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Notts County caused shockwaves around the world when they were able to sign former Arsenal captain Sol Campbell.
The League Two side had been taken over by unknown company Munto Finance and had ambitious plans which included bringing Sven-Goran Eriksson to the club as a technical director.
Several high-profile stars were linked with Notts County and their biggest coup was Campbell, who signed after winning the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 and three years on from playing at the 2006 World Cup with England.
Sol Campbell’s only Notts County game ended in defeat
Arriving as a 34-year-old midway eight games into the season, the Magpies were on a roll with a star-studded squad and had beaten Northampton Town 5-2 the week before Campbell’s debut.
He was then brought into the side for the League Two game against Morecambe but his only appearance ended in a 2-1 loss.
Both goals they conceded came from set pieces and many hoped this was nothing more than a blip but then, one week later, everything came crashing down.
Why did Sol Campbell leave Notts County?
29 days after joining Notts County, and signing a five-year contract, the Magpies confirmed that Campbell had left the club by mutual consent.
It was a shock to many at the time but close friend of Campbell, Andy Cole, wrote a column in The Independent which suggested that the defender had left because of ‘broken promises’.
Writing in 2009, he said: “I can tell you that he [Sol] left Notts County because of what he perceived as unkept promises. He bought into the whole County project, he really did.
“He has now left County because he had been led to believe there would be major resources invested at Meadow Lane rapidly and obviously, not just in new players but in facilities and infrastructure. That has not happened.”
Campbell also claimed that he was told a number of names like Roberto Carlos and Benjani were mentioned as possible signings which never materialised.