Wendy:  It was very strange.  The two clubs were both so far ahead.  We'd be listening for their results, and it was so frustrating as they seemed to score last minute goals again and again

I thought it made it more exciting.  Last year's season when Chesterfield just romped ahead was boring

And we went to Wembley!

Graham:  Lincoln did the same to us in 2017.  Kept winning by last minute goals while we were blowing teams away. Granted we had to wait another year for our victorious day at Wembley

As you say it all worked out well in the end. Having done it with Tranmere a couple of times, winning promotion at Wembley must of been a special occasion?

Wendy:  I went with my family so it was special.  l missed the Playoff Final against Tranmere (1990)

l am glad l wasn't allowed (lockdown) to go to the Harrogate match in 2021.  l don't think our team turned up either.  But the match in 2023, itself, wasn't enjoyable.  We were really up against it because Chesterfield are a strong side

The Boreham Wood game was more fun (at least from the second half onwards!).  My son had bought early bird tickets and saved us a shed load of money in the end, but we thought it was a poor decision at half time

Graham:  Yeah it was a very tense game vs Chesterfield. I always thought you had game changers in Langstaffe and Rodrigues so knew you'd do it.

Going into penalties, though, it was a tough watch even as a neutral

Going onto last season.  How did you think it went?  You finished 14th.  But, would you have taken mid table safety at the beginning of the season?

Wendy:  Yes l would have taken mid table mediocrity.  League 2 was stronger than l thought it'd be, with no really weak sides

We missed Ruben with his magic touch and we will miss Langstaff this season.  He scored 72 goals for us, although a little bird told me he's injured now

But we were too loyal to our National League side, some of whom were found lacking. And our defence was weak

Macaulay Langstaff with the 2023 National League Play Off Final trophy.  He scored a record 42 league goals in 45 appearances in the 2022/2023 season

Graham:  Ruben was some player. It was a pity he didnt give you another year

We went straight up to League 1 in 2019 after coming up from National League the season before which, looking back on it now, we probably weren't ready for

Norwood's 32 goals got us up that 2019 season, but he was always going to leave that summer, and 5yrs on, we still haven't replaced him (6 months of James Vaughan aside)

Yeah the loss of Longstaff will obviously be huge for you (72 goals in 97 games says it all), but keeping the assist king Jodi Jones was surely massive this summer?  At Meadow Lane and Prenton Park he was your best player by a mile

Wendy:  The transfer window isn't shut yet, so don't jinx anything!  Although l haven't heard any rumours about Jodi.

Langstaff will be missed for his character, also, as he was a lovely chap

My brother supports Forest and whenever he comes with me to see County (I don't go to see them) he raves about Jodi.  But we have a striker who signed after we played you (Alassana Jatta) and he can be a game changer too

Graham:  You don't fancy going over the Trent and popping to the City Ground? 😂

Wendy:  The toilets don't work. We call it, well, l expect you can guess

Graham: Haha. I got to see you twice last season.  At Meadow Lane and at Prenton Park.  Two totally contrasting games

At Meadow Lane you schooled us, and we couldn't lay a glove on you.  If anything a 2-1 defeat flattered us massively

Do you think you will continue with the passing game with you controlling midfield?

Wendy:  I believe so.  Stuart Maynard is the coach, not the manager, and it's the owners (the Reedtz brothers) who like to see that style of play

They saved us (Reedtz brothers).  We were so close to liquidation, and they're all about sustainability.  So we're properly run now

The Nest (our fanzone) was completed at the end of the season in time for the Euros, and has made a small fortune since.  We took over a building which was already standing, but my Tranmere friends say the Palioses(?) have been faffing around for years

Graham:  Our issue is Palios doesn't have the money to take us to the next level. Thats not a swipe at him, its the truth sadly

He has done well for us financially.  He keeps the club running when we have two power house clubs in Liverpool and Everton on our doorstep to compete with for support

He isn't totally perfect, but no owner is to be fair.  It does seem that Nigel (Adkins) has been given the players he wants this sunmer which is great.  We have signed some good players this summer, so who knows what will happen

Following the departure of Luke Williams, your form dipped, which is understandable.  Do you think Maybard will be given time to build something like Williams was given?

Sadly success brings impatience from fans

Wendy:  Yes l do think Stuart will be given the time.  Lots of owners would have sacked him last year because our form was terrible

This year it's his team, his staff, his brand new defence & I'm feeling optimistic.  It's a bit of a small squad and I'd like another striker now Macca has gone.  If David McGoldrick fires on all cylinders watch out League 2!

Graham:  As you said earlier, you definitely needed pace at the back.  That's how we beat you at Prenton Park.  The press from Saunders and Jennings, and pace/skill of Apter made the difference that day

From what i have read, you have rectified that this summer in defence

Time to scratch your brain a bit.  This year will be my 33rd season going to watch Tranmere. If you don't mind me asking, when was your first game to watch County?

Wendy:  As l've been watching Notts over 50 years it's too far back in the mists of time for me to remember.  My dad used to take me to Forest but he stopped going, and my uncle (a County fan) took me there instead

I fell in love with the place

One early match l do remember was Notts v Swansea Town (as City were known pre 1969) which we won 5-0.  My friend Michele, who sadly died in 2020, was a Swansea fan.  She did not enjoy the match!

Graham:  I bet she didn't!  Nice memory for you to remember about your friend though

I am pretty certain my first game was Portsmouth.  Think we won 2-1 or 2-0.  My Dad took me because he was brought up in Gosport (just outside Portsmouth) and he didn't get chance to see them much

Plus getting tickets to go watch Liverpool or Everton wasnt guaranteed, and I think he knew I wanted to watch regular live football.  He now a fully fledged Rovers fan so all worked out well in the end!

Following County over the years, what was the best game you have been to? Something that will always stay with you forever

Wendy:  The FA Cup match against Manchester City at Meadow Lane.  We drew 1-1, and it was a great game and we outplayed them.  Scrapping replays is criminal.  The rise of the Premier League is the worst thing to happen to football in my time

Graham:  Yes well we both know how i feel about the greed and arrogance of the Premier League 😂

We earned a draw at Premier League Watford a few years ago, beating them in the replay, and earning a big earner day vs Man Utd at Home. Made the club nearly £750k for those games

Its a disgrace and something that our football authorities have agreed to without liaising with the clubs (their members) first

Finally, on a personal note, how has your summer been? Seen you have been painting a bit over the summer?

Wendy:  I had an exhibition with some friends and sold £700+ worth of paintings.  It's not about the money, it's the fact that people (strangers, not people who know you) want your work on their walls

I love summer.  But l really want the season tostart.  l hope Sky don't ruin things as they have done in the Premier League

Football should be played at 3 o'clock on a Saturday.  It doesn't matter as much if you're watching it on the telly, but I love the structure of getting ready, picking the grandchildren up, walking to the game etc etc

I hope Tranmere have a good season too, and we can both get promoted.  Your fans are the (second) nicest in the EFL

Some of Wendy's work.  This work of art, is called Windows & Doors

Graham:  Thats brilliant Wendy. I do like your work.  Sadly I am more of a cartoonist rather than a painter, but i do enjoy drawing as a hobby

Yeah I do miss the football.  As you say its a nice planned Saturday afternoon seeing your football friends

How are Nigel and Marvin (Wendy's cats) enjoying the warm weather atm?

Wendy:  Not enjoying it.  Although today was lovely.  I was invited to a training session at Meadow Lane (they have moved our seats) and the ground was looking great

Nigel chilling

Marvin cleaning himself.  I hope!

Graham:  Haha Nigel is such a poser.  Eddie isn't minding the heat too much, but has found himself a little cool spot in the bushes at the back of the house so seems to spend most of his day there (must point out Eddie is a cat and not a child!)

Right I will let you get on with your night now Wendy.  I really appreciate your time on this.  Hope your season goes well, and I will give you a wave on Saturday

Wendy:  I can't come to the match!  I go with my grandchildren and they're on holiday, and going on my own would be weird!

I'm mostly a home body anyway, away travel is a big expense.  But we would have made the trip to Tranmere if we could

After Saturday I wish you well