A look at the history of the club's home, Meadow Lane…
The Move:
Notts County's early years had been predominantly hosted by Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, before trustees of the ground decided not to renew the club's lease when it expired in 1910. Forced to look elsewhere, the club moved swiftly to rent ground from the City Council on Meadow Lane and the new site was ready for the opening of the 1910/11 campaign.
This consisted of one stand, which had previously been stationed at Trent Bridge, where the Taverner's Stand is now. However, it was dismantled and erected at its new home in the Meadow Lane end.
As for the rest of the ground, earth was dumped behind the goal to form the Kop. A Main Stand, designed by architect Mr Shepherd, and a cover for the County Road side of the ground were also built.
At this time there was no actual County Road and the Tinker's Leen flowed behind the area. It is reported that a man was stationed on its banks with a net to fish the ball out when necessary. A new County Road Stand was constructed in 1925.
Bomb Damage:
The ground suffered bomb damage in 1941, during World War Two. This led to the club closing down temporarily for the 1941/42 season.
After the war crowds swelled and 10 to 12 feet in height was added to the Kop in 1949 to help accommodate the increasing numbers coming through the gate. Until 1978, the ground remained very much the same.
A Few Changes:
The old Meadow Lane Stand was demolished, making room for squash courts and offices to be built on the site. The changing rooms were moved from the Main Stand to this new building.
Further crash barriers were added in a revamp of the terracing in 1980. The pitch was also shortened by six feet in the summer of 1985, as spectators in the Sponsors' Boxes at the Meadow Lane end couldn't see the goalmouth directly below them.
As time passed there was much speculation about a stadium share with local rivals Nottingham Forest, first at Colwick and then at the Wilford power station site. Nothing was agreed.
Meadow Lane was looking increasingly worn when the bold decision was made to rebuild the entire stadium. The Taylor Report forced clubs to plan 'all-seater' arenas.
Redevelopment:
Three new stands were erected during a frantic summer of work during 1992, leaving just the Main Stand in its original state. This was later replaced in the summer of 1994 to finalise the new Meadow Lane.
The new County Road Stand was later named after the club's most successful Manager of all-time, Jimmy Sirrel. The Main Stand became the Derek Pavis Stand, named after Chairman at the time and man responsible for the 20,300 capacity ground, Derek Pavis.
Since it's completion the Derek Pavis Stand has been the hub for the main offices, changing rooms, a gymnasium and the Conference & Banqueting Centre, which continues to be a major source of revenue for the club.
Name Change:
In the summer of 2002 the club announced a sponsorship deal with local company Aaron Scargill Estate Agents, which saw the stadium renamed as The Aaron Scargill Stadium. However, Aaron Scargill went out of business before the season started and name reverted back to Meadow Lane, much to the joy of the County faithful.
Return To The Kop:
Moving home supporters back into the Kop was great source of debate for many years and in May 2008 it finally happened. At the time of the switch Notts were fighting against relegation to non-league but with the improved acoustics in the stand, fans cheered their team on to back-to-back wins, which ultimately secured the club's Football League status.
Following the successful two game trial, the decision was made to house home supporters in the Kop permanently. Ever since, it has proven to be the most popular spot for fans, who are now known as some of the most vocal in the country.
Haydn Green Family Stand:
The summer of 2008 also brought around a name extension for the Family Stand, paying tribute to Haydn Green, the man that saved the club from extinction in 2003 by injecting over £3million of his own money. Four years later, in 2007, he passed away and the Haydn Green Family Stand was seen as a fitting tribute.
Rugby:
2006 saw Rugby arrive at Meadow Lane in an initial short-term partnership with Nottingham Rugby Club. In 2010 it was announced that a deal had been struck between the two parties, which would see rugby at Meadow Lane for the following seven years.
Renovation:
Work on tidying up the stadium started after the takeover of the club by Chairman Ray Trew. Most notable was the introduction of the impressive Meadow Lane Sports Bar (formerly the Meadow Club and Wheeler's Bar), which proved to be a huge hit with supporters.
Upgrades to the offices, Conference & Banqueting Suites and executive boxes was also started, in addition to sprucing up the stands with new seats and a fresh layer of paint. Slowly but surely Meadow Lane was starting to reflect
100 Years At Meadow Lane:
On Saturday, September 3, 2010 the club will be celebrating 100 Years at Meadow Lane.
