Notts Preparing For New Season
Making changes are a constant reminder that football continues to evolve in the modern era. Gone are the days of twelve or fourteen player squads playing 60 game seasons between them, now so often footballers will move to and from for better more attractive deals, contract up, the idea to look elsewhere first, renegotiate second, means for an ever-revolving door at our favoured clubs, especially so the lower down the ladder you go.
Had Notts County earned promotion last season, there would have guaranteed, been changes to improve the squad, the fact Notts failed to go up to endure a third successive season in the National League, England’s fifth tier and yet another campaign outside the required 92, also means changes, because what wasn’t good enough to make target over 43 league matches and a couple of playoff games during 2020/21, now means that the class of 2021/22 must do better… Or Notts will suffer a fourth straight season of non-league football… Which for a team that has historically been so much better than that during the majority of its 159 year history… Is far from good enough.
The new regime cannot be blamed, but Ian Burchnall was thrown into a fire that hardly needed putting out… A terrible start for the new man at the helm following the parting of Neal Ardley, Notts out of the FA Trophy when it looked harder to lose, eight points in their next nine league games would ensure playoffs at best would be end goal.
Burchnall’s side has improved, largely since Michael Doyle was given a role as number two, and Notts were unlucky to lose in extra time at Torquay, but that defeat meant changes would happen, Notts have again had to rebuild their team with a view that ‘this time’ they can get it right.
Jake Reeves, Enzio Boldewijn, Ben Turner some of those through the exit door, whilst the likes of Mark Ellis, Calvin Miller and Jimmy Knowles returned to their parent clubs after successful loans, Ellis who was fabulous during his short spell snapped up by Barrow from Tranmere, Miller going to Chesterfield from Harrogate.
But Notts have started making replacements, and the first new face of the summer Kyle Cameron comes in from Torquay United.
A friend and team-mate during his young Newcastle United days of Notts winger Cal Roberts, Cameron is a no-nonsense centre half who can also play at left back.
With over 100 games at Plainmoor, Northumberland born Cameron brings with him vital league experience and know-how despite his young age, still just 24 he agrees a two-year-deal at Meadow Lane.
Alongside Cameron, Notts have also secured a former Torquay United player in 22-year-old Frank Vincent.
The London born midfielder started his career at Barnet before joining Bournemouth but without ever playing a game for the Cherries he was loaned out to the likes of Torquay, Scunthorpe and Walsall where he improved his lower league experience.
Vincent also signs on a two year deal and is a combative left footed midfielder that can fulfil a variety of roles in the centre of the park.
As well signing two players that know the National League well, Notts are also delighted to announce that youngsters Tiernan Brooks, a goalkeeper from their academy and striker Tyreace Palmer, a true goalscorer that has huge potential having come up the ranks through Notts County’s development structure, have signed pro contracts for the upcoming season.
Finally adding to those who’ve recently agreed new terms at the club, both Connell Rawlinson and Adam Chicksen have furthered their commitment at Meadow Lane, Rawlinson on a two-year deal.
They’ll be plenty more to come this summer as Ian Burchnall continues to build his squad potentially into promotion fodder.
*Main image @Official_NCFC Kyle Cameron is the first new player signed this summer.
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