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Notts County’s Latest Fan Forum: A Deep Dive into Stadium Life, Squad Plans, and Supporter Conduct

In a detailed and engaging Fan Forum, Notts County’s leadership team, including CEO Joe Palmer, owners Chris and Alex Reedtz, board member Rich Montague, and head coach Stuart Maynard, shed light on pressing issues affecting the club and its passionate supporters.

Here are the key takeaways from the evening, offering insights into the challenges and aspirations shaping the future of Notts County.  

Supporter Conduct and Stadium Safety  
The forum opened with a stark reminder about the importance of fan responsibility, with a focus on reducing incidents involving pyrotechnics and thrown objects. Joe Palmer warned of potential sanctions if such behaviour persists and called for collective accountability to protect the club’s reputation.  

Discussions also highlighted plans to install handrails in the stands to improve safety and accessibility. There exists a sense of cautious optimism regarding the reopening of the Jimmy Sirrel Stand for home fans, depending on demand and budgetary factors.  

Enhancing Matchday Atmosphere  
Plans for live pre-match entertainment were unveiled, including the addition of a DJ to heighten the buzz at Meadow Lane. Updates to the Nest, including faster service and expanded beverage offerings, aim to elevate the fan experience. Moreover, stadium improvements remain high on the agenda, with safe standing and upgrades to facilities like toilets and disability access in the works for next season.  

Training Ground and Youth Development
While training ground development has faced setbacks in finding suitable land, the club’s partnership with the University of Nottingham is bearing fruit. This collaboration is not only enhancing training facilities and equipment but also fostering innovative projects for mutual benefit.  

Youth development remains a priority, with a focus on integrating more Nottingham-based players into the team. However, the club acknowledged challenges in competing with Cat 1 academies like Nottingham Forest, which can offer more attractive pathways to young talents.  

Recruitment Strategies and Financial Sustainability
The forum explored the club’s recruitment philosophy, balancing financial sustainability with the ambition of assembling a promotion-ready squad. Loan signings and exploring international markets, particularly Scandinavia and the Netherlands, were highlighted as strategic moves to strengthen the team cost-effectively.  

While the summer transfer window was deemed successful, with most key targets acquired, the leadership stressed the importance of squad depth, particularly in light of injuries. Stuart Maynard expressed optimism about key players returning in January and praised the tactical flexibility of his squad, including the use of inverted wingbacks.  

Fan Engagement and Ticketing Innovations
The loyalty points system for ticketing sparked lively debate. While it aims to reward dedicated supporters, concerns were raised about fairness, particularly regarding points allocation for away games. Suggestions for digital ticketing and improved seat selection options were noted as areas for future improvement.  

The forum also emphasised a commitment to inclusivity, with new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives underway and efforts to better align the women’s and girls’ sections with the men’s and boys’ teams.  

Looking Ahead  
As the session drew to a close, discussions touched on fixture scheduling frustrations and long-term plans for Meadow Lane. The owners reiterated their commitment to progressing up the divisions, with the League 2 milestone serving as a stepping stone.  

The forum showcased a club deeply invested in its community and acutely aware of the balance between ambition and sustainability. Notts County’s leadership remains determined to address challenges, innovate, and ensure the club thrives both on and off the pitch.  

This vibrant dialogue reinforced the unique bond between the Magpies and their supporters, a partnership driving the club’s resurgence.

Dive into the full conversation with Pride of Nottingham and see how fellow Notts fans are reacting to yesterday's Fans' Forum.

Share your matchday insights with Pride of Nottingham - what are your thoughts on this weekend's home clash against Newport County?

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NiftyNick

Posted

Loved hearing about the plans for live pre-match entertainment! A DJ sounds like a brilliant addition to the matchday vibe.

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thommo

Posted

The conversation about the loyalty points system caught my attention. I think it’s a great concept, but the club should consider adjusting the points allocation to reflect the effort of travelling to distant away games. It’s also good to see that they’re monitoring the fairness of the system for future tweaks. A fairer approach could encourage even more support on the road.

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NottsTastic

Posted

Really impressed by the club’s partnership with the University of Nottingham. Training facilities are so crucial for success.

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KingMaynard

Posted

Recruitment strategy sounds solid, love the idea of scouting Scandinavian and Dutch leagues for fresh talent!

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RetroPie

Posted

The discussion on squad depth and summer recruitment really stood out to me. It's clear the club is working hard to balance finances while keeping the team competitive. The focus on impactful loan players is smart, especially given the injury challenges we've faced. I also liked hearing about the potential for international scouting, exploring untapped markets could be a game-changer for Notts.

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Robbie

Posted

The  training facilities are an exciting development along with the partnership with Nottingham University . 

I think that planned improvements to the stadium is an exciting development. I think the safe standing plans will be very popular as well as opening the Jimmy Sirrel stand to home supporters.

I hope that if Notts do get promoted, the Club will look to increase the capacity of the stadium as they get higher in the football pyramid.

Also the club looking to strengthen in the January Window is welcome too. 

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StanfordPie

Posted

I’m intrigued by the plans for safe standing next season. It’s something many fans have been asking for, and it could really improve the atmosphere at Meadow Lane. I hope the club works closely with supporters to make sure it’s implemented in the right way. This kind of initiative shows they’re listening to feedback, which is always encouraging.

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liampie

Posted

i think its productive that the club and board are continuing to look forward, it sounds like the training ground has not been something that notts can secure and with the comments about how using the university facilities i take this as nothing will change for this season at least maybe not even the next. there has to be land within distance to meadow lane which would be ideal for transforming into a training facility but i think the priority of us owning our own until we are further up the pyramid.

its good the club is looking outside of the english leagues for talent, we do need a few new additions come the january transfer window but in large its all very positive.

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NottsCountyKev

Posted

The updates on stadium facilities were good to hear, especially with improvements to toilets and disability access. These things might seem small to some, but they make a big difference to the matchday experience. Adding handrails and opening up the Jimmy Sirrel Stand to ease congestion are steps in the right direction. Meadow Lane is our home, and it’s great to see it being looked after.

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allardyces tash

Posted

I appreciate the openness about the club’s recruitment strategy, especially the focus on balancing the budget while still strengthening the squad. Exploring Scandinavian and Dutch leagues is an exciting prospect. It’s clear they’re thinking long-term, which is crucial for sustainability. Let’s hope January brings some smart signings to push us even higher up the table.

The club's transparent approach not only builds trust with supporters but also sets a positive example for responsible management. By targeting players from regions known for their technical skills and discipline, they are looking to add real value to the team. January can't come soon enough to see these plans in action.

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Fan of Big Tone

Posted

It’s all very positive and shows that our beloved club is in good hands and has a bright future. Thank you for this article @TheSkipper

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Piethagoram

Posted

Previous forums, there were always some cringeworthy questions from the floor... but thought last night, all the questions were good and the fans left with a greater understanding of how the club is being run and the challenges of prioritising what gets done first.

The only downsides, the taking off of Doom Bar in The Nest.. and no insight on bringing back Pukka Pies!🤣

 

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The Heff

Posted

It’s refreshing to see the club addressing both on-pitch and off-pitch matters so openly. The updates about the Jimmy Cyril Stand and accessibility improvements at Meadow Lane show a real commitment to making match days enjoyable for everyone. Safe standing is also a great idea, I hope they consult fans closely to get it right.  

On the footballing side, I’m pleased with the summer recruitment process and the emphasis on tactical flexibility. The way Stuart Maynard is handling injuries and integrating younger players is promising, even if it’s not easy. If the January window brings a couple more reinforcements, we could really be set up for a strong push this season.

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