Introduction to Notts County Legendary Players
The Legacy of Notts County
As the oldest professional football club in the world, founded in 1862, Notts County’s legacy is unique within English football. From their early years as Football League founders in 1888 to modern battles in non-league and back again, the Magpies have experienced every corner of the footballing landscape.
Their story features FA Cup triumph, periods in the top flight, and a long line of influential figures—both famous and unsung—who helped shape the club’s identity across generations. This list celebrates those who made lasting, tangible contributions to that story, regardless of era or division.
Criteria for Ranking the Best Players
Rather than rely solely on goals or appearances, this list evaluates players based on their importance to key moments in the club’s history—promotion campaigns, relegation battles, cup exploits, and record-setting achievements.
We also consider fan reverence, leadership qualities, longevity, and off-pitch impact, particularly relevant in a club with such deep community roots. Special credit is given to players who influenced change, be it through iconic performances, transformative consistency, or inspiring resilience through decline and revival.
Top 10 Greatest Players in Notts County History
From pre-war legends to modern-day icons, these ten players left a lasting mark on the club, carrying the black and white shirt with distinction through highs, lows, and everything in between.
10. Lee Hughes (2009–2012)
Lee Hughes made an immediate impact at Notts County after joining in 2009, scoring 30 league goals in his debut season to help the club win the League Two title. Signed during the short-lived Sven-Göran Eriksson era, Hughes quickly became the focal point of the Magpies’ attack, combining sharp movement with lethal finishing. Across three seasons, he netted 59 goals in 128 league appearances, finishing as the club’s top scorer in back-to-back campaigns.
His goalscoring exploits were central to County’s return to League One and their efforts to stabilise in the third tier. Despite the controversies that followed him from earlier in his career, Hughes delivered consistently on the pitch at Meadow Lane, earning the respect of many supporters. His knack for big moments—particularly in promotion-chasing fixtures—cements his place among the club’s most effective strikers of the modern era.
9. Jim O’Brien (2019–2024)
Jim O’Brien became a key figure for Notts County during a critical period in the club’s modern history. Joining in January 2019 after leaving Bradford City, the experienced midfielder added stability and leadership to a side fighting relegation from the Football League. Although County dropped into the National League that season, O’Brien remained with the club and helped anchor a prolonged resurgence.
Renowned for his work ethic, technical ability, and professionalism, he made 157 league appearances and scored 16 goals across five years. He was instrumental in County’s 2022–23 promotion via the play-offs and continued to feature regularly into the 2023–24 League Two campaign. In 2021 and 2023, he even registered career hat-tricks—remarkable feats for a central midfielder. Briefly stepping in as interim manager in 2024, O’Brien departed at the end of that season having played a major role in the club’s rebirth. His influence extended well beyond the pitch at Meadow Lane.
8. Tony Hateley (1958–1963)
Tony Hateley emerged as one of Notts County’s most prolific strikers in the post-war era. Signed as a teenager, he made an immediate impact with his physical presence and aerial dominance. Between 1958 and 1963, he scored an extraordinary 77 goals in just 131 league appearances, averaging more than a goal every two games.
His performances at Meadow Lane caught the attention of bigger clubs, and he was sold to Aston Villa in 1963 for £22,500—a record fee received by County at the time. Hateley went on to enjoy a top-flight career with Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Coventry City, becoming one of the most expensive English players of the 1960s. While his stay at County came early in his journey, he remains one of the most lethal forwards in the club’s history. His blend of power, timing, and finishing made him a nightmare for defenders and a true Meadow Lane favourite.
7. Pedro Richards (1974–1986)
Pedro Richards was a model of consistency and commitment during a twelve-year spell with Notts County in the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Edmonton but raised in Nottingham, he came through the ranks at County and made his debut in 1974. A versatile and composed defender, Richards amassed 399 league appearances and over 450 in all competitions, forming the backbone of the defence across multiple divisions. He played a crucial role during the club’s rise from the Fourth Division to the First Division under Jimmy Sirrel and Howard Wilkinson.
Never flashy but always dependable, Richards was known for his calm demeanour, positional sense, and clean tackling. He rarely grabbed headlines but earned universal respect among fans and teammates alike. His longevity and loyalty ensure his place among the club’s finest. After leaving County in 1986, his career continued in non-league football, but his legacy remained rooted at Meadow Lane.
6. Mark Stallard (1999–2004 & loan in 2005)
Mark Stallard remains one of Notts County’s most reliable and prolific forwards of the modern era. Signed in March 1999 for £10,000 from Wycombe Wanderers, Stallard spent nearly five years with the club, registering an impressive 66 goals in 185 league appearances. His finest campaign came in 2002–03 when he scored 25 goals and was named both the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year, helping the side avoid relegation from the Second Division.
After spells with Barnsley and Chesterfield, Stallard returned to Meadow Lane briefly on loan in 2005, scoring a further three goals. Known for his clever movement, unerring finishing, and ability to lead the line, Stallard played during a turbulent era for the Magpies, but his consistency provided vital moments of stability. His contribution, particularly at a time when goals were at a premium, secures his place as one of the most effective modern forwards to wear the black and white.
5. Albert Iremonger (1905–1926)
Albert Iremonger is one of Notts County’s most iconic pre-war figures and one of English football’s most unique characters. A towering goalkeeper, he made 564 league appearances for the club between 1905 and 1926—a record that stood for decades. Known for his remarkable height (over 6ft 5in), Iremonger was an imposing presence and became a Meadow Lane institution over two decades of loyal service. He was part of the side that won the Second Division in 1913–14, earning promotion to the top flight, and was widely considered unlucky never to have received a full England cap.
Beyond football, he was a noted cricketer with Nottinghamshire, showcasing his all-round sporting talent. His reputation for eccentricity—combined with elite reflexes and leadership from the back—made him a legendary figure in the club’s history. Iremonger Road, adjacent to Meadow Lane, stands as a tribute to his enduring impact on Notts County and the local community.
4. Phil Turner (1989–1996)
Phil Turner was a central figure in Notts County’s resurgence during the early 1990s. Signed from Lincoln City in 1989, Turner went on to make over 250 league appearances for the Magpies, operating as a composed and influential midfielder. His arrival coincided with Neil Warnock’s successful tenure, and Turner played a pivotal role in the club’s back-to-back promotions from the Third Division to the top flight.
He was an ever-present during the 1990–91 Second Division campaign, culminating in play-off final victory and a return to the First Division. Even as County dropped out of the top tier, Turner remained a steadying influence on and off the pitch. His leadership, work rate, and versatility made him a favourite among fans. He eventually departed in 1996, having helped the club navigate one of its most successful modern periods. His loyalty and consistency across seven seasons left a lasting impression at Meadow Lane.
3. Tommy Lawton (1947–1951)
Tommy Lawton’s transfer to Notts County in 1947 was one of the most sensational in English football history. Signed from Chelsea for £20,000, the prolific England centre forward dropped from the First Division to the Third Division South—an almost unheard-of move—citing a desire to be closer to family and to work under Arthur Stollery. Lawton’s impact was immediate and enormous. He scored 103 league goals in just 166 appearances and was instrumental in helping County win the Third Division South title in 1949–50.
A powerful and intelligent striker with a formidable aerial presence, he became the focal point of the side and formed a devastating partnership with Jackie Sewell. Lawton’s pedigree as an international forward brought unprecedented attention to Meadow Lane, boosting attendances and raising the club’s profile. Even in a short spell, his influence—on and off the field—was seismic, and his legacy endures as one of County’s most iconic signings.
2. Jackie Sewell (1946–1951)
Jackie Sewell remains one of the most naturally gifted forwards ever to wear the black and white of Notts County. Joining the club in 1946, he quickly became an attacking talisman during the post-war years, netting 97 goals in 178 league appearances. A stylish inside forward with impeccable control and finishing ability, Sewell was a key figure in County’s promotion to the Second Division in the 1949–50 season, linking up with Tommy Lawton in one of the most formidable forward pairings in the Football League.
His performances earned him international recognition, and in 1951 he was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for a British record transfer fee of £34,500. Sewell went on to captain England and even later represented Zambia, highlighting his exceptional calibre. His time at Meadow Lane was relatively brief, but the impact he had—both on the pitch and financially—secured his place among the club’s all-time greats.
1. Don Masson (1968–1974, 1978–1982)
Don Masson remains one of the most iconic figures in Notts County’s history, revered for his leadership, technical class, and match-winning ability from midfield. Originally signed from Middlesbrough in 1968, he was instrumental in lifting the club from the Fourth Division to the Second Division across two spells, scoring a remarkable 92 goals in 403 appearances for the Magpies.
His first stint saw him net 81 goals in six seasons, a stunning return for a midfielder, before earning a £100,000 move to Queens Park Rangers where he nearly won the First Division title in 1975–76. Masson returned to Meadow Lane in 1978, helping the club gain promotion to the Second Division in 1981. Voted Notts County’s greatest ever player by supporters, his impact extended internationally too, winning 17 caps for Scotland and playing at the 1978 World Cup. The Don Masson Lounge at Meadow Lane honours his enduring legacy.
Comparison of Notts County Legends
Playing Styles and Contributions
Notts County’s greatest players span different generations, with varying tactical demands and competitive landscapes. For instance, Don Masson, a creative midfielder from the 1960s through to the early 1980s, thrived in a possession-based role, dictating tempo and scoring regularly from midfield. In contrast, Lee Hughes, playing during the early 2010s, operated in a more physical League Two environment where pace, power, and clinical finishing were essential.
Masson’s technical finesse and playmaking abilities reflected the slower, more deliberate football of his era, while Hughes was a ruthless penalty box predator in a faster, more direct modern game. Additionally, Jackie Sewell played in the old First Division and represented England, whereas players like Mark Stallard battled through the third and fourth tiers, showing that greatness can be measured both in top-flight prestige and lower-league heroism.
Impact on Club Success
The players highlighted had a direct hand in some of Notts County’s most pivotal moments. Phil Turner was central to the side that achieved back-to-back promotions under Neil Warnock, reaching the First Division in 1991. Tony Hateley scored 77 goals in just 131 appearances in the early 1960s, providing a much-needed cutting edge.
Don Masson’s contributions were even more profound—he captained the side through a major rise in divisions and later returned to aid another promotion push. Even players from more recent eras, such as Jim O’Brien, helped stabilise the club during their National League tenure and earned cult status with consistent performances across multiple seasons. Each legend’s impact was defined not just by personal excellence but by elevating the team at key stages in its history.
Records and Achievements
Individual Honours and Awards
Recognition has followed many of Notts County’s standout figures, some on a national stage, others more locally but no less meaningfully. Foremost among them is Don Masson, who was named the club’s greatest ever player by supporters, an accolade that reflects not only his technical brilliance but also his leadership and longevity across two successful spells at Meadow Lane. His Scotland caps and appearance at the 1978 World Cup elevated his profile even further, setting him apart from many peers in the club’s history.
Mark Stallard was another who earned the admiration of both fans and teammates alike. His 25-goal haul during the 2002–03 campaign saw him named both Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year, a rare double that speaks to his influence in what was otherwise a difficult season for the club. Meanwhile, Jackie Sewell’s record-breaking £34,500 transfer to Sheffield Wednesday in 1951 remains one of the most famous deals in Notts County history, a reflection of his prodigious talent and his status as a full England international while at the club.
While others may not have been lavished with awards in the same way, figures like Albert Iremonger—renowned for his commanding presence in goal over a period of nearly 20 years—earned a form of enduring recognition through sheer consistency and cult hero status. Not every honour is formal; sometimes it’s the memory of loyalty, impact, and identity that defines a club legend.
Club Milestones and Championships
Many of the players featured in this list played pivotal roles during some of the most defining moments in Notts County’s long history. Perhaps the most significant is Phil Turner, whose commanding displays in midfield helped power the Magpies to back-to-back promotions under Neil Warnock, culminating in a place in the First Division in 1991. That period remains one of the high-water marks in the club’s modern history, and Turner was central to making it possible.
Earlier milestones belonged to Don Masson, who captained the club through a dramatic rise from the Fourth Division in the early 1970s. His second spell, starting in 1978, saw him return as a veteran influence during another promotion-winning campaign, cementing his reputation as a player who shaped eras.
In contrast, Mark Stallard’s contributions came in a time of relative instability, but his goals helped stave off the threat of relegation and offered a rare bright spot in a challenging period. Similarly, Pedro Richards was rarely in the limelight but served the club with such unwavering loyalty—over 450 appearances across 13 years—that his presence provided continuity and calm through several managerial regimes and league restructures.
From top-tier battles to fourth-tier promotions, from record-breaking transfers to long-serving stalwarts, these legends didn’t just rack up appearances—they anchored the club’s identity during its most memorable chapters. Their milestones weren’t always adorned with silverware, but they were steeped in significance to those who walked through the Meadow Lane gates.
