This is Notts County pictured in 1975/6 when they finished fifth in the old Division Two. Apparently this was the last time the Magpies finished above neighbours, Nottingham Forest in the league. Of course, a genius had just taken over the reigns on the opposite bank of the Trent and truly amazing things were just about to happen in Nottingham…
At that time I watched a lot of football, each Saturday afternoon visiting Notts’ Meadow Lane or Forests’ City Ground. Most Tuesday and Wednesday night fixtures too. These familiar and affectionate imposters in my football allegiances were however only ever secondary to my one true football love residing at Easter Road and the always treasured trips home to see the green and white. What a team and what players we had in that era too…
The interesting thing about this shot to me is that I can instantly, without hesitation, name every single individual in that team photo, even the reserve goalie. In these times, of numerous loans, Bosmans and short term contracts we can barely even remember who played for our team the season before last.
Just to prove the former point, here goes:
Back row: Dave McVay, Kevin Randall, Pedro Richards, Les Bradd, Arthur Mann
Centre: Ray O’Brien, Steve Carter, Eric McManus, Frank Lane, Dave Needham, Ian Bolton
Front: Jack Wheeler (Trainer) Eric Probert, Bill Brindley, Ronnie Fenton (Manager) Brian Stubbs, Ian Scanlon, Mick Vinter.
THE TEARS OF A CLOWN 
Surely Paul Hooks is Bill Brindley!
Hi Andy, you’re right of course! Sorry, I must have been having a bit of a moment there, thanks!