Vanarama's National League fan preview - Notts County

League sponsors Vanarama have been getting the fans’ perspective ahead of the new season - which kicks off this Saturday.

The new season is nearly upon us - what have the fans got to look forward to?
Notts fans are buzzing for the new season now the club has new owners and we can really look forward. It’s going to be a really tough season but we’re visiting lots of new grounds and, hopefully, pushing for promotion.

It’s not been an easy summer, that goes without saying. Has that brought the fans even closer together?
The fans have really come together and have held collections for the staff that haven’t been paid with the club’s lifeline scheme also donating money to the cause. The way the players have conducted themselves through the difficult times has been first-class and all the fans are right behind the team now after the disappointment of last season’s relegation.

Neal Ardley has taken teams to promotion before. Can he do it again?
He can get us promoted and if he gets the players he wants, recruitment will certainly be interesting with Football Radar’s input.

What’s been the best bit of business done over the past few months?
We have not been able to sign any players at the time of writing but have had a few trialist play. Nathan Tyson has scored a few goals in the friendly matches and would be a good signing at this level with his experience.

Who will be your one to watch come August 3?
I think Enzio Boldewijn will be the one to watch, he joined Notts for good money last season and struggled for confidence. But he has looked sharp in pre-season, scoring a couple of goals I think he will have a real determination to have a good season.

Who do you think are the other sides to watch out for and could be in the promotion mix?
I think Chesterfield could be the team to watch after struggling last season until John Sheridan came in. He turned things around and I expect them to be challenging the promotion places this season

But who will be the team people don’t expect to shine?
I think Stockport could be the surprise package. They won promotion last season so they will have momentum and they will be one of the better supported clubs in the division. I can see them challenging.

What ground are you most looking forward to walking in to?
I always look forward to visiting Torquay and making a weekend of it. But I’m not sure it’s quite so appealing going there in February!

But what game would you like to win more than any other this season?
The game Notts fans will want to win the most will be Chesterfield. With it being a local derby and with John Sheridan being a ex-Notts manager as well that will add a bit of spice to the game!

What opposition player would you most like to see in your side - and what makes him so good?
I haven’t seen a lot of the other teams in the National League but having seen Paul McCallum at the end of last season he really impressed me and scored a lot of goals. I was a bit surprised when he moved to Solihull as I thought someone in the EFL might have made a move for him.

Finally, the key question - can you predict your team will finish next season?
We have had a good pre-season despite the off-field situation and the players have been first class. If the manager can build a squad in the next couple of weeks, we can challenge towards the top end of the league.

Vanarama have recently launched the National League Club Reward scheme to help fans back their club’s budget. Every time a fan takes out a brand new van lease with Vanarama or a brand new car lease with Motorama their club will earn £100 and you will receive £30 cashback.

For the latest van leasing deals head to Vanarama.
For the latest car leasing deals head to Motorama.