Notts County decline ‘not feasible’ promotion celebration as city council apologises

Notts County has declined an offer of a celebration to mark their return to the English Football League.

The Magpies twice battled back from a goal down to beat Chesterfield on penalties at Wembley Stadium in May in an emphatic National League play-off final that saw Notts reclaim their title of ‘world’s oldest football league club’.

However, after County secured its return to League Two following a four-year absence, Nottingham City Council said it would not be able to host a celebration in Old Market Square due to “increased financial pressures”.

Following criticism, the authority displayed a Notts County banner that read “back in the football league” on the Council House and offered to host a pre-season celebration in July instead.

However, Notts County have now said an event “won’t be feasible” as pre-season preparations are underway.

The city council said it had planned an “open day” in Old Market Square and a small private reception for the club in the Council House.

A spokesperson for Notts County said: “While we appreciate Nottingham City Council’s cooperation in our planning of a pre-season event celebrating our return to the EFL, we have decided this will not be feasible.”

In May last year, Nottingham Forest fans took over the city centre to celebrate their promotion to the Premier League.

City council leader Cllr David Mellen said he “fully understood” the club’s position.

He added: “We accept we got it wrong by not staging an event for Notts County immediately after they secured their promotion, and we apologise again to them and their fans for that.”

The council said it is now reviewing protocols for marking and celebrating significant sporting success.