Luke Williams discusses Notts County’s new kit design and player evaluation

The city of Nottingham was alive with anticipation as two of its local football clubs, Notts County and Nottingham Forest, prepared to play in a pre-season friendly at Meadow Lane. The match was a chance for both teams to showcase their skills and for fans to get a glimpse of what the upcoming season might hold.

As the day of the match approached, excitement grew among the residents of Nottingham. Flags and banners were hung from windows and balconies, and the streets were filled with the sound of chanting and singing.

Notts County's rivalry between Nottingham Forest was fierce, but there was also a sense of camaraderie among the fans, united in their love for the beautiful game. The atmosphere was electric, with over 16,500 fans in attendance to show their support for their respective teams.

Luke Williams, the head coach of Notts County, was thrilled with the turnout and the opportunity for the city to showcase itself. "Well yeah, I think it's just a chance for us as a city to show off," he said.

"Where else are you going to get 16,500 for a preseason friendly? And the atmosphere was great, you know, because the game wasn't a thriller in it. 

"But there was applause from the fans, and we had a great opportunity to show respect and let their families know that their loved ones have not been forgotten."

Despite the game not being a thriller, Williams had nothing but praise for his counterpart, Nottingham Forest's manager, Steve Cooper. "Yeah I did [meet with him before the game]. And he's just total class, isn't he? 

"He came and spent some time with me before the game, which he did this time last year. And that helped me hugely, it really did. 

"It helped me so much. And I've had some time with him again today. He's a Premier League manager. You don't get that opportunity very often, and we'll try to encourage him to have a chat with me again with my staff and his staff. So yeah, it's brilliant to be able to share the technical area with him."

Williams also reflected on his time away from football during the off-season. "Yeah I had some holiday time," he said. 

"What is done, is done now, no one can ever take the memories away. But for now I'm at work again and have to concentrate on what's in front of us. And at some point in the future, hopefully a long time from now, we'll be able to reflect back on maybe more success as well at this brilliant football club."

When asked about former Notts County player Ruben Rodrigues, Williams expressed his well-wishes for him. "Yeah we hope so [that he does well]. 

"You know with this there's nothing we can do. We can't hide them [the players]. They're there to be observed. And you know we wish Ruben well of course because we love Ruben here. And everything that he helped us to achieve last season in particular for me because it wasn't the only one I worked with him, but I know he's been here for a number of seasons and everyone adores him."

Williams also discussed his approach to evaluating new players during the pre-season friendlies. "Yeah you know me, I allow the club, the people that really know what they're looking at [to evaluate new players]. And they of course can watch the pre-season friendlies.

"If they have any concerns they can act upon it, but you know I'm happy with a group of players and I need to pour all of my time and effort into those players that are already in the building. And if we have new players join us then they will get the same service from myself."

Finally, Williams expressed his excitement about Notts County's new kit design for the upcoming season. "Yeah you know I really was so keen for us to be back in a proper stripe," he said. 

"I loved the pinstripe of course last season; the double pinstripe was great. And of course that shirt will always hold a place for me. But to see the proper black and white bars was... I just thought we looked so close to them, be quite honest."

As the pre-season friendly between Notts County and Nottingham Forest came to a close, the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season was palpable. With a successful turnout and a chance for the city of Nottingham to shine, it's clear that the love for football runs deep in the hearts of its residents. As Williams said, "It's just a chance for us as a city to show off." And with the new season on the horizon, there's no doubt that both Notts County and Nottingham Forest will continue to make their city proud.

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