The well documented return of Sol Campbell has caused some controversy and perhaps some surprise. Campbell, who has no doubts over his managerial ability has been in League Two before. However, on that occasion it didn’t go so well.
In 2009, Campbell joined Notts County under director of football, Sven Goran Eriksson, and signed a five-year deal. Of which he completed a matter of weeks of, playing one game. A 2-1 defeat at Morecambe before walking out on the club.
You’re probably wondering, “where are the starting eleven from that game?”. Well, here you go:
Kasper Schmeichel: I would wager you have heard of this man. Schmiechel joined Notts County in a lucrative deal from Manchester City. He, unlike Campbell, saw out the season as Notts County finished up as champions. He then joined Championship side, Leeds United, before joining Leicester City, where he remains to this day. He even won the Premier League in the 2015/16 season.
Brendan Moloney: The Irish right-back was on a six-month loan deal from city rivals, Nottingham Forest. Moloney played 18 times in League Two before returning to the City Ground. Now, he is a free-agent after leaving Northampton Town at the end of last season.
John Thompson: Another Irishman who started the game. Thompson was another who featured for both Nottingham sides. Three years, including a loan spell at the Meadow Lane, yielded 99 league appearances. The one-time Ireland international left the club in 2011 to join Mansfield, where he stayed until his retirement in 2013.
Jamie Clapham: Clapham had a wealth of experience by the time he joined Notts County in 2008. The season in question peoved to be his last before returning to his home-town to turn out for Lincoln City and latterly Kettering Town. Clapham made 30 appearances that season and the 42 year-old was most recently Leeds United’s assistant under Paul Heckingbottom.
Matt Ritchie: Another one who has forged a very decent career for himself. Whilst on the books on Portsmouth, County wanted to bring him in on a permanent basis, however they could only muster a loan deal, which expired on New Years Eve of 2009. Since, he has turned out for Swindon Town, Bournemouth, and now, Newcastle United and has two-and-a-half season’s Premier League experience, oh, and he’s an international for Scotland.
Neal Bishop: Bishop is a man who has shown no signs of slowing down. He enjoyed his best years of his career at Meadow Lane, playing 43 games in the 2009/10 season, and staying for three more seasons. Now 37, he still figures in League Two at Mansfield Town. He counts Blackpool and Scunthorpe United as his clubs since leaving Notts. He even made two appearances for England’s C team.
Ben Davies: No, not the Tottenham one, the one who has masses of experience in the lower leagues. Notts County Player of the Year in 2009/10. Supporters Player of the Year in the same season, as well as making the team of the year, alongside Schmeichel and Lee Hughes. He was also Notts County’s scorer in the match. Since, he has featured for Derby County, Sheffield United, Portsmouth and Grimsby Town, he now plays for Boston United in the Vanarama North.
Johnnie Jackson: Jackson is perhaps a man you would associate with Charlton Athletic, or even perhaps Colchester United. However, between those two spells was a spell at Notts County, where he lasted just a year. However, Jackson made 24 league appearances to help the Magpies gain promotion before joining Charlton, where he remained until retiring in 2018. He is now their assistant manager.
Lee Hughes: A terrific season for Hughes who bagged 30 goals in the league. It was by far his most prolific season at the club, before he left in 2013. Fun fact, he scored against Juventus at the opening of their new ground in 2011. Upon leaving the club, he spent a season at Port Vale before dropping down to non-league. Now 42, he’s still going strong at Halesowen Town.
Karl Hawley: Perhaps not fondly remembered by the County faithful. Not as prolific as Hughes, he scored five goals in three years at the club. He dropped in to non-league after leaving the club, save a season for Scunthorpe. At 36 years old, he turns out for Sutton Coldfield.
