pic of the 1963 scoreboard being built

[upthemaggies]

Stumbled over this recently, shows the skeleton of the old kop scoreboard behind Jeff Astle.

Incidentally, I used the same scoreboard's number boards font to select the "on this day" date on the site, it's Gil Sans Bold which was very popular in the 1960s. You can see them here....
http://carousel.royalwebhosting.net/utm/maggies06.html

[IluvNotts]

Great picture which brings back many childhood memories from Meadow Lane.
Behind Jeff you can see the "pen" which was constructed for younger supporters to avoid any crush and also for them to get a clearer view of the game. When my dad first started taking me to see Notts towards the end of 1959 he used to put me in there where I was able to get a great view leaning on the front wall. Notts were fighting their way out the 4th division in the 1959-60 season having been relegated the season before. The crowds had diminished so the risk of kids getting crushed was almost non existent although there were nearly 26000 in Meadow Lane to watch Notts play non league Bath City in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. It was the highest attendance Notts managed that season and the match was featured on Match of the Day that night. The curse of Notts on TV struck that day and Notts lost 1-0. There were many in the ground that day would have been amongst the 47310 who a few seasons earlier had watched Notts lose 1-0 to York City in the 6th round of the FA Cup. Notts finished 7th in Division 2 during that 1954/5 season and the following season Notts captain Leon Leuty died of leukemia aged just 35. Thereafter Notts decline was rapid. The 50s had begun with Lawton and Sewell leading Notts back into the 2nd Division but then sustained success didn't return to Meadow Lane until Sir Jimmy arrived at the end of the 60s

[upthemaggies]

Great picture which brings back many childhood memories from Meadow Lane.
Behind Jeff you can see the "pen" which was constructed for younger supporters to avoid any crush and also for them to get a clearer view of the game. When my dad first started taking me to see Notts towards the end of 1959 he used to put me in there where I was able to get a great view leaning on the front wall. Notts were fighting their way out the 4th division in the 1959-60 season having been relegated the season before. The crowds had diminished so the risk of kids getting crushed was almost non existent although there were nearly 26000 in Meadow Lane to watch Notts play non league Bath City in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. It was the highest attendance Notts managed that season and the match was featured on Match of the Day that night. The curse of Notts on TV struck that day and Notts lost 1-0. There were many in the ground that day would have been amongst the 47310 who a few seasons earlier had watched Notts lose 1-0 to York City in the 6th round of the FA Cup. Notts finished 7th in Division 2 during that 1954/5 season and the following season Notts captain Leon Leuty died of leukemia aged just 35. Thereafter Notts decline was rapid. The 50s had begun with Lawton and Sewell leading Notts back into the 2nd Division but then sustained success didn't return to Meadow Lane until Sir Jimmy arrived at the end of the 60s

Selling Sewell in March 1951 looks like it was the turning point in terms of losing the upwards momentum, Notts - fresh from promotion - were 11th at the time but then only won further match that season and slumped to what would become a familiar position in the bottom third of the 2nd tier until they were finally relegated in 1958. There are reports of protests by supporters at the time of the sale and I can't understand why the club felt it was necessary - The last two gates before Sewell went to Sheff Wed were 25,000 and 31,000, 21k was the lowest of the campaign, so they couldn't have been short of money, players were still subject to a maximum wage and generally did as they were told, I doubt Sewell forced the issue himself. what were they thinking?

[navypie]

Stumbled over this recently, shows the skeleton of the old kop scoreboard behind Jeff Astle.

Incidentally, I used the same scoreboard's number boards font to select the "on this day" date on the site, it's Gil Sans Bold which was very popular in the 1960s. You can see them here....
http://carousel.royalwebhosting.net/utm/maggies06.html

Great find utm. I grew up that scoreboard so seeing it being built is amazing.

ps. My lad asked me this morning what happened a year ago today. I guessed it was Swindon.

[upthemaggies]

ps. My lad asked me this morning what happened a year ago today. I guessed it was Swindon.

Also on this day, 4th May, Jimmy Sirrel's last home game in charge when he decided to take a walk all the way around the edge the pitch at the start of the 2nd half. One of my all time outstanding memories.

Saw a forum post by a Luton Town fan recently who mentioned that his worst memory following the Hatters was losing at Notts in 1992 which saw them relegated out of the top flight, that was the very last time the old scoreboard was used and I remember a bit of a buzz going round the ground when they put the Coventry score up (Luton needing them to lose).

[TheBlackHorse]

... talking of Jimmy walking around the pitch, we were away at Liverpool - can't remember if it was a league or cup game - but as he reached the corner, he practised taking a corner (without the ball) but was really demonstrating there was insufficient room for players to run up. Needless to say you could see the locals giving him some stick. Unperturbed, Jimmy continued around the pitch and did the same at each corner ... priceless ... no doubt the referee was counselled before kick off! What a man.