Homecoming Hero: Macaulay Langstaff Celebrated in Stockton

Macaulay Langstaff, the rising star striker of Notts County, has had an amazing week. The Stockton-born player helped the Magpies' achieve promotion back to the English Football League last Saturday.

Langstaff made 47 appearances for Notts County this season and scored a record-breaking 42 goals. He has been described as English football’s most coveted striker outside the Premier League.

In an interview with Teesside Live, Langstaff spoke about his “unbelievable” season and what the future holds. The match against Chesterfield last Saturday was an emotional rollercoaster for fans, with the game finishing with a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. The Magpies emerged victorious, winning 3-4 on penalties.

Langstaff, also known as ‘Macca’, was thrown a huge homecoming celebration outside Ragworth Shops when he returned to the Stockton estate earlier this week. Hundreds flocked to the shops with banners, balloons and smoke flares. The footy star spent time signing autographs, taking pictures and chatting away with members of the community.

Speaking briefly to Teesside Live at the event, he described his homecoming as both “overwhelming” and “unbelievable”. Before he headed back on the journey up north for the celebration, he spent a few minutes on the phone chatting with us about how he felt after the promotion victory.

“It was probably the best feeling I have ever had in my life, never mind my football career,” he said of the momentous win. “To get promotion at Wembley, the way we did it as well after the season we have had, it was a special feeling.”

Talks have now already turned to the future as big money offers are expected to flood in for Langstaff. However, Langstaff told Teesside Live that he is “just focusing on being with Notts” for the time being - but that “whatever happens in the summer happens”.

Langstaff started playing for Marton FC when he was around 10-years-old. He went on to play for a number of other local teams including Boro Rangers, Stockton Town and Billingham Synthonia. He signed his first professional contract with Gateshead and then moved to York City for two years. He later returned to Gateshead for another two seasons before joining Notts County on a three-year contract last year.

Langstaff previously said that being let go from Middlesbrough affected him for a few years. However, in hindsight, he said that knowing his path today he “wouldn’t change that for the world.” He continued: “I was playing Sunday League until I was 19-years-old… I went through the route of playing with my mates and enjoying it! The hard way really.”

He said that - going back even five years - he would “never thought he’d be in this position.” “Even going back three years, I would never have thought this at all,” he said. “I wasn’t reaching the heights I have hit the last three years, so it has been a special ride.”

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