Town will be looking to continue their unbeaten reign to the League Two season, following last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Morecambe, as they look to make it nine games without defeat against Grimsby Town today.
Notts County will pose a stern test for Town tonight, despite their most recent result seeing the Magpies falling to a 5-4 defeat to Colchester last Saturday, the hosts currently have won six, drawn two and lost twice in the opening 10 league games.
Despite this result, County currently sit at the summit of the League Two table, with Swindon fully aware that (with a game in hand), victory today will see them overtake County in the table.
A lowdown on the visitors
Notts County Football Club boasts a rich and storied history that spans more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Founded in 1862, Notts County is situated in Nottingham, England, and holds the distinction of being the first professional football club. The Magpies, as they are affectionately known, has experienced its fair share of highs and lows throughout its long history.
The club has a strong tradition of competing in the Football League, and it was a founding member of the Football League in 1888. Notably, Notts County clinched the league title in the 1893-94 season, showcasing its prowess on the pitch during a period when the football landscape was still taking shape.
Nowadays, Notts County find themselves in the fourth tier of English football’s pyramid for the first time since their first-ever relegation to non-league in 2019.
Last campaign, the Magpies went toe-to-toe with Wrexham, ultimately losing out on automatic promotion by four points, though their celebrations wouldn’t be delayed for much longer. A day out at Wembley ended in promotion after an eventful encounter against Chesterfield. The game ended 2-2 after extra time before former Town boss Luke Williams’ side triumphed 4-3 on penalties.
In pre-season, County won four friendlies, against Nuneaton Borough, AFC Telford United, Boston United and Alfreton Town, drew against Shrewsbury Town and lost against Stoke City and Nottingham Forest.
Moving into competitive fixtures, and a shock 5-1 defeat against Sutton kicked County into gear, with the following fixtures seeing them pick up 20 points in their next nine games as they currently occupy top spot in the League Two table.
Last time out
Town’s recent record against the Magpies is impressive. Five wins in their last six encounters going into this evening’s game means Swindon will take even more confidence with a lot of success in the last almost 10 years.
However, the overall record is fairly even, with Town winning 30, losing 25 and drawing 12 times in 67 encounters.
Head-to-head
14/15: Notts County 0-3 Swindon Town
14/15: Swindon Town 3-0 Notts County
17/18: Notts County 1-0 Swindon Town
17/18: Swindon Town 1-0 Notts County
18/19: Notts County 1-2 Swindon Town
18/19: Swindon Town 3-1 Notts County
The manager: Luke Williams
Luke Williams will be a coach that Swindon Town fans recognise when in 2013, Williams was appointed assistant manager to former boss Mark Cooper and helped the team reach the 2015 play-offs before losing to Preston North End in the final.
Following Cooper's departure from Swindon early the following season, Williams worked as assistant until December 2015 when he was appointed caretaker manager following Martin Ling's resignation.
In January 2016, Williams was appointed permanent manager of Swindon Town until the end of the 2015–16 season and was later appointed as head coach on a permanent basis in March 2016. However, Williams would later move on from Town in May 2017 by mutual agreement.
After his departure from Town, coaching roles with Bristol City U23s and then-League One side MK Dons followed under former Head Coach Russell Martin, before he joined Martin to his next side Swansea City as assistant Head Coach at the start of 2021-22 season.
Williams later moved from the Swans in Feb 2022, before moving into his current role at First-Team Manager at Notts County at the start of the 2022-23 season where he would achieve promotion in his first season, with a play-off final victory over Chesterfield ensuring Notts returned to the fourth tier after four seasons in the fifth tier.
One to watch: David McGoldrick
Summer arrival David McGoldrick returned to Notts County having previously represented the club in 2003/04 and 2005/06. Since then, the 35-year-old has made over 550 appearances, 63 of those in the Premier League to accompany 10 goals at the top tier of English football. A proven goal scorer at any level he’s played, the former Derby County man has netted over 150 times so far in his career and has started the 2023-24 season in rich form with four goals so far this season.
