Notts County's goalkeeper James Belshaw has had a remarkable journey in football, shaped by his early life in Nottingham. Born and raised in Clifton, he grew up in a Notts County-supporting household, where his father has been a season ticket holder for over sixty years. Belshaw's path to the club was not straightforward; after leaving the Magpies youth system in 2005, he spent years playing in various leagues, including a stint in the USA and two play-off final victories with Harrogate Town. It wasn't until January of this year that he finally signed with Notts County at the age of 35. Belshaw fondly recalls his first memories of supporting Notts, including being a mascot on his sixth birthday during a match against Bristol Rovers. He remembers the excitement of the Sam Allardyce promotion season and the memorable players from his youth, such as Gary Jones and Ian Hendon. Reflecting on his time in the youth setup, he notes the success of peers like David McGoldrick and Leon Best, who went on to have impressive careers. After being released by Notts, Belshaw briefly joined Walsall but ultimately chose to pursue a scholarship in the United States, where he earned degrees while continuing to play football. His journey underscores the importance of resilience and passion in the world of football, especially for young fans of Notts County who look up to players like him.