Macaulay Langstaff and Les Bradd: A Relationship Built on Goals and History

Macaulay Langstaff has had a record-breaking season with Notts County and there’s no telling where his career will go from here. He’s hoping to cap off his first season with the Magpies by achieving promotion.

Despite initial doubts about his ability to adapt to a new league and environment, Langstaff has proven himself by scoring 42 goals in 45 games. He’s set new records for the most goals in a league season for Notts and in the National League and is the first player to win three Player of the Month awards in a single campaign.

Langstaff’s achievements have been recognised by his peers and fans alike. He’s won both the Players’ and Fans’ Player of the Season awards, presented by Magpies' legend Les Bradd. Langstaff even shared a brief conversation and warm embrace with Bradd before taking to the Meadow Lane pitch and scoring another record-breaking goal.

In an interview with the Nottingham Post, Macaulay Langstaff spoke about the relationship he has with Bradd and how Bradd has played a pivotal role in helping him uncover and further develop his goal-scoring touch. 

He said: "It's been unbelievable. He always has a laugh and a joke with me every time I see him and about the goals he scored, and he always says don't try and beat my record for one season!

"He's been so good for me, he has given me tips ever since I first came to the club - he met me on one of my first days here, and he was telling me about the club and the history of it and things like that.

"I see him more or less every single game when we come in on a Saturday or a midweek game, he is always stood there shaking the lads' hands.

"When you see a figure like that when you walk into the club, it gives you that motivation to go on the pitch because he always has nice, calm words and for him to deliver me those awards on the pitch, it was an unbelievable feeling for me."

Langstaff arrived at Notts County from Gateshead along with teammate Cedwyn Scott after the pair scored a combined total of 54 goals in all competitions for Mike Williamson’s side. Langstaff quickly made his mark by scoring two goals in a 3-0 win over Maidenhead on opening day at Meadow Lane.

Notts County is now just two games away from returning to the Football League after a four-year absence and the possibility of back-to-back promotions has become a reality. Langstaff is using his title-winning experience to help his team’s push for promotion and has noted how the dressing room at Meadow Lane differs from the one he experienced last season.

"I have noticed a few differences, but more similarities.

"Obviously last year was a very successful one for myself and Cedwyn also came with me from Gateshead after winning promotion, so we tried to add that little experience in the dressing room, but we have got that experience all over the pitch - we have winners in there.

"I think I have tried to add that coming from Gateshead as well - there are a few differences, obviously this team is full of leaders, full of winners, and some lads that have played at the top level and Gateshead wasn't necessarily like that.

"But in terms of similarities, there are many."

Langstaff is close to playing on the Wembley turf and could return two more times after the National League season ends. The 26-year-old, born in Stockton-on-Tees, is a lifelong Middlesborough fan. Michael Carrick’s team has secured a place in the Championship playoffs after an impressive turnaround at the Riverside Stadium since Carrick took over as manager.

Langstaff’s grin grew wider as he spoke about his childhood club, and said: "Yeah definitely,

"They have got into the play-offs, and they could potentially be at Wembley two weeks after we potentially get there, and I have always said I would love to add another trip to Wembley, so hopefully they both lead to victories because that would be unbelievable and probably my dream season."

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