MAGPIES TO PAY BELATED TRIBUTE TO FORMER BOSS JIMMY SIRREL
NOTTS County’s home game against Torquay United on Saturday will be dedicated to former Magpies manager Jimmy Sirrel.
Several former players will be at Meadow Lane to pay their respects to Sirrel as the Magpies play their second game of the National League campaign.
The 50th anniversary of Sirrel’s first Notts promotion passed last year, and with the return of supporters to their ground, the club will be celebrating his incredible achievements and the unforgettable mark he left at the Lane.
Sirrel managed Notts three times firstly from 1969 to 1975, then from 1977 to 1982 and finally from 1985 to 1987 before announcing his retirement as manager at the age of 65.
In his second spell as boss, Sirrel found the Magpies struggling to avoid relegation back into Division Three. He was able to save them from the drop, eventually finishing in a respectable 15th place.
The following season was marked by a record sixth place finish but the season after that, the Magpies were back down to 17th.
It was during the 1980-81 campaign that Sirrel achieved his greatest success at the club after he bought in a new generation of players which included the return of Don Masson.
Notts secured a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to confirm promotion to the old First Division football for the first time since 1926.
Sirrel oversaw a transformation of Notts which saw them go from Division Four strugglers to a Division Two side in little under four years.
Players including Barry Watling, Roy Brown, Bob Worthington, David Needham, Brian Stubbs, Don Masson, Steve Carter and all-time leading goalscorer Les Bradd will all be in attendance on Saturday for the Magpies’ first home National League game of the campaign.
Those players who contributed to the most successful seasons in the club’s history will pay a pre-match visit to the Broken Wheelbarrow before guests in the 1862 and Directors suites are treated to a special interview with the group.
The players will also address the home crowd via the PA system at half-time.
For more information on match day hospitality, visit the Notts’ website.