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Julie Henshaw: Notts County Love Passed Down Through Generations

Chris

By Chris

Julie Henshaw's love for Notts County runs deep. Her parents met through supporting the team, with her mother starting to attend games in 1946 and her father joining her after finishing his National Service in 1947. They travelled to away games on what was known as Bill Reynolds' number one bus.

"My mum and dad met through supporting Notts," Julie recalls. "Mum started going in 1946, just before they signed Tommy Lawton. Dad was finishing his National Service so didn't start going until 1947. They travelled to away games on what was known as Bill Reynolds' number one bus."

Julie's first memory of Notts County was when her father took her brother to Meadow Lane one Easter Saturday. That night, her brother ran around the front room with a rolled-up paper bag, shouting the names of players like Masson, Barker, and Bradd.

"I first remember my dad taking my brother to Meadow Lane one Easter Saturday," Julie says. "My brother would be about 5 or 6, maybe. That night after the game, my bro was running around the front room all night with a rolled-up paper bag, Mason, Barker, Bradd just like commentators on TV."

On Easter Monday, the whole family went to Meadow Lane to see the team play against Bradford Park Avenue. Notts County won 5-2, and Julie has been a fan ever since.

"We beat Bradford Park Avenue 5-2," Julie remembers. "And just never looked back."

Some of Julie's most memorable moments as a Notts County fan include attending Wembley games against teams like Tranmere and Brighton, watching Charlie Palmer score the winning goal against their rivals, and celebrating when the team won the league in 2009/10. She also remembers the uncertainty when it was unclear if Ray Trew would put the team into administration, and the relief when he didn't.

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"All the Wembley games against Tranmere Brighton etc," Julie lists as some of her most memorable moments. "The game v our illustrious neighbours and Charlie Palmer scoring the winning goal. The horrible time when we didn't know if Ray Trew would put us in admin. He didn't, as we all know now. Winning the league in 2009/10."

Julie shows her support for Notts County by contributing to the team's Facebook and Twitter pages on match days and cheering for the players as they come out of the tunnel. She also had a huge flag made to take to Wembley when the team played against Harrogate during lockdown.

"I always contribute on Notts Facebook and Twitter pages on match days," Julie says. "Give the lads a cheer and a clap as they come from the tunnel. We had a huge flag made to go to Wembley against Harrogate in lockdown."

One of Julie's rituals as a Notts County fan is having a cooked breakfast on Saturdays, just bacon and egg. And if she wears something and the team wins, she'll wear the same outfit again.

"One of my rituals is a cooked breakfast on Saturday," Julie shares. "Just bacon and egg. And if I've worn something, and we've won, I'll wear the same thing again."

Being a part of the Pride of Nottingham community has enriched Julie's experience as a Notts County fan by allowing her to connect with other supporters and participate in activities such as the prediction league.

"Well it's nice to be in touch with other Notts fans sometimes," Julie says about being part of the Pride of Nottingham community. "And sometimes getting to know those fans. I really enjoy prediction league too."

She believes that what sets Notts County apart from other football clubs is that it is the best club for families.

"Notts is the best club for families," Julie states simply.

Julie's love for Notts County has been passed down through generations, with her 11-year-old Derby-supporting grandson Harvey attending a trip to Wembley with her and her 91-year-old mother. Harvey even had tears in his eyes when Cedwyn scored the winning penalty.

"Our trip to Wembley this year," Julie recalls fondly. "Also attended by my 11-year-old Derby supporting grandson Harvey. And my 91-year-old mum. She's in her 77th year supporting Notts on Nov 3rd. Harvey had tears on his face when Cedwyn scored the winning penalty."

For Julie Henshaw, supporting Notts County is more than just a hobby – it's a family tradition that brings joy and excitement to her life. And she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I just love it," she says simply.

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Check out the Pride of Nottingham Match Discussion for the weekend’s away game against Doncaster Rovers. Join in with like-minded fans and share your views on the game both pre- and post-match.

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liampie

i love this @magpiejue and @Chris.

the rich history of julies family supporting the club, it does run a lot in families and it makes reading stories like this. i feel over the years, julie has been a great support and she is one of the people i look up to from notts. i dont think we have ever met in person but i feel i know her well. her mother has been coming to notts games for aslong as i can remember, the fact she still goes is amazing.

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TheSkipper

It's always great to read about the history of Notts  and how fans like @magpiejue have supported the team through thick and thin. Julie's story shows the power of football to bring people together and create lifelong memories. I like that her parents met through supporting Notts County, and her love for the team has been passed down through generations, with her 11-year-old grandson Harvey attending a trip to Wembley with her and her 91-year-old mother.

That is just wholesome to read!

Julie's dedication to Notts County is evident in the traditions and rituals she has developed as a fan. Being a part of the Pride of Nottingham community has also enriched her experience as a fan by allowing her to connect with other supporters and participate in activities such as the prediction league. Keep up the great work, Julie! 

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CliftonMagpie

Yes, Julie's love for Notts is inspiring! It's amazing to see how her passion for the team has been passed down through generations, from her parents who met through supporting the team, to her 11-year-old grandson Harvey. @magpiejue's story is a nod to the love we all have about out football club. Thank you for sharing her story with us!

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NottsLoyal

This pulled at my heartstrings, this did! Meeting through Notts fandom, and now with an 11-year-old Derby supporting grandson crying at a winning goal. Beautiful!

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upthepies

Reading this narrative has brought a genuine sense of warmth to my heart. It shows how a shared love for a football team can create not only loving relationships but lasting family traditions. The loyalty of three generations, from Julie's parents to her young grandson, is a testament to the deep-seated spirit of unity that sport can foster. Thank you Julie and @Chris, for sharing this. It makes one realise the bigger picture, that football, especially when it comes to Notts, is about much more than just the game.

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Countyman

I just had to chime in here. The love for Notts County that Julie and her family displayed so vividly moved me. This story is really an ode to the far-reaching impact one shared interest can have: creating deep bonds across generations and fostering memorable experiences. The power of football, indeed!

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BromPie

This piece is a sterling reminder of how a shared interest can help forge lasting bonds. The way Julie and her family's love for Notts County has evolved over the years, the rituals they follow, the shared experiences - it's all a testament to how this wonderful sport creates thriving communities. The role Pride of Nottingham plays in bringing these stories to the foreground is commendable. Keep sharing these stories @Chris. They weave a rich tapestry that every Notts fan can relate to and be proud of.

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thommo

This is so much more than a football story. It beautifully captures the essence of the bond that can develop over shared passions. Julie's lifelong devotion to Notts, passed down through generations, is a heartwarming tale of unity and faith.

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Fan of Big Tone

It’s great to read Julie’s journey supporting Notts. I first met her and her family when I had a season ticket in the seat next to her, she is always very vocal and the one thing I remember her shouting and berating the referee when he made a decision she didn’t like she’d shout things like “you’ve come on the bus with them ref”, I also remember when I brought grandson @George L to the match Julie would find some sweets for him in her bag. A lovely lady and a lovely family.

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super_ram

A lovely read spanning generations and a family's love of football.I first  met Julie,her mother and a young Harvey a few years ago  and of course there were references to my  club.A month or so  later I left  @GrannyPie in her wheelchair outside our chemists ,after  an appointment at  the doctors, while I collected her prescription.When I came out @GrannyPie wasn't where I'd left her but had moved towards the road and was talking to someone in a car that had pulled up to ask directions..It turned out to be Julie with her husband trying to find their way to our @Chris's to put up some fencing.Talk about a small world.A lovely lady and a lovely family.

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AmericanPie

Julie's story is beautifully interwoven with passion, tradition, and an unwavering loyalty towards Notts. The way her family has passed down their love for the team through generations is simply amazing. This truly embodies the spirit of being a Magpie!

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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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