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Nigel Nattrass: A Life Shaped by Notts County


PON_News

Nigel Nattrass is a lifelong Notts County supporter. Born and bred in Stapleford, the youngest of two boys, his love for Notts County runs deep. "I was born into a Notts County supporting family," he says. "My Dad was a fan from the early 1930s until his death in 2001. My grandpa, as a young boy, saw the last game Notts played at Trent Bridge and the first at Meadow Lane."

Some of Nigel's fondest memories of supporting Notts County include all the promotions he's seen, the Wembley finals, and of course every time they beat Forest. He even met his wonderful better half, Sue, on the old County Road terraces. "We have been together since 1985," he says.

Over time, Nigel's support for Notts County has only changed in one way. "The only real change was when I left full-time education and started work...which meant I could afford to go to every game, home and away. I've been doing just that ever since," he says.

Being a Notts County supporter has impacted Nigel's life and relationships with others in a big way. "It has been my life's priority!" he exclaims. "I have missed cousins' weddings etc because I was watching Notts. All my working life I was able to arrange time off or swap shifts to get to games, and now that I'm retired I won't make plans for anything without checking the fixture list first."

For Nigel, being a loyal long-time supporter of Notts County means identity, belonging, joy, sadness, anger, frustration. "It's a rollercoaster," he says. "But it has shaped my life and my character. It's not just a hobby or a pastime. It's a way of life."

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Nigel's passion for Notts County is evident in everything he does. He doesn't have any traditions or rituals when it comes to supporting the team - "Not really. I'm not superstitious," he says - but his dedication to the club is unwavering.

His brother David is also a Notts County supporter and the two of them share their love for the club. "The same goes for my brother," Nigel says. "Notts County dominates my life...and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Nigel's story is one of passion and dedication to his beloved club. His love for Notts County has shaped his life and his character in countless ways. For Nigel, being a loyal long-time supporter of Notts County is more than just a hobby or pastime - it's a way of life.

In addition to his love for Notts County, Nigel also has a strong sense of community and belonging in Stapleford where he grew up. His family has deep roots in the area and Nigel is proud to call it home.

Nigel's story is one of passion and dedication to both his beloved club and his community. His love for Notts County has shaped his life in countless ways and will continue to do so for years to come.

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CliftonMagpie

Posted

It does sound like Notts has made a big impact on Nigel. Coming from a Notts family, it will always be in the blood, but I also think this is a great story. It’s nice to read into the background of fans. If Nigel reads this and can jump on board with PON, it’s a fantastic story!

  • Like 16
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allardyces tash

Posted

I recognise his face from games. It’s a good story and very interesting to see that he found his wife at a Notts game. That might be rarer than some fans think, but it’s a nice touch to this story.

  • Like 15
KingMaynard

Posted

Reading Nigel's story, I can't help but be proud of also being a Notts County fan. Best of luck to you, Nigel, and may our club continue to have dedicated supporters like you!

  • Like 13
TheSkipper

Posted

It’s a good insight into a lifelong fan, the backstory about being born in Stapleford and being part of a Magpie family. I bet he has seen many happier times watching Notts, so I’m pleased that we are on a new projection due to our ownership rebuilding the foundations to strive for success on the pitch.

Fans like Nigel will have had those times when this peaks. I have seen limited success myself, but I do hope to be in the position when I’m older to share my story of being a Notts fan. This is fantastic - how he met his partner Sue is just one of those things that seems to be destiny rather than a coincidence.

  • Like 15
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Joshua

Posted

His family must have a lot of history within the club. I hope his father passed on accounts of what it was like when Notts played at Trent Bridge and then Meadow Lane when it became our new home. That would be something! It's good to read about various fans' backgrounds, as everyone has their own tale and I think this one shows that our fans do put the club first and foremost, which is an incredible gesture. Having found his partner while supporting Notts is another interesting thing. It stops the rivalry and chance that immediate family won't be fans. Notts has a rich history, so things like this are great to read about. I hope Nigel takes up @CliftonMagpie suggestion - he seems a good fit.

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NottsTastic

Posted

Cool to know that Nigel's grandfather saw the last game at Trent Bridge and the first at Meadow Lane. It's like Notts County runs in their blood!

  • Like 12
Sirrels County

Posted

I also think it's great that Nigel's love for Notts County has impacted his life so positively, even with missing important events to watch games.

  • Like 15
Chris

Posted

53 minutes ago, CliftonMagpie said:

It’s nice to read into the background of fans. If Nigel reads this and can jump on board with PON, it’s a fantastic story!

Nigel is a member, but he tends to be busy. He has written for PON too, in the past under his account. @Natty.

51 minutes ago, KingWilliams said:

Reading Nigel's story, I can't help but be proud of also being a Notts County fan. Best of luck to you, Nigel, and may our club continue to have dedicated supporters like you!

See the above, @Fan of Big Tone suggested asking Nigel to come on board and he has helped in the past. I believe he goes to Nottingham Panthers games too, which takes a lot of dedication and time too.

  • Like 15
MagpieLane

Posted

I can relate to Nigel so much! Notts County has been such a big part of my life as well, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

  • Like 10
Fan of Big Tone

Posted

I’ve known of Nigel @Natty for many years although I’ve never met him but he used to be a regular poster on the Notts County Mailing list to which I belong. I know he rarely misses any matches home or away and is a true fan.

  • Like 11
ExiledPie

Posted

Nigel's story really highlights the dedication and loyalty some fans have for their clubs, and it's inspiring to see.

  • Like 11
NiftyNick

Posted

Notts are fortunate to have a significant number of fans who support the team not just for their victories, but out of loyalty. This loyalty, as described by Nigel in this article, is often rooted in family ties. That’s why it’s important for us to remain a family-oriented club.

  • Like 9
NottsCountyKev

Posted

It’s truly amazing how supporting a football team can bring people together. I love hearing stories like Nigel and his brother sharing a passion for the club. And how Nigel met his wife Sue on the County Road terraces and they’ve been together for so long.

It’s just incredible. It is nice to know that there are supporters out there who devote so much of their lives to the club.

  • Like 3
liampie

Posted

@Natty thank you for sharing your story with @Chris, i enjoyed this and thought it told a great story of your history supporting notts. the parts about your family and wife, it really made the story standout.

  • Like 1


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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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