Since the announcement of Notts County FC’s new head coach Luke Williams arriving at Meadow Lane little over a fortnight ago, plenty of changes on and off the pitch have been occurring as the club sets into its pre-season stride.
Additions include Aden Baldwin, a 25-year-old centre back from one of Williams old clubs MK Dons, whilst Cedwyn Scott joins from Gateshead, he joins former Tynesiders team-mate Macaulay Langstaff in the Notts roster for the season ahead. Langstaff arriving prior to Williams taking charge, whilst strike partner Scott scored 24 goals last season, in a two-tone attack that netted 52 to send Gateshead up as champions from the National League North.
Two more players from Kidderminster Harriers have been added, Sam Austin is an attacking midfielder who has captained the Aggborough based outfit playing over 200 matches for the carpetmen whilst Geraldo Bajrami is a 22-year-old centre back who started his career at Birmingham City.
Extending stays, include Adam Chicksen who renews for a further year whilst promising goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks signs a three-year deal. Lewis Knight however has departed to Gateshead and two star players in Cal Roberts and Ruben Rodrigues have been attracting clubs in the football league and beyond.
Head Coach Luke Williams has set up a stringent training programme with double training sessions per day as he aims to get top fitness into his players ahead of the new campaign. He said “We want to work within the remits of what is safe for the players. We do not want injured players and those who are burnt out by the time the League season starts. But at the same time we do not want to waste a moment and we want to use all time appropriately and we believe in hard work.”
“Hard work is not always just physical, it is often going through stuff on the training pitch that might not be physically challenging but you have to be present and concentrate. We will work closely with the staff to make sure everything is appropriate and for the players best interests but at the same time there is going to be plenty of work.”
Off the pitch, the club are currently building a paddle tennis centre behind the Spion Kop which could add a further revenue stream to club coffers whilst the Broken Wheelbarrow, has been renamed the Meadow Lane Sports Bar to the delight of many Magpies supporters who to this day, have always simply called it ‘the Meadow Club’.
Finally, the clubs new PUMA home and away kits will be released on Friday midday (available at the club shop) whilst season ticket prices have been frozen, with renewals and early bird offerings available until July 4th.
*Main image @Official_NCFC Geraldo Bajrami and Sam Austin (right) both sign from Kidderminster.
