
4. York City         12  +12  20
5. Notts County      12  +5   20
6. Brentford         12  -2   20
7. Derby County      11  +11  19

Chesterfield 1
Moss

HT 1-1
Attendance:- 5,776

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 5th/24, after match 3rd/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Mick Waitt *
11. David Hunt

Sub: Mark Robinson *

Chesterfield
Colours:- ?Blue shirts, White shorts, Blue socks?
League Position:- before match 9th/24, after match 10th/24
Manager: John Duncan

1.   Chris Marples
2.   Brian Scrimgeour
3.   Sean O'Neill
4.   Paul Batty
5.   Steve Baines
6.   Les Hunter
7.   Steve Spooner
8.   Ernie Moss
9.   Phil Walker
10. Mick Henderson
11. Tony Reid *

Sub: Dave Caldwell *

Notes:
The Magpies also had three goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in this match. Chesterfield had equalised before Mark Goodwin's 2nd half penalty winner and with the Meadow Lane gates steadily climbing, Notts moved into a promotion place (still no such thing as play-off's this season, they would be introduced the following season). Derby were one place behind Notts with a game in hand whilst Reading were top with an incredible 100% record, 13 wins from 13 games - seemingly having sewn up one of the three promotion spots before we'd even reached November!

Top six following the win over Chesterfield
                     P   GD  Pts
1. Reading           13  +17  39
2. Walsall           13  +8   23
3. Notts County      13  +6   23
--------------------------------
4. Derby County      12  +12  22
5. Gillingham        13  +3   22
6. Wigan Athletic    13  +7   21

Tuesday 22nd October 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Wigan Athletic 3
Newell
Newell
Kelly

Notts County 1
Robinson

HT 2-1
Attendance:- 3,374

Notes:
The first meeting of Notts and Wigan after the Latics had been voted into the Football League seven years earlier. Notts took and early lead but Wigan were level by HT and two goals in three minutes in the 2nd half won it for the Latics.

Wednesday 23rd October 1985
Iain McCulloch Testimonial Match

Notts County 1
Manchester United 2

Lincoln City 2
Latchford
Toman

HT 2-2
Attendance:- 6,120

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 10th/24, after match 5th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Rachid Harkouk *
11. David Hunt

Sub: Mark Robinson *

Lincoln City
Colours:- ?All Blue?
League Position:- before match 17th/24, after match 17th/24
Manager: John Pickering

1.   Dean Greygoose
2.   Bobby McNeil
3.   Mark McCarrick
4.   Neil Redfearn
5.   Ian Measham
6.   Gary Strodder *
7.   Andy Toman
8.   Phil Turner
9.   Bob Latchford
10. John McGinley
11. Gordon Mair

Sub: Warren Ward *

Notes:
A Sunday local derby. Lincoln's 11 included former Magpie Gordon Mair as well as two future 'pies - Phil Turner and a 20 year old Gary Strodder. Lincoln also had former England striker Bob Latchford (now aged 34).

Top six following the win over Lincoln City
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading           15  +15  40
2. Blackpool         15  +16  26
3. York City         15  +13  26
--------------------------------
4. Walsall           15  +10  26
5. Notts County      15  +5   26
6. Derby County      14  +12  25

Saturday 2nd November 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Walsall 0

Notts County 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 4,967

Notes:
4th placed Walsall v 5th placed Notts. A decent away point but it could easily have been three. In the final 10 minutes Ian McParland hit the post and then Notts won a penalty, but Mark Goodwin's spot kick also hit the woodwork.

Wednesday 6th November 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Reading 3
Bremner 29
Senior
Bremner 51

Notts County 1
Harkouk (pen) 75

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 6,986

Notes:
Notts visited top of the table Reading who recorded their 15th win in 17 league games, they were already 3-0 up when County were awarded a penalty converted by Harkouk. The defeat saw County tumble down to 9th place.

Bolton Wanderers 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 4,497

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 10th/24, after match 8th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Mark Robinson
11. David Hunt

Sub not used: David Kevan

Bolton Wanderers
Colours:- Red shirts with dark blue trimmings, White shorts, Red socks
League Position:- before match 17th/24, after match 17th/24
Manager: Charlie Wright

1.   Simon Farnworth
2.   Warren Joyce
3.   Jimmy Phillips
4.   Steve Thompson
5.   Mark Came
6.   Derek Scott
7.   Graham Bell
8.   Tony Caldwell
9.   Wayne Entwistle
10. Asa Hartford
11. George Oghani

Sub not used

Notes:
Bolton had been thrashed 6-1 at Meadow Lane the previous season and returned for another defeat, Dean Yates scoring the winning goal (his first for Notts). This match turned out to be long-serving Pedro Richards' last appearance for Notts at Meadow Lane (Following an Achilles tendon injury, Richards would figure in three more games later in the season but all of these were away).

Scarborough 1
Burke (pen)

HT 3-0
Attendance:- 5,621

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- 8th/24 in the 3rd tier
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Pedro Richards
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. David Hunt

Sub not used: Mark Robinson

Scarborough
Colours:- ?All Red with white pinstriped shirts?
League Position:- 5th tier (finished 15th)
Player/Manager: Harry Dunn

1.   Graeme Crawford
2.   Kenny Dennis
3.   Neil Thompson
4.   Harry Dunn
5.   Graham Hartley *
6.   ???? Coleby
7.   ???? Davis
8.   Neil Sellers
9.   David Bowman
10. David Wintersgill
11. Trenton Wiggan

Sub: ???? Buckley *

Notes:
This was County's first appearance in the 1st Round of the FA Cup since 1972 and the first time they'd met Non-league opposition since that same year. The Magpies had never previously clashed with Scarborough who had come through 4 rounds to get this far. Neil Warnock would become Scarborough's manager the following May and they went on to win promotion to the 4th Division in his first season in charge.

Saturday 23rd November 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Newport County 1
Carter

Notts County 2
McParland
Goodwin

HT 1-1
Attendance:- 1,946

Swansea City 0

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 3,912

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 7th/24, after match 4th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Iain Hesford
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Mark Robinson
11. David Hunt

Sub not used: Mark Harbottle

Swansea City
Colours:- ?Red and black?
League Position:- before match 23rd/24, after match 23rd/24
Manager: John Bond

1.   Mike Hughes
2.   David Hough
3.   Colin Sullivan
4.   Roger Gibbins
5.   Paul Price
6.   Gary Emmanuel
7.   Ray McHale
8.   Phil Williams *
9.   Sean McCarthy
10. Alan Waddle
11. Ian Davies

Sub: Neil Price *

Notes:
Goalkeeper Iain Hesford made his Notts debut having joined the club on loan from Sheffield Wednesday. I seem to recall it was quite foggy that day and I have a memory of watching Ian McParland scoring a very good goal through the mist at the Meadow Lane end in the 2nd half. Swansea were in a real financial mess at the time and manager John Bond would be sacked before Christmas.

Top seven following the win over Swansea City
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          20  +17  50
2. York City        20  +15  36
3. Gillingham       20  +15  36
--------------------------------
4. Notts County     20  +8   36
5. Plymouth Argyle  20  +9   35
6. Blackpool        20  +20  34
7. Derby County     19  +20  34

Wrexham 2
Gregory
Horne

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 4,569

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- 4th/24 in the 3rd tier
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Hunt

Sub not used: Mark Robinson

Wrexham
Colours:- All Red
League Position:- 14th/24 in the 4th tier
Manager: Dixie McNeil

1.   Mike Keen
2.   Neil Salathiel
3.   Paul Comstive
4.   Frank Jones
5.   Jack Keay
6.   Shaun Cunnington
7.   Nick Hencher
8.   Barry Horne
9.   Jim Steel *
10. Andy Edwards
11. David Gregory

Sub: John Muldoon *

Notes:
Sheffield Wednesday wouldn't allow the on-loan Iain Hesford to play in the FA Cup so Mick Leonard was back in goal.  Notts appeared to have won this tie with a goal in injury time but Wrexham came straight back to force a replay.

Tuesday 10th December 1985

FA Cup 2nd Round Replay

Wrexham 0

Notts County 3
Clarke
Waitt
McParland

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 2,645

Saturday 14th December 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Rotherham United 1
Birch (pen)

Notts County 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 3,820

Notes:
Dean Yates was sent off in this one.

Blackpool 2
Stonehouse 39
Dyer ??

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 5,926

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 6th/24, after match 8th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Iain Hesford
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Darren Davis
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Alan Young *
10. Mick Waitt
11. David Hunt

Sub: Rachid Harkouk *

Blackpool
Colours:- Orange shirts, White shorts, Orange socks
League Position:- before match 7th/24, after match 3rd/24
Manager: Sam Ellis

1.   Billy O'Rourke
2.   Brian Butler
3.   Mike Walsh
4.   John Deary
5.   Steve Hetzke
6.   Colin Greenall
7.   Ian Britton
8.   Dave Windridge
9.   Paul Stewart *
10. Kevin Stonehouse
11. Alex Dyer

Sub: Richard Sendell *

Notes:
David Clarke missed a sitter in this match which proved to be a costly miss against the side who were just below Notts going into the game. County could have gone up to 3rd had they won, David Hunt had levelled the score shortly after the break with a lob but future Pie Alex Dyer volleyed in the winner for the visitors. Striker Alan Young was subbed and this was to be his last game for Notts, he eventually moved to Rochdale the following August.

Top eight following the defeat to Blackpool
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          22  +19  56
2. Derby County     21  +24  40
3. Blackpool        22  +21  38
--------------------------------
4. Plymouth Argyle  22  +10  38
5. Brentford        22   0   38
6. York City        22  +14  37
7. Gillingham       22  +13  36
8. Notts County     22  +6   36

Wolverhampton W. 0

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 5,264

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 8th/24, after match 4th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Iain Hesford
2.   Paul Smalley *
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. David Hunt

Sub: Declan Edge *

Wolverhampton W.
Colours:- All Gold with black trimmings
League Position:- before match 24th/24, after match 24th/24
Manager: Sammy Chapman

1.   Tim Flowers
2.   Geoff Palmer
3.   David Barnes
4.   Mick Coady
5.   Rikki Herbert
6.   Micky Holmes
7.   Willie Raynes
8.   Jon Purdie *
9.   Derek Ryan
10. Campbell Chapman
11. Danny Crainie

Sub: Paul Dougherty *

Notes:
A shockingly low Boxing Day crowd for a match against Wolves, but at least Notts won convincingly to move up to 4th. New Zealand international Declan Edge came on as a sub to make his Notts debut after joining from Gisbourne City earlier this month.

Top six following the win over Wolves
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          23  +20  59
2. Derby County     21  +24  40
3. Blackpool        23  +21  39
--------------------------------
4. Notts County     23  +10  39
5. Plymouth Argyle  23  +8   38
6. Brentford        22   0   38

Saturday 28th December 1985

3rd tier League fixture

Doncaster Rovers 2
Cusack
Buckley (pen)

Notts County 1
Edge

HT 1-1
Attendance:- 3,673

Notes:
Goalkeeper Iain Hesford was sent off for racing out of his goal to flatten an opponent, David Hunt then had to go in goal. Young Mark Harbottle came on as a sub but this would be his last action for the club.

Wednesday 1st January 1986
3rd tier League fixture

Brentford P
Notts County P

Sunday 5th January 1986
FA Cup 3rd Round

Stoke City P
Notts County P

*Notts were originally scheduled to play Walsall at Meadow Lane on Saturday 4th January, but that league fixture was off as both Notts and Walsall were involved in FA Cup 3rd round weekend. The tie with Stoke was scheduled for Sunday 5th but with snow sweeping across the country it was postponed. Notts fans then found out on Monday that - if they could beat Stoke - they would be rewarded with a home 4th round match against a top flight club, the winners of a replay between Tottenham Hotspur and Oxford United. The Stoke v Notts game was re-arranged for Tuesday 7th January (forcing the cancellation of the re-scheduled Brentford v Notts match for Wednesday 8th) but Stoke's ground was still unfit and they would now have to try again on Monday 13th, by which time it was known that Spurs were awaiting the eventual winners.

Plymouth Argyle 0

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 4,953

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 9th/24, after match 5th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Wayne Fairclough
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims *
6.   Darren Davis
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Declan Edge
11. David Hunt

Sub: Mark Robinson *

Plymouth Argyle
Colours:- ?All Green with black pinstriped shirts?
League Position:- before match 3rd/24, after match 6th/24
Manager: Dave Smith

1.   Geoff Crudgington
2.   Gordon Nisbet
3.   Leigh Cooper
4.   Clive Goodyear
5.   Gerry McElhinney
6.   John Matthews
7.   Kevin Hodges
8.   Kevin Summerfield
9.   Steve Cooper *
10. John Clayton
11. Garry Nelson

Sub: Russell Coughlin *

Notes:
A big win for Notts to take them above Argyle who had been 3rd going into the game. Plymouth began well, forcing 6 corners in the opening 23 minutes, but Notts took the lead against the run of play - David Hunt prodding in from a corner. McParland was sent clear to grab the 2nd goal in the 2nd half. It completed a double for County against a side who went on to win promotion.

Top six following the win over Plymouth
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          26  +21  63
2. Derby County     22  +28  43
3. Gillingham       25  +15  43
--------------------------------
4. Wigan Athletic   25  +16  42
5. Notts County     25  +11  42
6. Plymouth Argyle  26  +8   42

Monday 13th January 1986

FA Cup 3rd Round

Stoke City 0

Notts County 2
Waitt 40
McParland 64

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 12,219

Notes:
Notts pulled off a shock win against their 2nd tier hosts to earn a 4th round tie with Tottenham Hotspur.

Thursday 16th January 1986
Associate Members Cup Preliminary Group  (Northern Section)

Notts County 1
McParland

Doncaster Rovers 0

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 1,642

Notes:
Notts had to play two games in mid-week, and with progress being made in the FA Cup they could have done without a pair of matches in the Associate Members Cup in a three-team group that also included Mansfield Town (from which only the group winners would advance). This was Notts' first ever appearance in this competition (exclusive to 3rd and 4th tier clubs) which was now in its' 3rd season. Two subs were permitted for use in this tournament and County made use of both tonight, the 2nd - Mark Robinson - making what turned out to be his final apperance for the club before ending up at Shepshed Charterhouse. This was the 5th meeting of Notts and Doncaster Rovers in 5 months after the pair had contested a 2 leg League Cup tie as well as two league games.

Saturday 18th January 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Cardiff City 1
Mullen (pen)

Notts County 3
Waitt
Mullen (og)
McParland

HT 1-1
Attendance:- 2,410

Notes:
As with the previous season, both Notts/Cardif fixtures this term went the way of the away team - Notts gaining revenge for the heavy defeat at Meadow Lane on the opening day of the season.

Tuesday 21st January 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Brentford 1
Evans 51

Notts County 1
Hunt 36

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 4,002

Notes:
This was a re-arranged fixture after the New Year's Day clash had been postponed. Among the crowd were the Spurs team and their manager Peter Shreeve. Brentford missed a penalty on 11 minutes before David Hunt headed in Paul Smalley's cross to put Notts ahead. The home side equalised in the 2nd half when Evans headed in a corner.

Tottenham Hotspur 1
C.Allen 2

Attendance:- 17,546
Referee:- Ray Lewis (Great Bookham)

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- 3rd/24 in the 3rd tier
Manager:- Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Wayne Fairclough
3.   Darren Davis
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Paul Smalley
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Declan Edge *
11. David Hunt

Sub: Rachid Harkouk *

Tottenham Hotspur
Colours:- All sky blue
League Position:- 12th/22 in the top tier
Manager:- Peter Shreeve

1.   Ray Clemence
2.   Gary Stevens
3.   Chris Hughton
4.   Gary Mabbutt
5.   Paul Miller
6.   Steve Perryman
7.   Paul Allen *
8.   Clive Allen
9.   Mark Falco
10. Glenn Hoddle
11. Chris Waddle

Sub: John Chiedozie *

This fixture was one of three cup ties selected for highlights on that night's Match of the Day on BBC1 (introduced by Jimmy Hill at 9:50-10:50pm), Tony Gubba was the commentator at Meadow Lane.

Notes:
Some 20 months after losing top flight status, Notts were briefly back in the big time thanks to a cup run which was ultimately rewarded with a home tie against the mighty Spurs - the visitors star names including long-serving England players Ray Clemence, Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle. All those who were at the game will remember it for a disallowed Notts goal from a free-kick and the drama in the dying seconds - a marvellous Notts attack ending with David Hunt striking a fierce volley from 12 yards out which seemed certain to win the game, but Clemence produced a world class save by clawing it over the bar and the referee then blew for time before Notts could take the resulting corner kick. County, fielding an all teenage back four, had fallen behind on just two minutes, Hoddle's back-heel was played forward hopefully by Falco, the ball then spun off Dean Yates' thigh and Clive Allen calmly advanced to the penalty area before beating Mick Leonard. Notts quickly pulled themselves together and had two decent chances before equalising on 21, Wayne Fairclough's cross found its way to Ian McParland whose first effort was blocked by Gary Stevens but the bounce favoured the striker who poked home for 1-1. The 2nd half saw Notts denied by the referee, with much confusion on the terraces as to why Hunt's free-kick had been disallowed (Apparently Mick Waitt was pushing, a similar offence by the same player had also cancelled out another McParland finish). It was relief for the under pressure Spurs manager, whilst Jimmy Sirrel - now 63 - responded to the post match question "Any injuries?" with "Only in the heart." Veteran Spurs, Arsenal and Northern Ireland keeper Pat Jennings, who watched the game from the main stand, described the last second Clemence save as "one in a million." Notts cup run had forced the cancellation of another home match, County should have entertained Bournemouth on this date.

Wednesday 29th January 1986

FA Cup 4th Round Replay

Tottenham Hotspur 5
Chiedozie 16
C. Allen 30
Falco 33
Waddle 80
Hoddle 88

Notts County 0

HT 3-0
Attendance:- 17,393

Notes:
For me, this was the match that killed Notts' season. There was clearly a hangover for the next game, which would be another heavy defeat and the start of a very poor run that saw County win only 2 of the next 11 league games to drop out of the promotion places and slip down to 12th place. The Associate Members Cup game at Mansfield Town was postponed having originally been scheduled for this same date.

Saturday 1st February 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Gillingham 4
Robinson
Robinson
Oakes
Musker

Notts County 0

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 4,368

Notes:
17 year old midfielder David Kevan came on as a sub to make his debut.

Wigan Athletic 1
Barrow

HT 0-1
Attendance:- 3,369

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 6ht/24, after match 6th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Iain Hesford
2.   Wayne Fairclough
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Darren Davis
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Rachid Harkouk
8.   Paul Smalley
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Declan Edge *
11. David Hunt

Sub: Paul Barnes *

Wigan Athletic
Colours:- ?All Blue with a white hoop on the shirt?
League Position:- before match 4th/24, after match 5th/24
Manager: Bryan Hamilton

1.   Roy Tunks
2.   John Butler
3.   Barry Knowles
4.   Alex Cribley
5.   Steve Walsh
6.   Colin Methven
7.   David Lowe
8.   Graham Barrow
9.   Paul Jewell
10. Kevin Langley
11. Paul Cook

Sub not used

Notes:
6th v 4th, but top marksman Ian McParland was missing for both this and the following match with an ankle injury. 18 year old Paul Barnes came on as a sub to make his County debut.

Top six following the draw with Wigan
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          28  +15  64
2. Gillingham       28  +21  50
3. Walsall          28  +20  49
--------------------------------
4. Derby County     24  +29  47
5. Wigan Athletic   28  +21  47
6. Notts County     29  +9   47

Saturday 8th February 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Chesterfield 2
Moss
Scrimgeour (pen)

Notts County 2
Edge
Waitt

HT 2-1
Attendance:- 3,623

Notes:
A lot of games were postponed today, but after two pitch inspections this match survived the weather and Notts picked up a point. Sadly it turned out to be Iain Hesford's last match for Notts before the popular keeper returned to Sheffield Wednesday.

Tuesday 11th February 1986
3rd tier League fixture

Notts County P
Walsall P

Notes:
Re-arranged from 4th January (when both sides had FA Cup 3rd round ties scheduled), the Walsall fixture was called off again - a day in advance - due to a thick covering of snow on a frozen solid pitch. Two days later Notts were due to play their Associate Members Cup game at Mansfield Town, but that also fell victim to the bad weather.

Saturday 15th February 1986
3rd tier League fixture

York City P
Notts County P

Notes:
The weekend fixtures were again decimated by bad weather, but County's match was postponed due to York City's continuing involvement in the FA Cup (Their home 5th round tie against Liverpool did go ahead and York managed to hold them to a 1-1 draw). Notts slipped down to 7th but were still only three points adrift of the promotion places. The Associate Members Cup match at Mansfield Town had been re-scheduled for Tuesday 18th, but again the snow and ice meant that it had to be postponed. Notts instead played a private practice match at Luton Town on their artificial surface, losing 4-2.

Saturday 22nd February 1986
3rd tier League fixture

Notts County P
Darlington P

Notes:
Yet another match called off well in advance, as were many other games this weekend due to continued bad weather (freezing temperatures and snow). A win for Wigan today at Bournemouth left Notts 6 points adrift of a promotion place. Yet another attempt at playing the Associate Members Cup game at Mansfield Town on Tuesday 25th February also failed to go ahead.

Saturday 1st March 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Bury 2
Madden
Jakub

Notts County 4
Waitt
Hunt
Harkouk
Barnes

HT 2-2
Attendance:- 2,379

Notes:
The bad weather continued to effect the fixtures in all divisions, but thankfully Notts got to play a match this weekend and record a victory with Paul Barnes scoring his first league goal within a minute of coming on as a sub. Notts had twice led in the 1st half, only for Bury to equalise each time, but Harkouk made it 3-2 to Notts in the 2nd half before Barnes netted the 4th.

Bristol Rovers 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 3,183

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 6th/24, after match 6th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Dean Yates
3.   David Clarke *
4.   Paul Smalley
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Darren Davis
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Declan Edge
11. David Hunt

Sub: Paul Barnes *35

Bristol Rovers
Colours:- All Yellow
League Position:- before match 14th/24, after match 14th/24
Manager: Bobby Gould

1.   Ron Green
2.   John Scales
3.   Nick Tanner
4.   Byron Stevenson
5.   Tim Parkin
6.   Andy Spring
7.   Gerry Francis
8.   Gary Penrice
9.   Paul Randall
10. Steve White
11. Mark O'Connor

Sub not used

Notes:
Despite this being the first home match for 4 weeks, only 3,183 turned up - A figure that Notts were very upset about. David Clarke limped off injured in the 1st half and Notts failed to score in a home match for the first time in a year (since the 0-0 draw with Oldham on 2nd March 1985).

Top six following the draw with Bristol Rovers
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          30  +17  70
2. Gillingham       33  +22  58
3. Wigan Athletic   32  +27  57
--------------------------------
4. Derby County     27  +31  53
5. Walsall          31  +21  53
6. Notts County     32  +11  52

Derby County 3
Micklewhite 49
Davison 67, 88

Attendance:- 13,086
Referee:- J. M. Key (Rotherham)

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 6th/24, after match 6th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Dean Yates
3.   David Clarke
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Darren Davis
7.   Ian McParland *
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. David Hunt

Sub: Declan Edge *75

Derby County
Colours:- Dark blue & light blue striped shirts, Light blue shorts, Light blue socks
League Position:- before match 4th/24, after match 4th/24
Manager: Arthur Cox

1.   Mark Wallington
2.   Paul Blades
3.   Steve Buckley
4.   Geraint Williams
5.   Rob Hindmarch
6.   Steve McLaren
7.   Gary Micklewhite
8.   Trevor Christie
9.   Bobby Davison
10. John Gregory
11. Jeff Chandler

Sub not used: Graham Harbey

Derby newspaper report
Derby County have the meanest defence in the Football League, which is why they were able to beat Notts County at Meadow Lane on Saturday. Gary Micklewhite, whose current form varies only between excellent and brilliant, turned the game Derby's way by scoring the vital first goal and laying on the other two for Bobby Davison. But the heroics in Derby's penalty area in the first 45 minutes opened the way for a result of enormous significance in the promotion race. Notts, with a stiff wind behind them, dominated the first half. They had ten corners, most of them on their right from where David Clarke hits a wicked inswinger. Add the free kicks and giant throws from Steve Sims, aimed at the lighthouse figure of Mick Waitt, and there was little breathing space. The Rams were absolutely resolute. They knew what to expect and stood firm so that, although Notts piled in, clear chances were not plentiful.

Mark Wallington's best save was from a low curling free kick. "I though that was in," said Harkouk, having hit the shot sweetly. It was about a foot inside the post but Wallington was down to block it and, as Steve Buckley whipped the ball behind, he was fouled by David Hunt. Wallington turned over an awkward centre from Sims and a fierce cross shot from Mark Goodwin but his biggest problem was getting distance on his dead-ball kicks against the wind. A free kick was intercepted for Waitt to nod Ian McParland through but the shot sailed into the massed ranks of Derby fans on the Kop. John Gregory, trying to cope with another Wallington kick which had held up, put Harkouk through but the goalkeeper was able to drop on McParland's near-post shot. It was all a bit reminiscent of Hillsborough the previous Wednesday but, crucially, Derby this time survived to the interval.

Rob Hindmarch is at his best in situations like this and his partnership with Ross MacLaren is one of the reasons why Derby are so strongly placed. Buckley and Paul Blades battle equally well and the rewards soon followed. Four minutes into the second half, MacLaren's long pass sent Micklewhite running at the Notts defence. He shook off a challenge from Tristan Benjamin and comprehensively beat Mick Leonard with a low shot. Derby were on their way and, having made all the running, it was a sickening blow for Notts.

There was still time for Notts to do something about it and, after 57 minutes, they had penalty claims dismissed when Waitt went down under a challenge from Hindmarch. Instead, they earned another corner and, with Wallington struggling among a thicket of players, the ball came to McParland on the far post. McParland, with 17 goals to his credit, snatched at a good chance and smashed his shot yards too high.

The killer goal arrived after 67 minutes, with Micklewhite again involved. Gregory found Micklewhite on the right and, when the ball was played inside, Davison turned and hit a firm shot which became devastating when it flicked off Sims to loop over Leonard's dive. I thought Davison was offside when the ball was played to him and Jimmy Sirrel said: "Everybody in the ground saw that he was except the man with the flag."  But Davison said he was behind Micklewhite when the pass was hit and, however opinions may conflict, Davison's 20th goal of the season is in the book.

McParland was replaced by Declan Edge, giving Notts Algerian (Harkouk) and New Zealand (Edge) internationals in attack but Derby were in charge now and added a final flourish with a couple of minutes remaining. Again the danger came from Micklewhite. He looked as if he would go all the way but gave the ball to Davison, who sidestepped Leonard and rolled in his shot. Sims, magnificent for Notts, was booked after 83 minutes following a tangle with Gregory. It looked as if Gregory was the guilty party and Sims came off worse, collecting a foot injury. Arthur Cox said there were 19 Cup ties to come and this was the first. Derby won because they battled and refused to yield an inch to Notts. Having established they could compete on physical terms they made their extra striking power count.
 

Notes:
The Rams line-up included ex-Notts goalscoring hero Trevor Christie and future England manager Steve McClaren. Going into the match, Notts were just one point behind Derby but we had played 5 games more, so this really was a must win game. The defeat was a major blow to promotion hopes, Notts having now won only 1 of the last 7 league games.

Top six following the defeat to Derby
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          31  +15  70
2. Gillingham       34  +22  59
3. Wigan Athletic   32  +27  57
--------------------------------
4. Derby County     28  +34  56
5. Walsall          32  +22  56
6. Notts County     33  +8   52

Tuesday 11th March 1986
Associate Members Cup Preliminary Group

Mansfield Town 1
Lowery

Notts County 0

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 3,447

Notes:
This tie had been postponed no less than five times! But the farcical situation would only get worse as the result meant that the final group table was tied up with all three clubs on identical records. Incredibly, with other clubs having already booked their place two rounds ahead, Notts, Doncaster and Mansfield would all have to play eachother again!!! The situation seemed even more rediculous given that the knock-out stage did not require replays as drawn matches were decided on penalties.

Group 6 North Final Table
                    GD Pts
1= Doncaster Rovers  0  3
1= Mansfield Town    0  3
1= Notts County      0  3

Saturday 15th March 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Bristol City 3
Walsh
Moyes
Riley

Notts County 0

HT 1-0
Attendance:- 5,701

Notes:
Not a happy debut for on-loan Everton goalkeeper Bobby Mimms.

Thursday 20th March 1986
Associate Members Cup Preliminary Group 'Play Off'

Notts County 0

Mansfield Town 1
Luke

HT
Attendance:- 2,409

Notes:
Mansfield had beaten Doncaster 4-2 in the first of the 'play off's' on Monday (the play-off's basically being replays of all three Group 6 games with the venues reversed), so tonight's result meant that the Stags won the group and there was now no need for Notts to play a final group game at Doncaster.

Replayed Group 6 North Final Table (with one game to be left unplayed)
                    GD Pts
1. Mansfield Town   +3  6
2. Notts County     -1  0
3. Doncaster Rovers -2  0

Saturday 22nd March 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Lincoln City 0

Notts County 2
Waitt
Waitt

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 3,468

Notes:
The last game for on-loan keeper Bobby Mimms before he was recalled by Everton having lost their regular keeper to an injury for the remainder of the season. Mimms ended up playing in the FA Cup final in May.

Brentford 4
Burke
Cooke
Cooke
Holloway

HT 0-3
Attendance:- 3,857

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 7th/24, after match 11th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Paul Smalley *
3.   Darren Davis
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. Paul Barnes

Sub: David Clarke *

Brentford
Colours:- ?Dark & Light Blue striped shirts, Light Blue shorts, Light Blue socks?
League Position:- before match 9th/24, after match 7th/24
Manager: Frank McLintock

1.   Gary Phillips
2.   Roger Joseph
3.   Jamie Murray
4.   Keith Millen
5.   Danis Salman
6.   Bob Booker
7.   Steve Burke
8.   Andy Sinton
9.   Steve Butler
10. Robbie Cooke
11. Ian Holloway

Sub not used

Notes:
Notts had quickly replaced Bobby Mimms with another on-loan keeper - John Davies from Hull City - but this was to be the most depressing afternoon I'd yet experienced at Meadow Lane. 3-0 down at half-time and the weather was diabolical, heavy rain being blown by a gale underneath the County Road stand roof and lashed into our faces and soaking us from head to toe. Any last vestige of promotion hope was well and truly extinguished, the result saw Notts drop to 11th and they were now 10 points adrift of 3rd (whilst Derby in 4th still had 3 games in hand on Notts).

Monday 31st March 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Wolverhampton W. 2
Mutch
Edwards

Notts County 2
Waitt
Goodwin

HT 2-2
Attendance:- 3,774

Notes:
Declan Edge came on as a sub to make what turned out to be his last appearance for Notts.

Reading 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 3,711

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 12th/24, after match 11th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   Darren Davis
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Rachid Harkouk
11. David Clarke

Sub not used

Reading
Colours:- ?Yellow?
League Position:- before match 1st/24, after match 1st/24
Manager: Ian Branfoot

1.   Gary Westwood
2.   Gary Peters
3.   Steve Richardson
4.   Stuart Beavon
5.   Nigel Stevenson
6.   Steve Wood
7.   Jerry Williams
8.   Dean Horrix
9.   Trevor Senior
10. Mark White
11. Andy Rogers

Sub not used

Notes:
A sad end to Rachid Harkouk's career at Notts, he missed a penalty in this match and then later that night somebody mentioned it to him in a bar and Harkouk assaulted him. The incident made the local TV news the following Monday. Harkouk didn't play again for Notts this season and a knee injury sustained in the World Cup whilst playing for Algeria against Spain in June finished his career.

Walsall 1
Cross

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 2,490

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 11th/24, after match 8th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   Darren Davis
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Paul Barnes
11. David Clarke

Sub not used

Walsall
Colours:- ?Red shirts, White shorts, Red socks?
League Position:- before match 6th/24, after match 6th/24
Manager: Alan Buckley

1.   Mark Prudhoe
2.   Paul Jones
3.   Kenny Mower
4.   Steve Daley *
5.   Colin Brazier
6.   Peter Hart
7.   Mark Rees
8.   Nicky Cross
9.   Richard O'Kelly
10. Steve Elliot
11. Willie Naughton

Sub: David Kelly *

Notes:
Thiis fixture had twice been postponed, 5th January (due to the FA Cup 3rd round) and 11th February (Bad weather). Meadow Lane gates had now collapsed, this being the first league crowd at Notts to fall below 3,000 since 1970 (for an end of season 4th tier game).

Top eight following the win over Walsall
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          39  +15  83
2. Plymouth Argyle  39  +24  71
3. Wigan Athletic   39  +28  70
--------------------------------
4. Gillingham       41  +26  70
5. Derby County     36  +37  69
6. Walsall          41  +22  65
7. Doncaster Rovers 40  -2   61
8. Notts County     39  +5   60

Saturday 12th April 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Bolton Wanderers 1
Phillips 72

Notts County 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 4,688

Bournemouth 1
O'Connor

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 2,423

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 10th/24, after match 7th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   Darren Davis
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Paul Barnes
11. David Clarke

Sub not used

Bournemouth
Colours:- ?All Red with white trim?
League Position:- before match 14th/24, after match 14th/24
Manager: Harry Redknapp

1.   John Smeulders
2.   Mark Nightingale
3.   Paul Morrell
4.   Mark Newson
5.   Roger Brown
6.   John Beck
7.   Sean O'Driscoll
8.   Keith Williams
9.   Colin Clarke
10. Ian Thompson *
11. Mark O'Connor

Sub: Colin Russell *

Notes:
This was a re-arranged fixture after the original date (25th January) was taken by Notts 4th round FA Cup match at home to Spurs.

Top seven following the win over Bournemouth
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          40  +15  84
2. Plymouth Argyle  40  +27  74
3. Derby County     38  +36  72
--------------------------------
4. Wigan Athletic   41  +28  72
5. Gillingham       42  +23  70
6. Walsall          43  +25  69
7. Notts County     41  +6   63

Newport County 2
Staniforth (pen)
Mardenborough

HT 0-2
Attendance:- 3,279

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 7th/24, after match 8th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Paul Smalley
3.   Darren Davis
4.   Tristan Benjamin
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Paul Barnes
11. David Clarke

Sub not used

Newport County
Colours:- ?All Amber with black trim?
League Position:- before match 21st/24, after match 20th/24
Manager: John Relish

1.   Mark Kendall
2.   Linden Jones
3.   John Lewis
4.   Steve Berry
5.   Graham Rogers
6.   Terry Boyle
7.   Steve Mardenborough  Sent Off 44
8.   Tony Pulis
9.   Bob Latchford
10. Gordon Staniforth
11. Roy Carter

Sub not used

Notes:
A big win for Newport in their battle against relegation, though they incensed the home fans with fouls and arguing with the referee and they were reduced to ten men just before the break. Notts pulled one back at the start of the 2nd half, but despite sustained pressure an equaliser was not forthcoming. Former England striker Bob Latchford made his 2nd appearance at Meadow Lane this season having joined Newport from Lincoln.

Top eight following the defeat to Newport County
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          42  +17  88 P
2. Derby County     39  +37  75
3. Wigan Athletic   42  +31  75
--------------------------------
4. Plymouth Argyle  42  +24  75
5. Gillingham       43  +25  73
6. Walsall          44  +24  69
7. York City        42  +14  63
8. Notts County     42  +5   63

Tuesday 22nd April 1986

3rd tier League fixture

York City 2
Walwyn
MacPhail (pen)

Notts County 2
Barnes
McParland (pen)

HT 2-1
Attendance:- 3,211

Notes:
This fixture had originally been scheduled for 15th February but was called off due to York City's involvement in the FA Cup 5th round. Goalkeeper Tim Dalton made his one and only appearance for Notts in this match.

Saturday 26th April 1986

3rd tier League fixture

Swansea City 0

Notts County 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 3,869

Notes:
The final appearance of Pedro Richards, who had made his Notts debut in the 1974/75 season.

Rotherham United 0

HT 0-0
Attendance:- 3,123

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 8th/24, after match 8th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Tristan Benjamin
3.   Darren Davis
4.   David Kevan
5.   Steve Sims
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Paul Barnes
11. David Clarke

Sub not used

Rotherham United
Colours:- ?Red shirts with white sleeves, White shorts, Red socks?
League Position:- before match 13th/24, after match 13th/24
Manager: Norman Hunter

1.   Kelham O'Hanlon
2.   Andy Barnsley
3.   Phil Crosby
4.   Mick Gooding
5.   Kevan Smith
6.   Mick Pickering
7.   Alan Birch *
8.   Dean Emerson
9.   Mike Trusson
10. John Dungworth
11. Daral Pugh

Sub: Nigel Pepper *

Notes:
The final Saturday of the season, though after this victory Notts still had one re-arranged fixture left to play.

Darlington 0

HT 2-0
Attendance:- 2,345

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 8th/24, after match 8th/24
Manager: Jimmy Sirrel

1.   John Davies
2.   Tristan Benjamin
3.   Darren Davis
4.   David Kevan
5.   Steve Sims *
6.   Dean Yates
7.   Ian McParland
8.   Mark Goodwin
9.   Mick Waitt
10. Paul Barnes
11. David Clarke

Sub: Craig Jackson *

Darlington
Colours:- ?All Red or All Blue?
League Position:- before match 15th/24, after match 15th/24
Manager: Cyril Knowles

1.   Mike Astbury
2.   Paul Ward
3.   Gary Morgan
4.   Mike Sanderson
5.   Graeme Aldred
6.   Phil Lloyd
7.   Alan Roberts
8.   Dave Woodcock
9.   Carl Airey
10. John Douglas *
11. Peter Robinson

Sub: John Huntley *

Notes:
A re-arranged fixture which had been postponed on 22nd February due to bad weather. The gate was the 2nd lowest attendance for a league game at Meadow Lane since the 2nd World War. 17 year old centre back Craig Jackson came on as a sub to make his debut. On-loan keeper John Davies made his farewell appearance. Notts signed off with a handsome victory, but in the final reckoning they finished 13 points adrift of the top three.

Top eight of the final 3rd tier table
                    P   GD  Pts
1. Reading          46  +16  94 P
2. Plymouth Argyle  46  +35  87 P
3. Derby County     46  +39  84 P
--------------------------------
4. Wigan Athletic   46  +34  83
5. Gillingham       46  +27  79
6. Walsall          46  +26  75
7. York City        46  +19  71
8. Notts County     46  +11  71

Wolves and Cardiff City, two clubs who Notts had been relegated with from the 2nd tier the previous season, were both demoted to the 4th tier. Incredibly for Wolves, it was their 3rd successive demotion. Swansea City and Lincoln City were also relegated.

Thursday 8th May 1986
County Cup Final

Nottingham Forest  2
Notts County 0

For appearance stats, final table and at-a-glance results for season 1985/86 see here