2009/10
The 2010's promised big changes for both Notts and televised lower-league football. Following the most miserable decade in County's history, in which they consistently finished near the bottom of the 4th tier and almost went out of business, the world's oldest Football League club attracted the attention of 'Munto Finance' who were said to be keen on the idea of taking a club from rock bottom to the very top. It was announced on 4th June 2009 that the Middle-East based consortium of investors were on the verge of pouring millions into the club - subject to the agreement of the Supporters Trust. Chairman John Armstrong-Holmes, who had been in secret discussions with the investors for some time, urged members to vote 'yes' to a motion which would see Munto take complete control, the ballot on 29th June gave Munto the thumbs-up to press ahead and the takeover was completed on 14th July with Peter Trembling formerly announced as the new Chairman.

Sven-Göran Eriksson
On the morning of Tuesday 21st July 2009, seven days after Munto had gained control, the media exploded with rumours that Sven-Göran Eriksson (who had taken England to a 2nd successive World Cup Quarter-finals just three years earlier) was about to become Notts County's 'Director of Football'. In a frenzy of excitement not witnessed at Meadow Lane since the arrival of Tommy Lawton in 1947, national newspapers, television channels, radio stations and web-sites made County the headline story, ITV's "News at Ten" programme sent a camera to Arnold Town who were entertaining Notts in a friendly that evening at their new Eagle Valley ground. The following morning, Eriksson's appointment was confirmed at a lunchtime press conference broadcast live to 118 countries. With County's brand new emblem on display behind him, Eriksson explained his reason's for joining the Magpies; "I could have gone elsewhere and earned more, but I'm here for the challenge. I always wanted to come back to the Premier League because it is the best League in the world. I have chosen a little bit more of a difficult way to do it. It will take some years, but after speaking to the chairman Peter Trembling and the investors, I am sure we will do it. We are starting from the bottom of the bottom and trying to take it to the top. Hopefully that will happen." The story dominated the national sport headlines for a 2nd day, even the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a comment on it.

Pre-Season
Sven's first match was a pre-season friendly v Nottingham Forest on Saturday 25th July, Meadow Lane's highest attendance for over 4 years (12,040) turned up along with cameras from Sky Sports, BBC East Midlands and ITV Central to witness a 2-1 victory for Notts against their 2nd tier neighbours with goals by new signings Luke Rodgers and Lee Hughes. Highlights of Notts 31/07/09 friendly at home to a Liverpool XI were shown in a 15 minute "Action Replay" slot on LFC TV the following week, the match was drawn 2-2.

TV Rights
BBC cameras were now able to cover Football League games for the first time since 1987/88 as TV rights for the Championship, League One and League Two (plus the League Cup) were now exclusive to the BBC and SKY. The BBC's deal included 10 live Championship matches as well as a weekly Saturday night highlights programme "The Football League Show" presented by Manish Bhasin. There was also a change to Premiership rights - After failing to meet payment deadlines on 19th June 2009, Setanta Sports in Britain lost their live packages and these were then snapped up by another subscription channel, ESPN. The lions share of televised football continued to be held by SKY whilst the now much troubled and discredited ITV was left with England home games and an FA Cup package.

Notts' enjoyed unabated media coverage in the run up to their opening League fixture v Bradford City on 8th August, Sven was interviewed by Garth Crooks for a feature on "Football Focus" and also gave interviews to Sky Sports and East Midlands Today. In a matter of weeks, County had gone from 33-1 outsiders to among the favourites to win the league, their opening day opponents were also hot favourites, yet Notts romped to their biggest ever opening day victory, 5-0, thus ensuring plenty of reference and comment on the opening edition of BBC1's "The Football League Show". Further national media interest surrounded the signing of former England star Sol Campbell (veteran of three World Cup and three Euro tournaments) on 25th August, Campbell sat alongside Ian McParland and Peter Trembling at the press conference which was broadcast live on Sky Sports News who made the signing their top story of the day, but an unfit Campbell only made one appearance for the club before deciding to quit on 23rd September, resulting in yet another headline story from Meadow Lane. With the Football League still yet to ratify the takeover, Campbell's departure helped fuel malicious stories in the press questioning the credentials of the private investors - One betting agency had even stopped taking bets on Notts being relegated amid rumours that County would be deducted 30 points!

11/10/09 Notts County (Westcarr, Davies) 2 Torquay United 2 (Ellis, Sills)
*LIVE* on SKY SPORTS 1
Commentators: Alan Parry & Scott Minto
Notts began well in this 5:15pm Sunday kick-off against 23rd placed Torquay, Craig Westcarr fired County ahead on 12 minutes and Ben Davies struck home a sweet free-kick for 2-0 on 33. Notts appeared to be cruising to a handsome victory until Torquay pulled an undeserved goal back just before half-time on 43. Notts became anxious in the 2nd half and their passing game broke down whilst the visitors came more into match, eventually forcing home an equaliser on 77. County looked for a late winner and Karl Hawley was unlucky when his angled header came back off the inside of the post, the Magpies had to settle for a point yet it was still enough to move them up from 8th to 5th. Peter Beagrie and former Notts manager Neil Warnock were the half-time/full-time summarisers seated at the top of the Main stand. The game was also simulcast on Sky SPORTS HD1 (High Definition).

Manager Ian McParland was sacked the day after the disappointing televised home draw with lowly Torquay. Speculation as to who would replace McParland had begun before he was even dismissed, with media pundits predicting his imminent departure from the moment Sven-Göran Eriksson arrived. Among those being linked with the job were, incredibly, Roberto Mancini - who had twice guided Inter Milan to the Serie A title. With the takeover finally ratified by the League on the 20th October, Sven was responsible for choosing the new team manager and he plumped for his former assistant at Manchester City and Mexico, fellow Swede Hans Backe, who was appointed on 27th October (Both Eriksson and Backe had turned down offers to manager the Swedish national team a week earlier). Backe's first game in charge attracted the attention of "The Football League Show" who made a special extended report on the 1-1 draw at home to Shrewsbury Town on 31/10/09.

Kleenex Ad
A TV commercial for Kleenex premiered on 2nd November starring the Notts County Director of Football, Sven was shown playing keepy-uppy with a balled-up tissue. The ad also featured Bob Geldorf, actor Tom Hardy and Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

21/12/09 Bournemouth v Notts County
*LIVE* on SKY SPORTS
7.45pm kick-off.
 
 

(C)2001 - 2009 Up the Maggies

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