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. Also, don’t forget to visit the Pride of Nottingham web store for prints, t-shirts and more!

WEMBLEY GOPRO | RUBEN'S CELEBRATIONS

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. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement - subscribe to ARLukomski’s YouTube channel for all the latest Notts County updates! And for even more behind-the-scenes content, be sure to follow ARLukomski on Twitter. Show your support for this talented vlogger and dedicated Notts County fan!

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. Get involved with Pride of Nottingham and join the conversation! Our “Topic Feed” is a great way to respond to discussions. Have a read of our latest articles and don’t forget to drop a comment! We’d love to hear your thoughts.

PLAY-OFFS UNCOVERED | THE WEMBLEY FINAL

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." Register on the Pride of Nottingham, a free and independent site that relies on fan engagement to keep the community thriving. Don’t forget to browse the “All Activity” page on the Pride of Nottingham to stay up-to-date with the latest news and discussions.

THE PROMOTION VIDEO | FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING

GOALS + PENALTY SHOOTOUT | NOTTS COUNTY v CHESTERFIELD

BENCH CAM | WEMBLEY EQUALISERS

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. Take a look at the site’s activity and get involved with the Notts County fan community.

COMMENTARY CAM | DRAMA IN THE WEMBLEY PRESS BOX

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.

WEMBLEY WINNERS | A DAY TO REMEMBER

POST-MATCH | WEMBLEY WIN | ARCHIE MAIR

POST-MATCH | WEMBLEY WIN | LUKE WILLIAMS

POST-MATCH | WEMBLEY WIN | CEDWYN SCOTT AND MACAULAY LANGSTAFF

LIVE | WEMBLEY PREVIEW WITH LUKE WILLIAMS

READY FOR WEMBLEY

LIVE | WEMBLEY PREVIEW WITH LUKE WILLIAMS

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!

WEMBLEY | PRE-MATCH VISIT