Successful Ex-Pies
of the 150th Anniversary Season
Whilst Notts may not have had the greatest of seasons, some of their ex-players have certainly enjoyed a slice of success ; gaining promotion, playing in the Premiership and even travelling to Wembley.
Nathan Doyle, Stephen Darby and Ricky Ravenhill all have one thing in common (bar playing in the famous black and white), they all belong to the Bradford squad who went to Wembley twice this season. Though Ricky did not play in the League Cup Final, Darby and Doyle both started, as for the first time since Rochdale in 1962, a team from the fourth division reached the Wembley. Although beaten 5-0 on the day, their route to that point had seen them beat Premiership opposition including Arsenal on penalties and Aston Villa over two legs! Happier times at Wembley came just three months later winning the play-off final 3-0 against Northampton to secure a return to the third tier.
Rob Elliott – played four times for Notts (3 starts and 1 sub appearance) in the season 04/05 – covering and then eventually replacing Saul Deeney (due to suspension). Although he signed for Newcastle the previous season (11/12), he only played one match – the famous 4-3 victory in the Carling Cup away to Nottingham Forest. However, this season saw him make his premier league debut for Newcastle, playing 17 times, including two games in the Europa league where he kept a clean sheet both times! The season ended on a sour note as he got sent off for a second bookable offense for handling outside his area on the penultimate game of the season away to QPR.
The Notts shirt of the 18 year-old Rob Elliott whose first touch of the ball in league football was picking it out of the net after coming on to face a penalty. He came as understudy to Saul Deeney but was then unexpectedly plunged into league action when the first choice was dismissed. Notts eventually lost 5-0 but Elliott got further games for the Pies as Deeney was then suspended.
Stephen Darby, on loan with Notts from Liverpool
Martin Allen, Stuart Nelson and Charlie Allen who all started the previous season with the Magpies, joined together this season with Gillingham alongside Myles Weston. They won 50% of their games and only lost 9 as highflying Gillingham won league 2 - their first piece of silverware for nearly 50 years!
Thomas Ince was on loan to the Pies two years ago, thanks to the connection with his Dad. There was no doubt of his potential and this season has certainly been his most successful to date. Again teaming up with his father, England international Paul Ince, he has scored 18 goals this season for Blackpool and also made his debut for the England u-21 side in September, before scoring twice in the game v Sweden in February. Furthermore, this promising talent secured both ‘The Football League Young Player of the Year’ and was named in the ‘PFA Championship Team of the Year’
Martin Allen - out in the midday sun and on the way to club success again, but not with the Pies
Stuart Nelson - promoted the season after leaving Notts
