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PON_News
Notts County has announced the signing of Jodi Jones on a two-year deal. The Maltese winger, who was crucial in securing his loan club's promotion to League Two last season, has already won the hearts of the fans. He's also an international player. Fans eagerly anticipate his dazzling skills and goals.
Jones scored the winning goal in extra time against Boreham Wood in the National League semi-final, making him the hero of Notts County. He helped Notts County return to the English Football League after a four-year absence by scoring an important penalty in the shoot-out in the playoffs final against Chesterfield. After being released by Oxford United before the final, he accepted a two-year contract from Notts County.
Jones began his career with Dagenham & Redbridge and became their youngest league player in 2015. He then moved to Coventry City and won the EFL Trophy with them in 2017. Despite scoring a hat-trick on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, he suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him for two seasons. In 2022, he signed for Oxford United but made only five appearances before joining Notts County on loan.
A statement from Notts County and head coach Luke Williams reads: "We, along with our head coach Luke Williams, share our supporters’ appreciation of Jodi’s obvious talent and love for the game.
"His football fanaticism is so apparent in his distinctive playing style and how hard he works for the team. He embodies the type of player and person we want to have at the club. 
"we’re really excited to see him at the peak of his powers once he’s had a full pre-season under his belt.
"After everything Jodi has been through, we’re so pleased we were able to give him the platform to perform last season and the memories of him celebrating against Boreham Wood will live long in everyone’s memory.
"We know how determined Jodi is to progress from here, not only for himself but also his incredibly supportive family, and we’re behind him all the way."
Since arriving on loan from Oxford United midway through the 2022-23 season, the Malta international has become a hugely popular figure at Meadow Lane. His hard work and dedication to building his fitness has paid off with some excellent performances on the pitch, helping to secure promotion for the magpies.
Notts County's board of directors are thrilled that he will be staying with the club and are looking forward to seeing him deliver many more big moments in the English Football League. His impact has been felt both on and off the pitch, the future looks bright for both the player and the club.
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PON_News
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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Chris
Born on July 25, 1986 in Sheffield, England, Jonathan Forte is a former professional footballer who played for several notable clubs during his career, including Notts County. 
Forte began his football journey as a schoolboy at Rotherham United's Academy, but later joined the Sheffield United Academy, where he played alongside Billy Sharp. 
During his youth career, he also featured for England at youth level.
He made his professional debut for Sheffield United in 2005, playing in the Championship against Plymouth Argyle. 
He went on to play for various clubs, including Doncaster Rovers, Rotherham United Scunthorpe United, Notts County, Southampton, Preston North End, Oldham Athletic, and Exeter City.
Forte's career saw him play for several clubs on loan, including Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers. 
He later signed for Scunthorpe United in 2007, where he spent three years, scoring nine goals in ninety-eight appearances. 
In 2008, he joined Notts County on his first loan spell at the club, initially for a month.
Forte scored a hat-trick on his debut against Barnet and his short spell at Meadow Lane ended with four goals in four appearances.

The striker later re-joined Notts after renewing his loan in 2009, where he scored a further 4 goals in 14 appearances. 
Forte then signed for Southampton, but he only played 11 times in three years, scoring just two goals.
In 2011, he had a short loan with Preston North End, where he struggled to score and only made three appearances before securing a loan back to Notts in 2012. 
Forte found his earlier form with the Magpies, netting five goals in ten appearances. 
In the same year, he was also loaned out to Crawley Town, scoring three times in twelve appearances.
He would rejoin hometown team Sheffield United on loan in 2013. 
Before leaving Southampton in 2014, after playing as a trialist for Oldham Athletic against Australian outfit Melbourne City, Forte signed permanently for the Latics.
He went on to score a career record amount of 18 goals from 60 appearances.
In 2016, Forte and Notts had another reunion, joining the Magpies for an undisclosed fee. 
During his time at Meadow Lane, Forte became a fan favourite, scoring some crucial goals that helped the club avoid relegation. 

In the 2017-2018 season, he scored a crucial goal against Coventry City in the playoffs at the Ricoh Arena. 
In the home tie at Meadow Lane, he wrongly had a goal ruled out for offside which would have put Notts level at 2-2.
Forte then joined League Two club Exeter City, where he played for two seasons, scoring five goals in 27 appearances. 
He left the club in 2019 and unfortunately had retired from professional football at the age of 33 due to injury. 
During his 15-year career, Forte played for ten different clubs and scored 80 goals in 412 league games. 
Throughout his career, Forte was known for his speed, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing. 
He was also capable of playing in a variety of attacking positions, including as a central striker, on the wings, and as an attacking midfielder. 
His versatility and work rate made him a valuable asset to his teams and helped him establish himself as a regular player throughout his career.
Since his retirement, Forte has become involved in coaching and mentoring young footballers. 
He has set up his own academy, the Jonathan Forte Football Academy, which provides coaching and training to young footballers in Nottingham. 
Coaching and mentoring can positively impact the workplace in various ways such as building stronger teams, supporting talented employees, aligning the organization's culture and ethos with employees, creating a more inclusive culture, improving employee satisfaction scores, and staff retention.
Jonathan Forte was a versatile and skilled footballer who played for several notable clubs during his career, including Notts County. He established himself as a regular player through his speed, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing, which enabled him to play in a variety of attacking positions. Despite retiring in 2019, he will be remembered as a hardworking and valuable asset to the teams he played for throughout his career.
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PON_News
Notts County has announced that they have offered a permanent contract to winger Jodi Jones, who was on loan from Oxford United last season. Jones played a key role in the Magpies’ promotion back to the English Football League via the National League play-offs.
He scored a dramatic winner in the semi-final against Boreham Wood and converted a penalty in the shoot-out victory over Chesterfield at Wembley.
Jones, 25, joined Oxford United last summer after leaving Coventry City. He had suffered three consecutive ACL injuries that hampered his progress while at Coventry City. 
He made only a few appearances for Oxford United before joining Notts County on loan in January. He quickly became a fan favourite at Meadow Lane, making 18 appearances and scoring three goals.
Notts County manager Luke Williams praised Jones for his contribution and expressed his desire to keep him at the club. “We would love to keep Jodi, who has experienced five seasons’ worth of drama in the space of one campaign,” he told the official club website. 
“He became a Notts County hero by scoring a play-off winner and showed great composure to slot home his penalty at Wembley.”
Jones is one of seven players who have been offered new contracts by Notts County. The others are Sam Slocombe, Connell Rawlinson, Jim O’Brien, Kyle Cameron, Aaron Nemane and Ruben Rodrigues. The club has released Ed Francis, Frank Vincent and Kairo Mitchell.
Notts County is looking forward to their return to the Football League after a four-year absence. They finished second in the National League behind Wrexham and secured their promotion through the play-offs.
They will be hoping to build on their success next season and challenge for higher places in League Two.
Join in the discussion and share your thoughts on whether Notts County fans think Jodi Jones will sign permanently with the club.
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TheSkipper
Matt Palmer is an exceptional midfield player for Notts County. He's robust, thoughtful, and reads the game well. His ability to complete passes while driving the team forward is outstanding. He's a calming influence in the centre of midfield, a complete footballer in the mould of Neal Bishop's work rate mixed with the ability of Phil Turner.
Since arriving at Notts County, Palmer has been paramount to the club's success. Simply put, if you remove him from the line-up, the formation and instructions of Luke Williams simply wouldn't work as well. It's one of the main reasons why he's been an ever-present heartbeat in the Notts County midfield.
Palmer's strengths include his ability to quickly control, hold up, and work the ball into spaces that benefit the other players around him. He has a keen eye for a pass, but it's his smart decision-making that keeps him ahead of the game. He can drop back, work to win the ball back, and get it forward. He also offers support to players like John Bostock and Kyle Cameron, giving them a chance to move into space themselves.

Palmer isn't like any other player on the team. Notts County could really do with another player of similar qualities. John Bostock is more of a physical presence, happy to get stuck in and take the sting out of games. Frank Vincent is more attacking-minded and much better going forward than he is defending. Jim O'Brien comes close with his ability to move into channels, defend and get forward, but his passing play isn't quite the same as Palmer's.
There's no doubt that Notts County is lucky to have Palmer on their team. He would easily fit into a League One side and still stand out. He's a player that Notts County should shape their team around and so far, Luke Williams has done extremely well to play to Palmer's strengths. Having Palmer and Bostock means quicker players on the flanks can make use of their ability to set the tempo. This suits players like Jodi Jones, Adam Chicksen, and Aaron Nemane who can pick up Palmer's passes and allow him to move into space.
Additionally, having Palmer on the field frees up someone else to exploit other players like Ruben Rodrigues who may be being marked by additional defenders. This means that Palmer is always available in theory to pick up the ball.
Palmer has given Williams' Notts County more of a dynamic midfielder role. He can link back with the defence to absorb some pressure, retain the ball and move it around well patiently and calmly, or he can incorporate himself into the attack - find space at the edge of opposition's penalty box and put a carefully timed ball in behind for Nemane or come out wider to assist with crossing the ball if needed.
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Palmer's exceptional presence has been the engine in Luke Williams' side. While other players may offer goals or a faster turn of pace, Palmer is that reliable player who very rarely puts a foot wrong.
His style complements Notts County as the moment he receives the ball you can see he's 2–3 steps ahead of the game. You can see he's a quality midfielder unlike any other and his calm demeanour means that opposition players very rarely can provoke a reaction from him.
While I don't foresee his position being under threat in League Two he might start attracting interest from other clubs. It's unlikely to affect his performances, but there may come a time when his inability to score might hinder this possibility. It's a blessing in disguise while being completely unnecessary part of his game as he does provide the ability to be one of the main players for assists.
I could see his role in the future being more focused on being a leader on the pitch passing down his knowledge despite still being in the prime of his career. He may also get to wear the captain's armband, all things depending on and if he does become a player Notts County builds their future around there's a possibility that he will outlast some of the most recent long-term servants in club history.
In just a few short years since arriving at Meadow Lane Palmer has already started to carve out a long-term legacy while earning respect from devoted fans. Matt Palmer's take isn't that of an underdog but an exceptional talent that realised that the club was building something special upon signing for the Magpies. I believe Palmer knew just how important his role would be at Meadow Lane and while nobody could foreshadow arrival of 42 goal per season striker Macaulay Langstaff I do believe Palmer acknowledged the club's desire to recruit players on up and his ability to graft has allowed him settle in as if he has always been in midfield of Notts County. It's hard to see how a club could sign a similar player, although we all dream team Matt Palmers don't we?
Notts County fans, what are your thoughts on the recently released retained list? Share your opinions with us!
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PON_News
Notts County has confirmed their retained list following the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. Four players will be leaving the club, while seven have been offered the chance to stay alongside the 14 who remain under contract.
Head coach Luke Williams expressed his sadness at saying goodbye to players Ed Francis, Frank Vincent and Kairo Mitchell. He praised their contributions to the team and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Williams also expressed his delight at offering new contracts to experienced campaigners Sam Slocombe, Connell Rawlinson and Jim O’Brien. He praised their leadership qualities and contributions to the team.
The club is also hoping to keep Kyle Cameron, Aaron Nemane, Ruben Rodrigues and Jodi Jones. Williams announced that the club's objective is to keep a group of players who have endured together the challenges and share a mutual understanding of the standards for representing Notts County.
Williams also mentioned that work has already begun on recruitment for the next season. He stated that he will be involved in the process but that the final decision on any new player will not rest solely with him.
The head coach also praised the office staff for their continued hard work and dedication to driving the club forward. He expressed his ambition to make 2023-24 another brilliant campaign for Notts County.
Here is a list of retained players, players offered contracts, those released and loans that ended:
Under contract:
Tiernan Brooks
Aden Baldwin
Lucien Mahovo
Geraldo Bajrami
Adam Chicksen
Richard Brindley
Tobi Adebayo-Rowling
John Bostock
Matt Palmer
Luther Munakandafa
Sam Austin
Junior Morias
Cedwyn Scott
Macaulay Langstaff
Offered new contract:
Sam Slocombe
Kyle Cameron
Connell Rawlinson
Aaron Nemane
Jim O’Brien
Ruben Rodrigues

Loan players offered permanent contract:
Jodi Jones
Released:
Ed Francis
Frank Vincent
Kairo Mitchell
Loan deals expiring:
Archie Mair
Be sure to check out the PON gaffers feature on Notts County’s triumphant return to the Football League and the club’s transformation.
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PON_News
Notts County match day vlogger ARLukomski was there to capture the Magpies’ triumphant return to the Football League at the playoff final at Wembley. After four years in exile, following their relegation from League Two in the 2018/19 season, the Magpies were back.
The match was an emotional rollercoaster for both teams and their supporters. Notts County demonstrated remarkable tenacity as they twice came from behind against Chesterfield. However, it was Cedwyn Scott who ultimately emerged as the hero of the day, scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
This victory marks the beginning of a new chapter for Notts County as they return to the Football League with renewed vigour and determination. The Magpies have demonstrated that they have the talent and resilience to compete at this level, and their supporters will be eagerly looking forward to what the future holds for their team.
In an interview with the Pride of Nottingham, ARLukomski (also known as Declan) stated: "A feeling of shock and happiness together. It was the first time I witnessed a promotion, so it was quite incredible. I was shocked that it happened. Finally." He stated when asked about how he felt seeing Cedwyn Scott score his penalty to win Notts County Promotion.
"Electric. It was tense when we thought hope was lost and the clock was ticking down. 
"However, there was pure elation and euphoria when John Bostock, then Ruben Rodrigues, then Archie Mair, and finally Cedwyn Scott gave us the ending we wanted." He added.
When asked what his favourite moment from the match was, Declan replied: "It sounds easy, but Cedwyn’s penalty was my favourite moment. 
"My favourite player completed his redemption arc to give me one of the best moments of my life. I’ve had tough times in life, but for one moment, everything was perfect. We did it."
ARLukomski’s vlog captured the excitement and emotion of this historic moment, providing a lasting record of this triumphant return to the Football League.
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PON_News
Notts County owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz have released a statement expressing their pride in the club's recent success and promotion to League Two. 
In their statement, they offer their commiserations to Chesterfield, and thank them for their gracious messages of congratulations. 
They also praise the team for their mental and physical fortitude displayed in the semi and final, stating that "their will to win was evident" and that they "got what they deserved for such an amazing, record-breaking season."
Christopher and Alexander Reedtz shared their thoughts via the club’s official website: "Their will to win was evident, 
"we’re so pleased that, in the end, they, along with Luke Williams and his staff, got what they deserved for such an amazing, record-breaking season.
"To witness the players lift the trophy and to join them in their celebrations in front of our 22,500 supporters, who we wholeheartedly thank for battling the travel disruption, it was a dream come true and has only made us more determined to bring future successes to the club."
The owners also reflect on the emotional moment of seeing Jason Turner’s flag on display and announce that the boardroom will be renamed in his honour from the start of the 2023-24 campaign. 
"It was incredibly emotional to see Jason Turner’s flag on display, along with his photo being held by the players on the pitch. 
"We know this meant a lot to his parents, Jen and David, who were there with us and delighted with the outcome of the match."
They express their gratitude towards the club's staff for their hard work and mention that season ticket sales have been very strong. The club is also undergoing renovations on the Meadow Lane playing surface and installing a new state-of-the-art PA system.
"Renovations on the Meadow Lane playing surface are already underway, and we’re pleased to confirm that work has begun on installing a new state-of-the-art PA system. 
"The club has also acquired new equipment to maximise functionality of our scoreboards, so fans can expect a greatly-improved matchday experience next season.
"Supporters will, of course, be keen to know details of which players will still be with us when the new campaign comes around.
"The club is going through the necessary processes as we speak and fans can expect an update before the end of the week."
In terms of player recruitment, the owners assure fans that they had been planning for life in League Two long before promotion was secured and that work has begun on building a squad that will compete at the top end of the division. 
They also mention that several key figures from this season’s squad are out of contract but that they are doing everything they can to maintain a strong nucleus of a side that has achieved so much.
The owners conclude by expressing their excitement for the future and wishing their supporters a wonderful, relaxing summer.
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PON_News
According to Luke Williams, Notts County's head coach, sharing their promotion back to the Football League with their fans has been an incredibly meaningful experience. It's clear that this achievement holds a special place in the hearts of everyone involved with the team. He is confident that Notts County will be able to hold their own in League Two next season.
Notts County had an impressive run in the National League, amassing a total of 107 points and finishing just behind Wrexham.
Notts County demonstrated outstanding form in the National League, and even so, they had to endure an incredibly challenging play-off campaign to guarantee their place in the fourth tier of English football.
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Luke Williams said he thought Wrexham "would be a very comfortable League Two outfit".
"We went toe-to-toe with them, so we have reason to be confident," he added.
"We look at the example of Stockport, who were a terrific team in the National League, and have made a brilliant campaign [in League Two this season]. That's given us confidence because we feel we've been an impressive team at this level.
"But nothing is ever as simple as that, and we will have to work extremely hard and take nothing for granted and prepare for something that's going to be very, very challenging."
Notts County’s return to the Football League after four years away was met with jubilant scenes at Wembley on Saturday. The celebrations continued as Williams rode a scooter while his players mingled with fans in Nottingham on Sunday night.
Williams described the experience as “special”. He also stated that the council’s inability to fund a celebratory event to mark the promotion due to their financial position is not an issue.
"This is a club where the supporters want to be able to connect with the club after maybe a period of time where there was a disconnect," Williams said. 
"And I don't think there is a much better way to connect than to stand on a table and sing with the manager and the players.
"What is more special than walking round with the season-ticket holders and singing and drinking and celebrating with them? What could possibly be better?
"For us to be on the top of a bus or a balcony would be lovely, but you can't sing the same when you're not holding on to each other. This was something I'll never, ever forget.
"I cannot think of anything more rewarding than spending time and moments with the special people who come to the games and are the real fabric of the club. I cannot think of anything more rewarding than to share time and moments with them.
"To go into a really beautiful city with history and feel like you belong because people are so warm is an incredible feeling.
"I had an incredible voice note from Steve Cooper [Nottingham Forest boss], which gave me goosebumps. Things like that make me feel even more bonded with this incredible city. It's a great place."
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Chris
Notts County’s victory over Chesterfield at Wembley was a special moment for fans of the club. Although they began the game feeling very anxious and struggled to handle Chesterfield, who was a fast and aggressive opponent, the team managed to keep the score at 1-0 and gradually gained momentum.
Luke Williams made the right call taking off Adam Chicksen, who didn’t have the best of games. Jodi Jones proved to be more effective and switching him from the left to the right gave the team more edge going forward. Chesterfield faced a dilemma when they had to assign a new player to mark Aaron Nemane, consequently granting Jodi Jones a valuable window of opportunity to exert his influence on the game.
It was crucial that Notts didn't lose their spirit and determination. This helped them stay in the game and remain focused on their goal. This shows that they are a strong and resilient team, and their efforts should be applauded. Notts' tenacity was a key factor in their success. John Bostock stood near the centre of the pitch throwing his arms up as if to say to the lads, ‘come on, we’ve got this - don’t let your heads drop’. This proved to be something that allowed the Magpies to stay in the game.
During the extra time period, Notts exhibited superior performance compared to Chesterfield. The game could have gone either way still, but the better chances came to Notts who kept knocking on the door and forced Chesterfield to defend. In the 80th minute, it was clear that Chesterfield players were becoming exhausted, leaving them vulnerable to the attacks of Jodi Jones and Aaron Nemane. It was inevitable that running at them would lead to trouble.

One player who really found himself during the game was Aaron Nemane. He played outstandingly, taking on Chesterfield despite little support and in turn taking the pressure off the rest of the squad. John Bostock’s strong presence in midfield also made it harder for The Spireites to bully the midfield. His ability to stand up, win the ball back and use his strength to hold play helped to bring other players up to speed and reduce their nervousness.
Matt Palmer also showed his class by completing passes and moving into areas where he could creatively get the team into creative pockets. His passing, especially through the lines, linked up well with Aaron Nemane and Jodi Jones once he came on.
It was truly heart-warming to witness the players' joyous reaction upon seeing their club earn a promotion. Equally, pleasing was hearing Luke Williams express his gratitude towards everyone who had contributed towards the team's success leading up to the game. Overall, it was a delightful experience that left a lasting impact. From Tom Weal with preparing the keepers, to giving advice on the players when it came to practising taking penalties. Williams spoke highly of how he turned the focus from off himself to former managers who he credited for starting the journey. It was just a sign of class from the gaffer when he spoke so freely about others with his warm smile.
The club’s return to the Football League is a significant achievement and one that brings a sense of pride and belonging to fans. Many feared for the future of the Magpies following their relegation in 2018/2019, but thanks to the contributions made by Christoffer Reedtz, Alexander Reedtz, and Jason Turner, the club has flourished.
One of the biggest transformations has been in the club’s approach to recruitment. Notts County has been signing some of the best free agents from teams around them while also bringing in robust midfielders such as Matt Palmer. The hiring of Luke Williams as manager has also proven to be a master-stroke.
The future looks bright for Notts County. With a talented squad and an upcoming manager, there’s no reason why the club can’t adapt well to life in League Two and push for promotion again. Retaining key players and adding further quality will be important in achieving this goal.
Don’t forget to browse the Faces of PON’s gallery for all the best shots from Notts County’s victory over Chesterfield at Wembley!
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PON_News
On the day of the playoff final against Chesterfield, Notts County fans filled the stands at Wembley Stadium, singing songs and cheering on their team. Among them was Chris Buckley, owner of the independent fan site Pride of Nottingham, who captured the emotions of the fans in his Faces of PON fan gallery.
The atmosphere was electric, with fans feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as they watched their team compete for victory. Despite some quiet and cagey moments, it was always great to see Notts fill areas of stadiums and sing various songs, such as “I had a wheelbarrow.”
When Notts won on penalties after the game ended 2-2 in regular time, the reactions were mixed. Some fans couldn’t watch, while young fans cried with excitement and nerves at the same time.
Chris Buckley shared some memorable encounters and reactions from the day: “At a service station I bumped into some Forest fans, who I wished well with their game against Chelsea. The Forest fan turned around and said, ‘Yes you too. You better go up! After hitting what 107 points and leading the season as long as you did. Notts deserves to go up, mind you, better had because I have you on my bet and I will be buggered if you lose.’”
He also reflected on the Faces of PON gallery: “It was great seeing Notts County fans in spirit, hearing a good old ‘You Pies!’ which is something we need to keep as a tradition when seeing Magpie fans.”
One of the most memorable moments captured in the Faces of PON gallery was young Harry, who Pride of Nottingham first snapped as a young baby making his first trip to Wembley with his parents Jade Miller and Jeremy Putman.
After the game, there were also notable reactions from players and team officials. Chris Buckley observed that Aden Baldwin was struggling with cramp and couldn’t walk. 
Jim O’Brien came along and tried to help before determining that it would be easier to lift Aden and throw him over his shoulders. He carried him like a fireman to the promotion celebrations and to collect his medal. 
Jodi Jones also went to each section of the Notts County fans wrapped in a flag and clapping to thank them for their amazing support.
The Faces of PON fan gallery is a testament to the passion and dedication of Notts County fans. Thanks to Chris Buckley’s photography, these moments will be remembered for years to come.
Have your say inside the Pride of Nottingham match report as Notts County returns to the Football League.
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PON_News
Notts County reclaimed their status as the ‘world’s oldest football league club’ after beating Chesterfield on penalties in an astonishing National League promotion final at Wembley. 
Substitute goalkeeper Archie Mair saved spot-kicks from Darren Oldaker and Jeff King before Cedwyn Scott sealed a dramatic 4-3 shoot-out triumph. Victory for the 161-year-old Magpies ended their four-year non-league exile while defeat consigned Chesterfield to a sixth season in the National League.
Chesterfield took the lead early on when Andrew Dallas put them ahead from the spot after a calamitous start from Notts goalkeeper Sam Slocombe. 
Notts veteran John Bostock caught Chesterfield goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons out with a set-piece that skipped in at the near post to level the score. 
Armando Dobra restored Chesterfield’s lead in the first period of extra time, but Ruben Rodrigues bounced a volley off the turf and over Fitzsimons to level at 2-2 in the second half of extra time, ensuring the showdown would be decided from the spot.
After four years and three failed play-off attempts, Notts finally secured their English Football League (EFL) return at the end of a record-breaking season. 
Luke Williams’ side were pipped for automatic promotion and the title by Hollywood-funded Wrexham, who topped the table with an all-time high 111 points. The 107 points the Magpies collected to finish second would have got them straight up as champions in every other season before this one.
Chesterfield finished one spot below Notts in the table, but the gap between the two was 23 points. They pushed Notts to their limits at Wembley in an incredible energy-sapping game. 
On-loan keeper Mair played an instrumental role off the bench with his penalty saves and Scott kept his cool to secure victory.
Have your say inside the Pride of Nottingham match report as Notts County returns to the Football League.
Take a look at the site’s activity and get involved with the Notts County fan community.
PON_News
The Pride of Nottingham awards have been finalised. All the comments and votes across all of our social media have been counted, and each poll has been tallied to enable us to narrow down one of the hardest selections for us today.
On the back of a truly amazing season, with many joyful memories made, plenty of goals and wins, it was always going to be action-packed! The club has recruited extremely well, bringing excellent new additions to the squad such as Sam Austin, Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Jones to name a few.
With a squad that was already capable of finishing within the playoffs, who could ever imagine that Notts would enjoy most of the season sitting at the top of the National League in a title race with Wrexham? It’s been a truly remarkable season.
As we finalise the Pride of Nottingham awards, let’s remind ourselves to go to Wembley tomorrow and make the most of another exciting moment in our beloved club’s history!
Pride of Nottingham's Member of the Year:
The Pride of Nottingham is grateful to have a community full of members. These members not only help run an independent site, but also drive much of the reason why fans join. That is the reason is the discussions.
Having a solid talking point requires effort and every member always tries their best. The Pride of Nottingham encourages readers to get involved.
In the meantime, let’s congratulate @Piethagoram on being voted as the Pride of Nottingham Fan of the Year. This accolade is truly deserved by such a hard-working member.
Next up! Away Game of the Season:
Choosing the Away Game of the Season is no easy task, but the fans have spoken and cast their votes for the game they believe stands out above the rest. In a season where Notts County has broken records and finished 2nd in the National League, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to Wrexham, there have been many memorable moments to choose from.
Winner: Chesterfield vs. Notts County [Final Score 1-2 on 11/02/2023]
Signing of the Season:
Macaulay Langstaff has been chosen as the Pride of Nottingham's Signing of the Season because he broke records by scoring 42 goals in a single season. He has been a talisman up front for the Magpies and has been ever-present in our promotion push back to the Football League.
Winner: Macaulay Langstaff!
Next up! Goal of the Season:
With a perfectly placed free-kick which sent the away end at Wrexham into raptures, in a season where 107 goals had been scored. It was always going to prove to be difficult to name which goal truly deserves to be named as the Goal of the Season, however Notts fans took to voting and decided that this is one.
Fancy putting a free-kick in the back of the net at Wembley, John? That would be great tomorrow! 
Winner: John Bostock Free-Kick against Wrexham.
And finally, the Pride of Nottingham's Player of the Season:
Since joining Notts County as a free agent in 2021, Matt Palmer has shown himself to be an exceptional midfield powerhouse, always putting in the hard work and determination required to succeed.
As a key member of the squad, he has become an indispensable presence at the heart of the Notts County midfield. In 2022, his performances have been nothing short of outstanding, and he fully deserves to be named as the Pride of Nottingham Player of the Season.
Congratulations Matt Palmer!
A heartfelt thank you to each one of you who participated in the Pride of Nottingham awards.
Don’t miss out on the latest news and discussions - head over to the Pride of Nottingham Facebook Page and Group now!
Stay up-to-date with all things Notts County by following the Pride of Nottingham on Twitter!
PON_News
Last Sunday at Meadow Lane, Notts County made a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to beat Boreham Wood 3-2 in the National League Playoff Semi Final. The winner of this match would progress to the final and have the opportunity to secure promotion to League Two. The Magpies’ victory was secured by a brace from Aden Baldwin and a goal from Jodi Jones.
The atmosphere at Meadow Lane was electric, with vocal support from both Notts County and Boreham Wood fans. The Magpies’ had even placed a material banner reading “Come On You Pies” on the seats of every fan in the KOP to add to the occasion.
Boreham Wood took the lead in the 37th minute with a goal from Femi Ilesanmi, followed by a second from Lee Ndlovu in the 45+3rd minute. However, Notts County fought back in the second half with Aden Baldwin scoring in the 47th minute and again in the 90+7th minute. In the dying moments of added time, just before the match would have gone to penalties, Jodi Jones scored the winner for Notts County in the 120th minute.
Colin Sisson, a Notts County fan who attended the match with his family, described the atmosphere at Meadow Lane before and during the match as electric. "It felt like an event," he said. "Even when we caught the tram, with fellow Notts fans sharing nods of apprehension as we got closer to the ground." The unseasonal sunshine added to the excitement, with fans wearing their shirts and making their way to Meadow Lane together. "What an atmosphere was created by the Trent Navigation too!" Colin exclaimed. "I walked part of the way with my lads just as The Wheelbarrow Song was sung, and we all just stopped and smiled."
When asked about how the fans reacted to the 2-0 deficit, Colin shared that his eldest son cried. "To be honest, I wasn't far behind him," he admitted. "He'd witnessed us lose playoff semis against Coventry and Grimsby either side of a relegation, so the emotion was completely understandable." In the Family Stand, there was no anger, just stunned silence as Notts County had dominated a fair proportion of the match.
In Colin's opinion, there were two turning points in the match for Notts County. One was tactical: Borehamwood had been successful in pressing and crowding the middle of the pitch, meaning Notts often tried to operate out wide or in the half-spaces between the centre and flank. However, their full-backs were dogged in their job and suppressed Chicksen and Nemane quite well. The introduction of Jones and his skill against tired legs meant he got the better of wide positions, reflected in a goal and assist. Cedwyn Scott also deserves praise for his directness, which caused chaos and concern in the latter stages.
The second turning point was more unexplainable. Colin shared that he muttered silent prayers towards the memorial of Jason Turner. "I'm not religious in any way," he said. "But I simply asked that all the effort of this season - including his - should not be forgotten. And what happened next won't be forgotten for a very long time."
When asked about how fans celebrated after Notts County's victory, Colin described scenes of joy at Meadow Lane. "The emotional whiplash of Jones' goal was pretty vicious and seemed to take an age to register with me," he said. "I must've checked for an offside flag about five times before the realisation sank in that we'd somehow turned this around." Colin grabbed his coat and bag and told his kids they were going on the pitch. "We'd watched Portsmouth and Luton celebrate on Meadow Lane - it was our turn," he explained.
"The look of absolute joy on my two's faces will stay with me forever," Colin shared. "They touched the grass, sang their hearts out, and punched the sky." He was also delighted to shake hands with Luke Williams and congratulate him on playing such a significant role in making it all possible.
Looking ahead to the National League Playoff Final against Chesterfield, Colin admitted it's hard to have solid expectations when it still feels like such a dream. "But we have to be realistic too - Chesterfield pose a substantial threat," he said. Dobra and Colclough have the ability to pin Notts County's wing backs which could nullify how they like to build attacks. "So the significant battles may be won and lost in the middle of the pitch," Colin explained. However, if Palmer, Bostock, and Rodrigues rise to the occasion as they know they can, Colin remains hopeful.
Ryan Raynor, another Notts County fan who has supported the club for 14 years, shared that he can't even put into words what the club means to him. "It is the one thing at the end of every week that I look forward to: getting down to the lane with my fiancé, my brothers and my sister, and cheering on the Magpies," he said.
When Notts County fell behind 2-0, Ryan admitted that he lost his head. "I was so angry because of the manner in which the goals were conceded, especially the second," he said. He didn't think they would be able to come back, knowing Borehamwood's defensive record. "But my God, it was the best feeling when that second goal went in," he exclaimed.
Ryan described the comeback and eventual victory as massive for both the club and its fans. "A chance to get back into the EFL after the season we have had," he said. "In my opinion, we deserved to go up automatically." The roar from the fans when that second goal went in was unlike anything he had ever heard before. "It means the world to all of us," he said.
Matt Wyer, another Notts County fan who used to attend every home game and around 5 or 6 away games, shared that he now attends fewer matches due to having two young children. He usually attends matches with his dad, wife, and uncle.
When Notts County fell behind 2-0, Matt admitted that he thought the tie was over. "I said to a few people I know that we could not let Boreham Wood score 1, never mind 2, as I knew they’d sit back, and they have the best defence in the league," he said. "I was gutted."
As Notts County started their comeback, Matt shared that he knew it was possible because he had seen them play some amazing football this year. "But when we scored the first goal, I thought due to the opposition it would only be a consolation," he said. "How wrong was I!" When the second goal went in, Matt cried. "We were 50 or so seconds away from bowing out," he said.
When asked about how he celebrated Notts County's victory, Matt shared that it was all a massive blur. "I know it ended with me on the Meadow Lane pitch with everybody else who also got a bit carried away," he said. "What a win!"
Looking ahead to the National League Playoff Final against Chesterfield, Matt is quietly confident. "We have already beaten them at their place under pressure, and we have come from 2 behind at home to draw 2-2," he said. “We have the ability.” The only thing that slightly worries him is that it’s a local derby in a cup competition and anything can happen. “However, who would bet against Notts after Sunday?” he asked.
Check out all the latest articles on the Pride of Nottingham, including Ryan Reynolds attending the playoff final, Aden Baldwin’s reaction to the Boreham Wood win and Jodi Jones reflecting on one of his favourite moments in his career.
Join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion ahead of the Playoff Final against Chesterfield and share your thoughts and predictions.
PON_News
Wrexham’s co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be travelling to Wembley to support their National League rivals Notts County in the play-off final, according to the club’s captain.
Last month, the two teams played a crucial match where Wrexham, funded by Hollywood, won 3-2. Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster saved a penalty in injury time. Wrexham has since secured promotion and won the league title.
While Wrexham players have been celebrating their victory in Las Vegas, County is preparing to face Chesterfield in the final. They hope to return to the football league after being relegated in the 2018/2019 season.
Reynolds and McElhenney have praised Notts County, who finished the season with what would have been a record 107 points. Wrexham was four points ahead with 111.
Wrexham’s captain Ben Tozer revealed on TalkSport that the co-owners will fly back to the UK from the United States to support Notts County.
He said: "I know a few of lads who play for both teams, actually. I might be going to the game on Saturday. Fortunately or unfortunately we missed having to play those games (National League semi-finals) they sounded pretty epic.
"Rob who was out there with us, he took the time to stay up to watch the games. In fact, I believe him and Ryan are flying over to watch the game on Saturday. That’s something they want to honour. We are genuinely all rooting for Notts County because of the way they pushed us this season, and we think they’re the ones who deserve it."
Reynolds and McElhenney have expressed their support for Notts County quite openly. After winning promotion, Reynolds stated: "We are rooting for Notts County. We want to see them go up to League Two and face them next year. They're incredible.
"I have such enormous respect for everything they've built and everything that they've done, and it's just insane for me that only one goes up automatically.
"It's something Rob and I feel quite strongly about."
Don't miss out on this opportunity to relive the excitement of Notts County's playoff win. Head over to the Pride of Nottingham Facebook page or website to see the Faces of PON gallery today!
And don't forget to share it with your friends and get involved with the Pride of Nottingham community across social media and via our website.

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Pride of Nottingham

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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