Along with new manager John Sheridan, former Welsh goalkeeper Mark Crossley will also be joining the Magpies as assistant manager.
Speaking to Magpie Player HD, Sheridan explained why he was so keen to bring the Chesterfield coach in to Meadow Lane.
“I’ve known Mark a long time. I met Mark in the late 80’s/90’s, and when I went to Nottingham Forest for a short time, Mark was a young player and we’ve stayed friends since then.”
“I’m bringing someone in who probably knows the club better than me. He’s lived in Nottingham and knows the attachment and the area.”
Despite knowing each other for more than 25 years, and working together before, it is Crossley’s impressive knowledge of the league which drew Sheridan into bringing him to Notts.
“He’s a friend, but I’ve brought him in because he knows what’s he talking about when he talks football. He’s very experienced, he’s been around the top levels, the lower levels and he’s worked with me before when we won the league at Chesterfield in this division.”
“He knows the players at this level and what’s required and he’s good with the players as well.”
He added, “He’s a bit different to me, he’ll be closer to the players and it’s important you have something a little different, and hopefully I’ll keep my distance from the players, he’ll be good to have next to me.”
Sheridan and Crossley will be working alongside current backroom coaching staff Alan Smith, Mike Edwards and Kevin Pilkington.
“Obviously Alan Smith will be with me, who I think is learning the game, coming out from playing the game. An excellent, top player. Alan will be working with me, and Mike Edwards, so hopefully we can all knit in together.”
“It’s about a team, not just the manager, you have people around you who are doing the job well and making sure we all knit together. We are a team and we get things going again.”
Three facts you may not have known about Mark Crossley:
- He is the only goalkeeper to have ever saved a penalty from Matt Le Tissier in a competitive match
- He is nicknamed ‘Norm’ due to his likeness to former Manchester United striker Norman Whiteside.
- He has played for both England and Wales, although only at Under 21 level for England.