THE first words, from Stuart Pearce, to Nottingham Forest's players and staff, made perfect sense. They filled me with enthusiasm.

The incoming manager rounded up the players and all the club staff at the City Ground and spoke about the need for togetherness; for a spirit of unity.

That attitude is not unfamiliar.

But I hope Pearce's methods of achieving such a mood are very, very different to his predecessor.

Billy Davies went about it by making everyone outside the City Ground gates an enemy; by looking to create a them against us attitude.

With hindsight, it is hard not to feel that had as much to do with his desire to settle a few personal vendettas than it did making Forest a success.

Pearce is right to want to inspire a sense of unity and togetherness.

But you already get the impression that he has a rather different style.

And getting all the staff in together; attempting to make them realise that they are part of the team that will make Forest a success is massively important.

Everyone at a football club has their own little part to play, whether it is the kit man, the tea lady or the grounds man.

During Billy's tenure, there were probably more than a few people who feared for their future, given that so many people were booted out the exit shortly after his return as manager. Good people lost their jobs.

Now it seems Pearce wants the staff at the club, from top to bottom, to realise that they are valued, that they have a part to play in the future.

He is already going about things in a positive manner. That is the right way to promote unity; to inspire people to play their part – make them realise that they are important and valued.

But then Pearce is another man who was lucky enough to have played under the master of motivation, in Brian Clough.

And you sense that a few lessons he might have learned from that are already coming into play.

Clough knew the value of team spirit and togetherness – and he knew how to best engineer it.

He knew that you did not need a massive squad. A small group of players has more chance of being tightly knit, of having better dressing room harmony.

Every player feels as though they have a chance of being involved. Like the staff, they need to know that they have a part to play.

In my day, we took that to an extreme. During our most successful era, we would use 16 or 17 players all season.

That would be impossible now. Yes, I do get incredibly wound up when I hear players moan that they are tired.

But, at the same time, the game has changed. It has changed a lot. The pace of things have increased, as have the physical demands.

Yes, tackling has been outlawed, to some degree. But players still push their bodies to their physical limits every time they head out onto the pitch.

It is madness to think that you could survive with 17 players for an entire season now.

But the general principle remains.

Look at the teams who were promoted this season, from the Championship.

Burnley used 25 players all season and Leicester only 28. Until the final few months, when they finally suffered a few injury problems, Burnley had used fewer than 20.

Forest used 36. Yes, Wigan made the play-offs having used the same number of players – and QPR used 40.

But teams who win promotion generally have consistency and stability.

League One champions Wolves used 29 and Chesterfield utilised 28 on their way to the League Two title.

Yes, there are exceptions to the rule. But it is the basic starting point you need to be a success.

Which is why it is encouraging that Pearce has not hesitated when it comes to starting with a clean slate.

There will have been a few challenging decisions when it came to the Forest retained list. But only a few – and none will have been really that difficult.

Matt Derbyshire scored five goals in five games at the end of the season to give Pearce something to think about.

But he will also have looked at the fact that the striker failed to pin down a regular place, during the course of three seasons, under six different managers, until the last few months.

Guy Moussi was previously an integral part of the side, but had found himself in a peripheral role in more recent times.

And there can be no room for sentiment. By releasing all of the players who are out of contact, Pearce has given himself a clean slate.

If you include the loan signings, as many as ten players could exit the club this summer. It sounds dramatic, but there is real logic to it.

Nor do I want to see ten players come in to replace them.

Forest are in a fortunate position where they have managed to get ten squad players off their wage bill.

So now use that money to replace them with four or five match winners; a small group of players who can all have a regular, consistent impact on the side.

At least two of those signings have to be strikers – although we have made that observation plenty of times before.

Nobody will be more aware of the need for firepower than Pearce.

At the end of the day, the games he has been watching in the final few weeks of the campaign were not a fair reflection of the squad he inherited.

With the exception, perhaps, of Jamie Mackie and David Vaughan, there is a very good chance that none of the team that started against Brighton on the final day will be in the starting XI for Pearce's first Championship game in charge.

Karl Darlow, the entire first choice back four, Andy Reid, Henri Lansbury and Jamie Paterson were all missing through injury and illness last weekend.

They will not be come the start of the new campaign.

And, by that stage, we hope that Pearce will have added the firepower that Forest were so badly missing this season.

They are not far off.

Whatever you thought of him, Davies' cause was not helped by injuries this season.

His own behaviour did not either – and he did have to go.

But any manager would have been hurt by the players Forest were missing.

Pearce will inherit a squad of players that needs looking after, fitness wise and in terms of motivation.

The foundations are there. Davies' biggest failure was his inability to get the best out of them. His attempts to engineer that 'them against us' attitude backfired. It might have helped with team spirit, initially, but he also won to many enemies in the process.

And half the staff around the club were left wondering whether their jobs were safe; not feeling as though their positions were valued.

The return of Pearce, a man who is a legend at the club, was always going to lift spirits on his own. But the fact that he has already taken such a positive attitude himself will only help enhance that.

Pearce's challenge is to promote that sense of team spirit and togetherness throughout the club.

Unlike his predecessor, I am sure he is capable of doing that without alienating half of football at the same time.

Hopefully, next season, the only way that Forest will be upsetting people will be by taking three points off them on a Saturday afternoon.

And maintaining a sense of harmony at the City Ground is the best possible starting point for that.

Earl Manvers AC (Aldercar, Snipe Lake): S. Raynor 18-2, J, Dennis 15-7, C. Owen 14-7, J. Mann 14-6, M. Bowering 11-5, B. Raynor 9-9, M.Clarke 9-8, G. Dennis 6-8, P. Storey 3-8, T Cooper 3-2, R Bowler 3-1, S. Bowler 2-0

Nottingham Anglers (Kodak Lakes): J. Johnson 8-9, P. Tomlinson 3-3, M. Beamson 3-0, R. Scales 3-0, T. Ashton 2-9, D. Marlow 1-9, G. Smith 1-6, D. Gill 1-3, S. Walters 1-1, R. Knight 0-3. 3 did not weigh.

Barnstone Angling Club, Match Spring League leg 4 (Wellow dam): A Houghton 49-0, J Francis 41-5, M D 41-3, M Brewster 30-3, J Stone 29-2, K Redwood 27-13, I Brewster 26-10, B Clements 24-8, B Marrison 23-0, J Wake 21-2, P Giles 17-8, P Layne 16-15, M Morris 11-9, T Giles 9-5

Hucknall Town Angling (Beechwood Park – Oak): K Mossop 74-12, S Knighton 29-10, R Akin 29-0, B Blewitt 27-03, B Robinson 23-12, A Lucas 23-8, K Blewitt 14-8, M Saunders 11-12, C Akin 7-5, M Stanley 6-8, C Robinson 5-11, T Beastall 2-0. 2 DNW.

Imperial Angling Club (Peatling Parva, Lake C): M Wilcox 58-8, J Lockyear 33-8, D Bee 29-8, G Walker 25-8, C Smith 19-12, J Watson 18-0, S Walker 17-8, B Sherwood 15-4, A Habgood 14-8, R Smith 12-8, G Ellingsworth 11-12

Peacock Lake Thursday Open match: S Nattress 135-8, S Oglesby 97-6, B Thackery 83-6, C Gibbs 81-10, A Gibbs 69-7, K Lovell 62-7, D Deakin 61-6, A Deakin 59-7, S Ryan 56-4, K Gill 32-7

Peacock Lake Bank Holiday Monday match: S Olglesby 133-11, S Nattress 124-11, P Pincott 112-4, R Sewell 109-5, P Taylor 109-3, P Hunt 93-9, D Starr 89-9, C Gibbs 84-0, G Cobb 74-14, G Peach 36-15, K Gill 35-9.

Peacock Lake Tuesday Pensioners match: A Gibbs 63-6, D Holland 44-15, C Cox 44-1, Adrian Cobb 35-9, Andy Cobb 32-10, D Black 26-0, A Arron 23-14, P Patrick 20-3, K Gill 12-12, B Thackery 20-2

Parkside Club match (Hemmington, Donno Lake): A Cole 61-02, M Turner 48-00, D Smith 41-04, R Marlow 30-09, K Simpson 28-09, S Holbrook 28-07, B Scotney 27-07, T Turner 26-14, T Bincliff 25-03, D Needham 19-05, D Green 17-08, M Reast 16-03, D Worley 15-04, M Barnes 13-04, D Fallows 10-02. 19 fished in the match, 4 did not weight after.

Sherwood Fishery Open Match (Holmedale Lake): J Woodland 91-4, C Brown 80-9, D Shaw 72-6, N Shipman 68-6, T Potter 56-4, A Birkin 54-15. 26 fished.

Sherwood Fishery Wednesday Open (Holmedale Lake): M Langton 127-7, S Kelk 119-8, D Crewe 111-6, A Lakey 109-3, S Sheldon 101-7, D Staley 80-1. 22 fished.

Sherwood Fishery Tuesday Open (Sherwood Lake): L Nussey 65-8, M Lysaght 54-1, S Richards 50-12, G Hiley 49-10, D Round 48-8, J Holmes 36-6. 19 fished.

Lakeside Vets Saturday match (Marina): R Holmes 69-12, Rob Taylor 39-0, Andy Parker 32-12, Bob Crocker 31-8, Chris Shore 29-4, Cliff Adcock 23-8, Ian Foulds 21-12

Midland Angling Society Match (Mill Dam): G Smith 86-4, J Danby 74-15, A White 67-11, P Nightingale 65-6, M Lacey 59-15, C Shaw 59-8, P Tomlinson 54-6, C Williams 50-3, L Nightingale 48-9, D Briggs 45-5, I Mac 38-15, N Culham 35-8, M Danby 28-15

Calverton Colliery AC (Foston Ash): J Chetwynd 33-0, K Pashley 32-8, M Lakin 31-8, M Robinson 28-14, I Parfrement 24-10, G Tuxworth 22-8, R Tuxworth 13-8, S Hallam 8-12

Colwick FFC (Blithfield): K Prowting 10-8.5, J Middleton 10-8, K Saxton 10-6, J Parnham 9-14, P Leivers 9-12, R Henderson 7-2.

Jansons Saturday Match (Malt Shovel AC, Match Pool): M Ricketts 83-7, P Week 68-5, F Smith 60-8, M Pashley 34-5, S Craynor 32-13, V Lee 28-15, C Bostock 24-4, J Lipp 21-8, A Cupit 16-14, M Jones 16-4, M Fletcher 12-8, G Hill 12-4, D Parker 8-10, G Bagguley 6-12, M Ricketts 3-6, P Bambrick 3-1.

Jansons Sunday match (Home Brewery, Match Pool): N Ballaam 95-5, S Aylward 80-12, B Cunnington 76-4, P Orton 60-5, R Bexon 46-12, T Deabill 43-15, H Smith 41-4, C Mason 41-3, J Larder 31-6, S Leadbeatter 30-2, B Maziritus 29-13, C Mason 29-1, T Wells 27-0, P Nash 22-11, R Peck 19-11.

Jansons Tuesday Open Match (Munroes and Match Pool): Munroes: D Harper 97-3, R Redwood 83-2, M Taylor 58-13, Caine Mason 44-7, G Woodcock 33-6, P Hill 33-2, P Walker 31-3, M Saunders 30-5, C Mason 24-2, J Larder 24-0, P Defusto 23-12, P Elvin 20-2. Match Pool: G Carlile 93-7, S Ward 70-5, G Wright 63-0, K Daws 62-5, A Houghton 62-3, D Stubbs 60-1, N Orton 53-4, S Aylward 52-2. H Smith 52-1, A Simpson 46-5, R Bexon 44-15, J Upton 44-15, C Reek 43-9, R Soar 35-4, M Fielding 26-2, B Sandom 18-8.

ONE of Derbyshire's oldest residents has died at the age of 105.

Olive England, of Ripley, died peacefully at Wallfield House Care Home, in Findern, Derbyshire.

Olive was born to Hyram and Ethel England in Lower Hartshay, near Ripley, in 1909, but moved with her mother, father and sister Violet to Hopton, near Wirksworth.

She left school at 13 and drove supply trucks for the Army during the war.

She worked for 19 years at Midlands Drapery, in St Peter's Street, Derby, after her family moved to Shelton Lock.

Miss England, who never married, lived independently at Chellaston Park Court until she was 103 but moved to Wallfield House last year.

Toni Norbury, manager of the home, said: "She had a fantastic memory and sense of humour. She liked to have a bit of banter and was so friendly – she will be sadly missed."

Her funeral will be held today at 3pm at Markeaton Crematorium.

SLEEPING residents were saved from a burning flat by a man who has now been honoured for his bravery.

The courage, quick-thinking and dedication of 80 people was celebrated by Nottinghamshire Police in the latest set of Chief Constable's Commendations.

Brent Ramsall, 28, pictured, saw thick black smoke billowing from a family's home in Mansfield as he was driving through his home town.

Without hesitation, he went into the building shouting "fire" to raise the alarm and wake the sleeping residents.

Mr Ramsall then battled through dense smoke and flaming door frames after knocking down two doors to rescue people sleeping in the flats above.

Despite inhaling smoke and fumes, Mr Ramsall saved the people in the burning building, who were all unhurt as a result of his courageous and selfless actions.

Mr Ramsall said: "I don't remember much about that night apart from seeing the smoke coming out of the building and thinking that there were people inside. I like to think that what I did is what anyone else would do if they had been in my position.

"It is nice to be recognised and to be a part of an event where people are thanked for what they do."

Other award recipients on the night included long-serving police officers and a teenager who tried to save someone's life while on work experience.

Chief Constable Chris Eyre, who attended the event at Nottingham's Albert Hall, said: "This was a showcase of the extraordinary people that live in our community and an example of how our officers, staff, volunteers, cadets and Specials go above and beyond the call of duty time and time again.

"These nights are a fitting tribute to their dedication, courage and professionalism, shown not only on a daily basis but also in exceptional circumstances.

"They all deserved to be recognised, praised and thanked and it was a real privilege to present them with their commendations and awards."

Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping added: "I've often heard people extol the virtues of the private sector while being dismissive of the public sector. But the public sector does make a real difference, as we heard so vividly.

"The stories we were celebrating at this event illustrated some great achievements and just how far people will go to help others. I don't think we say thank you enough.

"All those civilians, staff and officers being recognised deserved our thanks and wholehearted appreciation of the contribution they make."

PEOPLE are invited to catch a glimpse of the newly-refurbished gardens at Nottinghamshire Hospice.

The charity has had the grounds at its base in Woodborough Road, Mapperley, revamped after receiving a £105,000 grant from the Department of Health, plus donations from legacies and corporate funding.

Patients have had a say in both the design of the garden and how they will use it.

Mo Beeres, deputy chief executive of the hospice, said: "The therapeutic benefits of garden spaces for patients, their families and carers are well-known."

The hospice is planning a series of events to allow visitors to see the results of the work.

The first – a Forget-Me-Not service of remembrance and celebration – is due to take place within the grounds on May 31.

An open garden day in partnership with Mapperley Park Gardeners'Association is planned for June 22, with a summer fair on July 5.

The hospice would like businesses to help provide garden furniture, binoculars, bird boxes and tables and a webcam.

Anyone interested in helping is asked to e-mail info@nottshospice.org.

PATIENTS have used a new service more than 12,000 times to receive health care at home.

Nottingham CityCare Partnership's self-referral service allows people who are housebound to call a phone line and either be directed to the services they need or have staff sent to them.

The service received 12,037 referrals from April 2013 to April 2014, its first year of operation.

A large number of these were directed to the community nursing team, which delivers care in people's homes instead of at a GP practice or hospital.

Locality lead for adult services at CityCare Emma Self said the self-referral system was a great success and made the process of receiving the right care in a setting that suited the patient a swift, easy and worry-free process.

Emma, a district and community nurse by background, who has worked for CityCare for 15 years, said: "Self-referral is a simple idea.

"Basically, if a patient is house-bound, or has extreme difficulty in getting out and about, then they are eligible to self-refer.

"All they have to do is call our health and care point and we direct their referral to the relevant team."

Referrals to the services can be made by calling 0300 300 3333 from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, or via the website www.accesstoservices.citycare.org.uk.

MOTORISTS are being warned of more delays in Clifton due to roadworks.

A new power cable is being installed across Farnborough Road, at the junction of Orford Avenue.

This means there will be temporary four-way traffic signals until the end of Friday , with delays expected.

Nottingham City Transport has warned there is likely to be delays on Navy Line 2, 3, 48 and Local Link L53 buses.

POLICE are pleading with drivers to take care following another bank holiday pile-up.

Six people are recovering in hospital following an accident on the A158 Burgh Road in Skegness on Monday, which involved several people from Nottingham.

Emergency crews, including two air ambulances, were called to the three-car collision near Southview Leisure Park around 2.50pm.

The collision involved a black Vauxhall Astra, a black Citroen C4 and a grey Volkswagen Golf.

The occupants of the Astra were a family from Nottingham, including three children.

One of the children was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in the city with serious bleeding from a leg injury.

A 44-year-old adult and two other children from the Astra were treated at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital.

A 40-year-old Skegness woman, who was a passenger in the Citroen, was also taken to Pilgrim Hospital for treatment, together with the 51-year-old male driver of the vehicle.

Lincolnshire Police confirmed that a 30-year-old man from Nottingham, who was driving the Golf, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been bailed until June 3.

John Siddle, of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "The question we need to be asking everyone is: do we need to drive fast and overtake?"

CAMPAIGNERS flocked to Old Market Square to show their support for the 200 girls kidnapped in Nigeria.

Yesterday evening's vigil involved dozens wearing red in support of the missing Chibok school girls. They were taken by Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the Borno state of Nigeria more than three weeks ago. The group has threatened to "sell" the girls.

In Nottingham, campaigners gathered from 5.30pm, dressed in red in support of the #Bringbackourgirls movement.

Student Sian Steans, 26, of Radford, said: "It's nice that so many people care. Nottingham has a big Nigerian community and the University of Nottingham has lots of Nigerian students. Even if you haven't got a link to the country, everyone can appreciate the need for education."

Sonia Long, of black women's group Sojourner's Sisters, said: "I'm passionate about education and it's been cruelly stripped from these girls. I'm pleased with the turnout and Nottingham is showing its support for the worldwide campaign."

SENIOR judges say a Bulwell mum who hid a sawn-off shotgun used in a drive-by shooting under her bed deserves her five-year sentence.

Kirsty Brealey, 23, of Broad Eadow Road, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court in November last year.

Yesterday, three judges at London's Appeal Court rejected her claim that the sentence was too long.

Brealey was caught with cocaine in her handbag before police found the weapon she had concealed for a criminal friend after it was used to blast a house during a drug feud.

While pregnant, she had admitted possession of a firearm and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

Mr Justice Simon yesterday said Brealey was caught with around 100 grams of cocaine, split into dealer bags beside scales in her handbag, when police raided the home of Declan Madigan, in December 2011. Police searched her home and found a sawn-off shotgun, the appeal judge said.

Madigan, 27, of Lyle Close, Kimberley, was sentenced to 11 years for ordering an attacker to fire shots at a house in Aspley. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, using a person to hide a firearm and drugs charges.

Brealey waited over a year to be sentenced and her lawyers argued her punishment did not consider the needs of her baby.

Appeal judge Mr Justice Simon, said: "The difficulty is that, in his very full sentencing remarks, the judge made it plain he had considered them and taken them into account."

CELEBRATING the spirit and achievements of local people, the Nottingham Post Heroes Awards ceremony will take place tonight at the Belfry Hotel.

A number of the area's greatest achievers will be heading to the stage to present awards to those who make a positive contribution to Nottingham communities.

This year's Miss Nottingham, Rebecca Drysdale (pictured) is looking forward to being involved in the event.

The 18-year-old from Wollaton, said: "I've never done anything like this before, so I'm looking forward to presenting and meeting lots of local people.

"It's great because it's for the city that I was born in and it's always nice to praise people that deserve it. I'll definitely be dressing up and wearing my crown!"

The Nottingham Post Heroes Awards aim to recognise those in the county who have shown commitment to their local community, organisations and individuals.

Tonight's ceremony will shine a light on those most deserving and congratulating people for their selfless efforts.

Others presenting awards include Nottingham Forest legend John McGovern and former water skiing world champion turned successful businesswoman Liz Hobbs.

THE number of frontline ambulance service workers taking time off work with stress has soared.

In the past five years, figures have more than trebled, with the number of reported cases rising from 61 to 217.

Last year, 48,156 working days were lost due to medical staff being unable to report for duty.

One of the service's latest board reports highlights sickness as an "area of concern" – with rates across all staff exceeding six per cent for the past three recorded months.

Bosses at East Midlands Ambulance Service said the figures were down to increased strain in the job but also staff feeling more comfortable about reporting stress-related illnesses.

A former paramedic and manager at EMAS, who did not want to be named but worked for the service for more than 15 years, said frontline staff coming into the job now would be lucky not to be burned out by stress within ten years.

He said: "It's more stressful than working in the police or the fire service. Someone will go to a child death, which is awful, and from there they can immediately go to another. But anyone would go to pieces after that job. That's made irrelevant if the targets need to be hit."

He added: "The morale of the staff can be measured by sickness levels. It is low.

"The volume of calls has gone up, as has the pressure."

In October, the service was called to a risk summit by concerned local health chiefs and ordered to improve.

It has since hired more frontline staff and, despite missing targets for responding to the most serious calls for six months in a row, figures for March were more positive.

The service responded to category Red1 and Red2 calls – which include heart attacks and strokes, within eight minutes – 73.95 per cent and 74.92 per cent of the time, just outside the target 75 per cent.

Dave Winter, the service's assistant operations director and Nottingham representative, said: "We are working with Unison. One of the things around stress-related sickness is a cultural thing. A few years ago, staff wouldn't go sick with stress because they felt it was a slight on their ability.

"We recognise stress and post-traumatic stress disorder and we have better mechanisms in place. We have counselling services in place.

"The fact that we recognise and support it better makes it easier to report it."

He added: "The demands of the job have got greater. There is a great deal of stress on any of our staff.

"We do want to get the numbers down. In Nottingham, the sickness has come down from 11 per cent to five per cent in the last few years. We do support people better and encourage phased returns."

What is your experience of the ambulance service? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

THE family of Angela Ward issued a photo of her and paid tribute as police continued their murder investigation.

In a statement, her parents said she was "much loved" and was "taken too soon" from them.

Miss Ward, 27, was found injured at her flat in Critchley Street, Ilkeston, at 9pm on Sunday. She was taken to hospital and died a short time later.

A family statement, issued through Derbyshire Police, said: "To our much-loved daughter Angela, who will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

"Never forgotten, you were taken too soon from us.

"Love and kisses Mum, Dad, brother Paul and all the family."

Ian Meakin, 49, of Critchley Street, Ilkeston, has been charged with Miss Ward's murder.

He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until May 21 for a bail hearing at the same court.

HARRY Gurney will not be the only Nottinghamshire player in action when England take on Scotland in their opening one day international of the summer today.

Most cricket fans in the city will be aware of Gurney's hopes of picking up a first England cap, but lining up against him will be Notts 2nds wicket-keeper Matt Cross.

The 21-year-old has been affiliated to the club for more than three years after moving south to study at Loughborough University.

And he is relishing the prospect of playing in front of a sold-out crowd in Aberdeen, his home city.

Cross told the Post: "Cricket is popular up there with lots of teams.

"My teacher got me into it. I think he got bored of teaching us so took us into the gym to play cricket. I'm sure it's exciting for everyone in Aberdeen that the game will be played there.

"England will be favourites but we'll give it a good go. We are in good spirits after a good winter.

"We'll be looking to impress against a top side. We've got to play England in the World Cup next year so it would be good to really play well against them."

Cross admits his dealings with Gurney are limited as he is yet to make his Notts breakthrough.

"I bump into him quite a lot at Notts at training. He deserves to be in the England squad for sure having done so well at the start of the season," he said.

"He's the best one day bowler in the team as well."

Cross might be an international wicket-keeper, but that does not mean he is close to getting a senior debut for Notts.

In fact, he is not even the second choice behind the stumps at present with batsman Riki Wessels the regular deputy if long-standing glove-man Chris Read is unavailable.

However, Cross has started this season well with the 2nds and the Academy team. With time on his side, he hopes to eventually take over from 35-year-old Read when he calls time on his career.

"Hopefully I'll be his successor," he said. "I've got to knuckle down and look to keep improving my batting and keeping.

"I don't see Chris calling it quits any time yet. He's still a top player.

"He made 96 against Somerset this week so is still making runs. If I could go on to play for 15 years for Notts like him then I'd be a happy man. I'm just trying to improve my game now though."

Cross says it is essential he does all he can to impress Notts director of cricket Mick Newell and his coaches, starting with today's game.

"I imagine Mick will be watching now he's an England selector, so it's a good chance to impress him," Cross said.

"Every 2nds game is a chance to impress Mick and the coaching staff. I've got a couple of 50s in tough conditions this season so I'm quite pleased with how I've started."

Cross broke into the senior Scotland team last summer, making his debut against Hampshire.

He gained experience representing them in the YB40, a competition Notts won.

However, Scotland have chosen not to enter this year, meaning Cross will not get the chance to build on the 50 he scored against Essex.

"It would have been nice to play in it again. I enjoyed it last year, but I understand why they pulled out. They want as many Scotland players as possible to play regular county cricket," he said.

The list of players not born in England to represent them in Test cricket is too long to list.

Cross says he would consider the chance to follow in the footsteps of the likes of South Africans Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott and Ireland's Eoin Morgan, but for now his dream is to play for his native land in Tests.

"If I ever got the chance to play for England then maybe, but hopefully Scotland will eventually be able to play Test cricket. It would be pretty amazing to play in the first Scottish team to play a Test.

"That's a long way off, but you never know."

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 2nd XI were beaten by five wickets in a one-day encounter against their Leicestershire equivalent at Leicester Ivanhoe CC.

Leicestershire won the toss and asked Nottinghamshire to bat first, Sam Kelsall and Matt Cross opening the batting, however Cross (12) was trapped lbw by Ollie Freckingham in the sixth over (36-1).

Hassan Azad joined Kelsall, who reached his 50 in the 16th over (86-1) but Azad (12) was caught by Tom Wells off Rob Sayer's bowling in the over 20th over for 94-2.

Sam Wood was next in and he scored two runs in the 22nd over to bring the 100 up and in the 32nd he stroked a four to the offside boundary to reach the 50 partnership (147-2).

Wood reached his 50 in the 36th over (174-2) but in the 38th he was caught by Alex Wyatt off Wells for 62 (60 balls), the score 190-3.

The next over was eventful, Adam Tillcock (1) was caught by keeper Lewis Hill off Wyatt (199-4), Paul Franks pushed a single to bring the two hundred up, then Kelsall reached his century with a two (13 fours).

In the 41st over, Franks (23) was run out by Hill (232-5) and Luke Fletcher came to the crease, the 250 coming up in the 44th over.

However, in the next over Kelsall was bowled by Usman Tariq for 109 (14 fours, 128 balls) bringing Aussie trialist Stephen Seymour to the middle (251-6).

Fletcher (19) was caught on the offside boundary by Neil Pinner off Tariq in the 47th over as the visitors pushed the score (262-7) and to second ball of the last over Simon Webster (2) was caught by Aadil Ali off Freckingham (280-8).

Eight runs were added from the last four balls, the innings closing on 288-8, Seymour unbeaten on 29 and Luke Wood one not out.

The Leicestershire reply came from Alex Williams and Will Root, but Williams (1) was bowled in the second over by Luke Wood (3-1), skipper Dan Redfern replacing him.

Root (6) was bowled by Fletcher next over (19-2) and Neil Pinner came in, the home side pushing on and the 50 coming up in the eighth over.

However, in the 12th Redfern (35) was adjudged lbw to Simon Walton (71-3) and Tom Wells came to the middle.

The hundred was reached in the 19th over and Pinner reached his fifty in the 21st (121-3). The 150 came up as the home side kept pushing on and the hundred partnership was reached in the 29th (170-3).

Wells reached his 50 in the 32nd over (186-3), the 200 came up in the 34th and Pinner's hundred (11 fours, 90 balls) was reached in the 37th (216-3).

By the 40th over the score was 247-3, Pinner 122no and Wells 67no, but in the next over Wells (75) was bowled by Tillcock ending a partnership of 184 and next ball Aadil Tariq (0) was caught by Fletcher off Tillcock (255-6).

Lewis Hill came in next and together with Pinner they chased down the target, finishing the innings in the 46th over, Pinner unbeaten on 140 and Hill 16no, the score 289-5 to win by five wickets.

The Notts 2nds followed this up with a drawn three-day game with the same team that was affected by the weather.

Andre Adams got through 16 overs, as he battles for fitness, as Leicestershire made 482-7, Notts replied with 295-7 with Sam Wood top scoring with 84 but that is as far as it got.

EMILY Herod, 18, of Lindfield Road, Broxtowe, is accused of stealing nail care items from Boots, Nottingham, on September 8 last year. She pleaded not guilty at Nottingham Magistrates' Court and was bailed until her trial on July 29 at 2pm.

CLIFF Bunch, 18, of Yorke Drive, Newark, will go on trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 28, accused of causing criminal damage to a wooden fence panel in Newark on April 25. He is on bail after pleading not guilty on April 28.

JOSEPH Cupit, 58, of Devon Road, Newark, is in custody after being charged with two drug offences. He allegedly had crack cocaine with intent to supply and also supplied crack cocaine to a female in Newark on April 26. Cupit will appear at Nottingham Crown Court by video link on May 12.

RAJVINDAR Bhatti, 29, of Abbey Road, West Bridgford, pleaded guilty to drink-driving in a Vauxhall Astra in Carlton Road, Carlton, on March 14. Tests showed he had 90 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, over the limit of 80. Magistrates in Nottingham fined him £80 and banned him from driving for 12 months. He was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

MARTIN Bijou , 36, of Dorset Street, Radford, pleaded guilty to stealing a Sanos Bluetooth music station, valued at £200, from a man in Bilborough on August 8 last year. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

KIRK Bradley, 23, of Arnside Road, Bestwood, denied stealing two sets of headphones, valued at £258, from Tesco, Bulwell, on January 27. He is on bail to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 30 at 2pm.

MARK Galley, 32, of Chatham Court, Newark, will appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 25. He denied assaulting a female in Newark on April 13. He is on bail.

LUKE Riley, 22, of Kings Meadow, Rainworth, admitted drink-driving. in an uninsured Vauxhall Vectra in Arnold Road, Gedling, on March 22 when he had 109 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – over the limit of 35.

Magistrates in Nottingham ordered he do 180 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and be subject to a community order. He will pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for two years. He also admitted not stopping for police in Arnold Road, for which he was fined £150.

TAMMY Ward, 24, of Mersey Street, Bulwell, pleaded guilty to assaulting a female in Bulwell on November 8 last year. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court she was handed a community order and told to pay £50 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £20 costs.

STUART Cheung, 43, of Pavior Road, Bestwood, was found guilty of exposing himself in Burns Street, Radford, December 5 last year. He has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court for sentencing on May 29.

KEVIN Aidoo, 20, of Union Road, Nottingham, is charged with assaulting a community protection officer in Cheapside, Nottingham, on March 14. His case has been listed at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on May 16 at 2pm.

JOHN Cooper, 75, of Main Road, Watnall, has admitted drink-driving in a Toyota Yaris, in Main Road, on September 18 last year. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he had 110 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, over the limit of 80. He was fined £200 and banned from driving for 12 months. He was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

ANTHONY Hodder, 24, of Gordon Avenue, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Carter Lane, Mansfield, on April 10. At Mansfield Magistrates' Court, he was conditionally discharged for six months. He was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

BRUCE Langton, 24, of Alfreton Road, Pinxton, pleaded guilty to drink-driving in an Audi A6 in Southwell Road West, Mansfield, on April 10. He had 93 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. At Mansfield Magistrates' Court, he was fined £450 and banned from driving for two years. He was ordered to pay a £45 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

MATTHEW Wardle, 23, of Beulah Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, pleaded guilty to causing minor criminal damage. He destroyed a £50 glass door panel in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on February 1. At Mansfield Magistrates' Court, he was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

MICHELLE Greer, 52, of Purbeck Close, Mansfield Woodhouse, received a community order after admitting drink-driving in a Ford Ka in Brown Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, on April 11. She was banned from driving for two years and ordered to do 50 hours of unpaid work in 12 months and to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

WAYS to revive Arnold town centre for businesses and shoppers will be the focus of an independent economic review.

The four-week survey will look at how to increase shoppers' numbers in Front Street, improve the area around the recently-refurbished leisure centre and potentially create a new bus station.

Economists Strategic Leisure will come to Arnold this month

Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke, who took over responsibility for economic development in Wednesday's cabinet reshuffle, thinks Arnold is in danger of falling behind satellite towns in Notts.

He said: "We need to upgrade Arnold and bring it up to the standards of other places. It's getting left behind by places like West Bridgford and Mapperley Top.

"We feel now is the time. If you get the footfall, the shops will follow."

The economic review, costing between £2,500 to £3,000, will identify ways to boost trade and increase visitor numbers to the town.

The first stage will look at how the area around the leisure centre could be enhanced and radical plans to overhaul the town centre could lead to a new bus station and relocation of Arnold market.

Councillor Clarke said: "One of our aims for Arnold is to create a transport hub. Where we put it is sure to generate debate. The review will involve speaking to traders to get their views and form a clear plan to bring Arnold back to boom.

"We'll look at other places, like Beeston and Hucknall, that are going through changes at the moment and learn from them.

"We can't be afraid to make big decisions and could even demolish some places to open up more space."

Julie Henshaw, manager of long-standing Front Street butchers Chambers, said the town needed a boost.

"It's about time something was done," she said.

"The high street is dying a death and doesn't have the footfall it used to.

"It's the smaller independent shops that draw people to Arnold and we're having to compete with big supermarkets with much larger advertising budgets.

"If you look at places like West Bridgford, they have an awful lot of quality eateries and coffee shops which draw people in. I don't think they've got better shops but their footfall is higher because of the range of options."

Tom Hill, of mobility scooter shop Midlands Mobility, opposite Arnold Market, said the town needed more promotion.

"We've been here over a year and we still get people saying they didn't know where we were," he said. "There are big possibilities for Arnold and I'd like to see it promoted more, whether that's on the radio or otherwise."

Mr Hill thinks reducing rent for empty shops would benefit the entire high street.

"I've always believed that filling all the shops makes things look more vibrant. At the moment, it looks a bit lethargic because there are a lot of empty spaces but there is potential there that should be realised. If there are more shops, then shoppers will come."

Traders at Arnold Market say a lack of stalls, coupled with car parking charges after the first two hours, are hampering their trade.

Jon Gray, of JJ Pet Foods, said: "People don't have time to browse because they're rushing back to their cars. That means they don't have time to look around and find the bargains they can get on the market."

How would you like to see Arnold town centre redeveloped? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

HUCKNALL Cricket Club is hoping to attract more spectators to its matches after a £37,000 revamp of its headquarters.

The club, which was founded in 1890, has been at the New Gatehouse Ground, in Hayden Lane, for the past 21 years.

But it hasn't been updated since 1997, when the pavilion was built.

It has now undergone a complete makeover after securing a £32,000 Biffa Award, managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

Club chairman Martin Cassidy said: "Getting the money was tremendous. The Biffa Award has made a difference between being able to carry out this project and not being able to.

"It has really set us up for the next decade. I think everybody who visits our ground will be seriously impressed with the facilities we offer. We hope it can attract more players and spectators to our cricket club."

Alongside a £5,000 grant from Nottinghamshire County Council, the club has been able to extend its pavilion and create new umpire facilities, home team changing rooms and a garage for storage.

It has also improved its away team facilities, extended its lounge and bar area and refurbished the toilets.

Club captain Robin Maxwell, 29, said: "It is fantastic. It has completed the grounds and now we have the perfect facilities we need. It will also benefit the local community and, hopefully, it is going to encourage more people to come down, even if just to watch cricket. We also have a larger bar and lounge area, so there's plenty of room for spectators."

The club celebrated its new look with an official opening ceremony , which also marked the 21st anniversary of the formal opening of the ground.

A special plaque was unveiled to commemorate the dedication of Peter Mitchell, Doug Casterton, Andy Wagstaff, David Wagstaff and Cis Rhodes, who worked tirelessly to help secure the future of the club.

Gillian French, Biffa Award programme manager, said: "Now that the pavilion extension and refurbishment project at Hucknall Cricket Club is complete, the facility will be able to offer more opportunities for local sporting enthusiasts of all ages, something that is important now and for the future and we're pleased to support it."

Has your club been given a grant? Tell us at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.