By John May

Thompson is keen to make his own impression

It is almost eight years since Allardyce last trod the Meadow Lane corridors, and Thompson feels that nobody has really filled his boots since.

But Thompson is ready to try them on for size as he bids to restore past glories to the Magpies.

Thompson told BBC Sport: "Since Sam was here, the fans have had nobody to identify with as a leader or captain of the ship.

"Hopefully I can give them that," adds Thompson who is under no illusions as to the size of his task.

Former Cambridge and Sheffield United boss Thompson has been in charge at Meadow Lane almost a year, the latest to park his backside in a seat that has been the venue for a game of musical chairs.

"I probably wasn't the fans' choice last season, but by commitment, results and the players I bring in, we'll win them round," he said.

Now we've got a chairman and board all singing from the same hymn sheet as the manager Notts County manager Steve Thompson

County have been desperate for stability, as a succession of bosses have whizzed through the revolving door that has seemingly been fitted to the manager's office at Meadow Lane.

Since Jimmy Sirrell's third spell ended in 1987, only three of the 13 managers County have had in that time have lasted more than 18 months.

Neil Warnock (1988-93), Allardyce (1997-99), and Billy Dearden (2002-04) are the only ones to have sat in the seat long enough to have warmed it and put a cushion on it.

But armed with a contract up to 2010, Thompson at last feels things have stabilised.

Thompson told BBC Sport: "Over the last six or seven years this club has had a manager a season, and that's not good for the club.

"Now we've got a chairman and board all singing from the same hymn sheet as the manager."

A contributing factor in County's stability, according to Thompson, is director of football Howard Wilkinson.

Directors of football are often looked upon by manager as unnecessary and dangerous intrusions.

But that is not the case with former Leeds boss Wilkinson, who also managed England and was the Football Association's director of football.

Wilkinson is a link between board and manager

Thompson said: "Sometimes a director of football is appointed above a manager and he has no connection with him, doesn't know him from Adam.

"I have known Howard since I was 18, he took me to Boston United with him and we've had a good relationship over many years.

"Howard knows what makes me tick and if I need to I can just pick up the phone and he offers his advice.

"I have always consulted him about any moves within the game and I would be stupid not to use a man who was the last English manager to win the Premier League, managed England, and instigated academies.

"He's my link to the directors and the chairman."

The new air of stability around Meadow Lane has given Thompson more scope with his team building plans for this season.

This time last year I had a fishing line in the Trent and was pulling players out of the river Steve Thompson

"With Howard as the director of football, and John Gannon as my assistant there's a management structure within the club and it's going in the right direction, and the financial situation is better as well.

"When I came in last season, I released 14 players and at one point had three senior professionals.

"This time last year I had a fishing line in the Trent and was pulling players out of the river. This year I can be more selective."

It is 15 years since both Nottingham clubs were in the top flight at the same time, when County's three-year stint in the old Division One ended in 1984.

Nottingham is a city crying out for top-flight football and with Forest missing out in the League One play-offs and County stranded in mid-table in League Two, the prospect seems a long way off.

Thompson keeps a mindful eye on the junior club across the Trent and says: "Colin did a very good job when he came in last season and will be disappointed they missed out.

"We know we're in the shadow of Forest in terms of support, stadium and what Brian Clough achieved over the years.