League Two promotion hopefuls, Notts County, have strengthened their ranks recently with the winter transfer additions of a goalkeeper, a defender, and an attacking midfielder.

Despite having slipped to eighth in the table of late, Martin Paterson’s charges are just four points off a Walsall side in the third automatic promotion spot, whilst also having a game in hand on two (Chesterfield and MK Dons) of the sides directly above them in the table.

Nottingham-born shot-stopper, James Belshaw, returns to his hometown club, some two decades on from leaving Meadow Lane’s youth set-up, embarking upon a career that saw him take in three spells at Harrogate Town.

A hero at Wetherby Road, Belshaw would make 284 appearances for the club he helped in their rise to the Football League, following success in the playoffs of both 2018 and 2020, whilst also being on the bench as they lifted the FA Trophy in the latter of those two campaigns.

In late 2023, whilst with Bristol Rovers, Belshaw was sent on a ‘seven-day emergency loan’ to Forest Green Rovers, it was a loan that became two-and-a-half months; Harrogate though is where his heart has been, returning there in the December of 2023, before returning to Meadow Lane, for an undisclosed fee, this month.

Upon signing an eighteen-month contract at the club, County’s Director of Football, Richard Montague, said of Belshaw’s arrival: “He’s been a very consistent performer over the course of his more than 200 EFL appearances and has been a hugely popular figure everywhere he’s played, which reflects his character and professionalism.

“This move will obviously mean a lot to him and his family and we’re delighted to help make his dream of playing for Notts a reality.”

In addition to the arrival of Belshaw, who’ll challenge County’s current number one, Kelle Roos between the sticks, manager Paterson has also brought in defensive cover in 20-year-old former Crystal Palace U21s captain Luke Browne.

Although never making a first team appearance for the Premier League side, centre-half Browne did register near 50 appearances (combined) for their U18s and U21s, following his signing from League of Ireland side, Shelbourne, in January 2024.

The signing of Browne comes in the aftermath of Sonny Aljofree’s loan spell in Nottingham being cut short, he returning to his parent club, Manchester United; Browne has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further twelve months.

Explaining the club’s decision to bring in Browne, Montague added: “The club has been monitoring Luke for a couple of years now and believe he’s been one of the best defenders in Premier League 2 over that time.

“He still has a lot of development ahead of him but has all the natural attributes you look for in a defender and significant potential to improve over the coming years.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring him to the club.”

County have also brought in a new striker, raiding National League side Tamworth for their 23-year-old front-man, Beck-Ray Enoru, who also signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club.

Born in Cameroon, Enoru has been in the UK for the past seven years, exciting fans of the Lambs after he signed for them towards the latter stages of the 2023-24 season.

Montague spoke of Enoru’s abilities, adding: “Beck-Ray has a very exciting profile and will add another dimension to our attack.

“As well as being extremely quick, he’s a very talented one-v-one dribbler and a real threat in the attacking third.”

The trio could be in line to make their debuts in Saturday’s EFL League Two trip to fourth-bottom Crawley Town, with back-to-back home games to follow against Crewe Alexandra (Saturday 24 January) and Swindon Town (Tuesday 27 January).

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Official_NCFC Lifelong Notts fan James Belshaw has joined from Harrogate.