Notts County didn't hit the jackpot with Neil Warnock's club-record Sheffield United transfer | OneFootball

Notts County’s significant spending on Tony Agana in 1991 failed to pay off.

Back in 1991, Notts County smashed their club-record transfer fee to bring Tony Agana to Meadow Lane from Sheffield United.

Under the tenure of Neil Warnock, Notts County were in the First Division, struggling for goals as the threat of relegation loomed.

In a bid to change their fortunes, the club brought Agana in the hope that he could add a regular goalscoring presence at the top end of the pitch.

Signing on the dotted line for a reported fee of £685,000, there was much expectation that the goals would flow, and Notts County could push up the division.

Unfortunately, it would be anything but, with Agana failing to hit the ground running.

Despite having a lengthy spell, it would prove to be so disappointing, with such a serious investment going to waste that led to long-term struggles.

Tony Agana’s dismal Notts County spell

After signing from Sheffield United, Tony Agana had a brief loan spell at Leeds United, but made just two appearances, largely being outshined by the contributions of Eric Cantona.

Returning to County, it was clear to see that the price tag weighed heavily on Agana’s shoulders.

He was praised for his effort to the cause, but that was sometimes his undoing as he looked to try too hard to make an impact rather than letting things come naturally on the pitch.

It also didn’t help that for large parts of his time at Meadow Lane, he was played on the left-wing. His unfamiliarity with the position led to the lack of goals, with the system he played in seemingly not suiting him down to the ground.

Despite working hard to get into the right positions, Agana was remembered for a host of bad misses, with his inability to find a consistent run of form in front of goal leading him to cut a frustrating figure for Notts County supporters to look back on.

During his six-year stay at the club, Agana would be part of an immediate relegation from the top-flight, with County scoring just 40 times that season. He would also contribute to the club bouncing down to the third tier in 1995.

After suffering a 23rd-placed finish in 1997, Agana would eventually depart Notts County to join Hereford United. From 145 appearances, Agana would muster just 15 goals – a dismal return for someone who cost so much money at the time.

Notts County, Tony Agana swerve could have avoided First Division relegation

To bring Tony Agana to the club back in 1991, Notts County sold Paul Rideout to Rangers for £500,000.

Rideout had scored three goals in 11 appearances for County in a four-month stint before his departure, but with time, he could have really improved and developed into a dependable figure in front of goal.

Rideout had previous pedigree of netting consistently for the likes of Swindon Town, Aston Villa and Southampton, and it would have been interesting to see come the end of the season if he could have scored enough goals to help Notts County survive.

Very much a panic decision, it will be something Notts County will always regret. The club should have shown more faith in Rideout to deliver on the pitch, with poor recruitment leading to their demise and seeing them struggle down the lower ends of the pyramid during that time period.