Preview: Magpies vs Silkmen

Last updated : 24 January 2005 By MAD Reporter

Nottingham had been an important enforcing town for the lawless North of England, but a major coal field found to the north of the City ensured that industry would become a major employer of people there. England's first recorded railway was laid in 1604 between Wollaton which is now in Nottingham and the River Trent to export coal. Also lace and cotton became major industries. Nottingham found itself developing in competition with two other East Midland centres of population - Leicester and Northampton.

Early development of railways in the area was dominated by the coal owners of the Erewash Valley, who were looking to improve the transport of coal to markets in the South of England and elsewhere. Schemes for railways would eventual come together in the Midland Counties Railway that would link Derby with Rugby and on to London via the West Coast Main Line, and Leeds and Manchester. Meanwhile in 1839, Nottingham found itself at the end of a branch line off the line between Derby and Rugby.

In 1844 the MCR merged with two other railways to form the dominating Midlands Railway, headed by George Hudson, who now controlled all the railways between York and Rugby. Hudson started his machinations to frustrate the direct London & York Railway, building a blocking line from Nottingham to Lincoln via Newark. Opened in 1846, the line followed the Trent as far as Newark. A new railway station on Station Street was also built with the original station on Carrington Street becoming goods offices.

The branch line status continued to frustrate the Nottingham Corporation and many schemes were examined to resolve the issue. Eventual most of these proposals would be built, but progress was slow as financial restrictions beset them. Eventually Nottingham would gain its main line status by railways extending northwards to Chesterfield and on to Manchester and Leeds.

Notts County was founded in 1862 as Nottingham. The name change to Notts County came in 1882 as the club became a founder member of the Football League and is very proud of it's status as the oldest club. After a series of grounds, the present home venue of Meadow Lane was moved into in 1910.

Back in October Notts County ended Brian Horton's Fortress Moss Rose as a first half lead from a Jon Parkin goal was overturned in the second half by two Glynn Hurst goals for the visitors. Notts County changed their manager in November, defender Ian Richardson taking taking over from Gary Mills. The club continue to flirt with the relegation zone, lying ten points and eleven places below the Silkmen, but results have improved recently.

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