Football League World looks at what the ideal start to Notts County’s summer transfer window may look like.
Notts County’s preparations for the 2024/25 League Two season will be well underway, as they aim to improve on their 14th-place performance in their first season back in the Football League.
An revamp at Meadow Lane was expected over the summer, but it now appears even more likely following the club’s release of its retained list last month, with six players who were key to their National League victory not granted new contracts at the East Midlands club.
Furthermore, Aidan Stone, Will Randall, and Luther Munakandafa were told that they might pursue chances away from the Magpies this summer, freeing up space for some upgrades as Stuart Maynard prepares for his first season in command of Notts County.
While the gossip mill has begun to spin, with numerous players connected with a move to the club, nothing has materialised as Richard Montague, along with Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz, carefully plot their recruitment strategy for an important summer season.
Football League World looks at one player joining the club and one departing Meadow Lane that may be the perfect start to their summer reorganization.
In: Ben Tozer
Ben Tozer, who joined Wrexham from Cheltenham Town in 2021, was one of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s first marquee acquisitions after taking over the Welsh club.
The 34-year-old was instrumental in Phil Parkinson’s side’s promotion campaign from the National League, during which they were constantly battling Notts County, with the defender helping them retain 16 clean sheets en route to 111 points.
After starting every game of the 2022/23 season, the Red Dragons made another investment the following summer, bringing in players like Will Boyle to bolster their defense options, resulting in a dip in appearances.
Despite making 29 league appearances for Wrexham this season, the defender was forced to watch his side from the bench for their final ten games of the season as they confirmed back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.
Tozer was one of eight players, including Aaron Hayden and Luke Young, who were not offered a new contract at the Stok Cae Ras, and with his League Two experience, having made almost 400 matches in the division, he should be considered by Notts County.
Following the departures of Aden Baldwin, Connell Rawlinson, Richard Brindley, and Tobi Adebayo, it is evident that a defensive restructure is in place, and adding the 34-year-old defender would not only offer a wealth of experience, but also a talented player.The defender is well-known for his long throws, but he is capable of much more on the field. A player who wears his heart on his sleeve and with a proven track record of two fourth-tier promotions on his football CV, he would be a welcome addition for Notts fans and Maynard if he chooses Meadow Lane as his next destination this summer.
Out: Will Randall
Midfielder Will Randall’s time with Notts County did not go as planned. Having been a thorn in the Magpies’ side during his National League days with Sutton United, his appearance in the East Midlands piqued many fans’ interest.
The 27-year-old, who can play on either wing, suffered with injuries and failed to make a mark on the first team under Luke Williams and Maynard, despite the exceptional form of Aaron Nemane and Jodi Jones in front of him.
Randall played 339 minutes of football, the most of which came from the bench, and made only one league start, a win over Bradford City in November.
While he never had the opportunity to show off his real talents in Notts County’s black and white, the Magpies’ administration wants to drastically increase the quality of the team at Meadow Lane, and Randall, sadly, fell short of expectations this season.
It is unclear where the 27-year-old will next play, but he has demonstrated throughout his time with Sutton that he is more than a useful asset at this level, and he may recapture the form that earned him his transfer to Notts County last season.
