Notts County fans and even former owner Alan Hardy have been angered by the lack of celebrations in the city after the club's promotion. On Saturday, May 13, Notts County had to twice battle back from a goal down to beat Chesterfield on penalties at Wembley in a remarkable National League play-off final that saw the Magpies return to the English Football League after a four-year exile.
A large banner has been installed at Nottingham Council House by the City Council in celebration of Notts County's promotion and a message of congratulations displayed on the Victoria Centre ’s big screen, but there will not be any further celebrations. The City Council said it had "worked extremely hard to identify the required budget" for an event, but financial pressures unfortunately meant it was unable to organise one.
This has caused annoyance among some Notts County fans including a Nottinghamshire MP and the club's former owner Alan Hardy. In response to the news being shared on social media that no further celebrations would be held the former owner, who presided over an extremely difficult reign in which the club endured a financial crisis and was relegated, said: "Ridiculous decision. Please find out the cost BBC Nottingham as I will pay for it."
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Brendan Clarke-Smith, Conservative MP for Bassetlaw and a self-described Notts County 'fanatic', said: "Appalling. This is where mismanaging your finances and trying to political point score gets you. Does it really cost that much to hire out the ballroom and balcony for an hour and put on a few teas and cakes? [Nottingham City Council] I will pay for the damn thing myself."
On Twitter a fan said: "I've just seen the banner, should take it down, it's small and an embarrassment. We deserve a lot better."
Another added: "Not good enough, they deserve this, as a city we just don’t do anything to celebrate and support our history it’s embarrassing."
A third Notts County fan simply added "disgusting". In contrast, thousands of Nottingham Forest fans took to Old Market Square to celebrate their Premier League return in May 2022, with players and club staff appearing from the building's high balcony.
Defending the decision to not hold similar celebrations, a Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that Notts County are back where they belong in the Football League after a fantastic win against Chesterfield at Wembley on Saturday.
"Nothing would please us more than to put on a celebratory event in the Old Market Square for the club and fans to mark this momentous occasion. Unfortunately, increased pressures in our finances mean that we will not be able to organise an event.
"We have worked extremely hard to identify the required budget but unfortunately going ahead with an event will not be possible. We will light up and display a banner on the Council House in honour of Notts County’s achievement, and we have worked with Nottingham BID for a message of congratulations to be displayed on Victoria Centre's big screen.”
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