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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Every Notts County record broken in special National League campaign

Notts County are just one game away from a return to the football league after a four-year absence, but many will remember this incredible season, and so will the record books.

In Luke Williams' first season in charge of the Magpies, records have tumbled and the history books rewritten as they battled it out with Wrexham at the top of the table for that coveted one automatic place.

Ahead of their trip to Wembley, with the help of Club Historian, Michael Chappell, we take a look at all of the records the Magpies have broken this season.

READ MORE: Aden Baldwin 'lost for words' trying to explain Notts County equaliser in play-off showdown

READ MORE: Never the easy way - talking points from County's play-off semi-final

Starting with the most wins from 46 games (32), with their final league victory coming away at Maidstone in the final away game of the season, equalling the most away wins in a league season (15), with the previous record coming in the 1997/98 division three season.

In a relentless season challenging for the title with eventual champions Wrexham, Notts were the top scorers in the National League, the most goals from 46 games (117) their previous record 107 in the 1959/60 season - while only tasting defeat three times to Dorking Wanderers, Dagenham and Redbridge and Wrexham - the fewest defeats from 46 games (3), their previous record standing at just five in the 1997/98 Division Three season.

A record points tally saw Williams' said obtain saw them enter triple digits, breaking the most points in a 46-game season (107), their previous record once again came in the 1997/98 Division Three season under now Premier League boss, Sam Allardyce, achieving 99 points.

Defeat at Meadowbank Park against Marc White's side back in September was Williams' first since arriving at the club in the summer, and in response masterminded an remarkable run that spanned 25-games, the best ever unbeaten run of league games (25), bettering a 93-year-year record that stood at 19 games.

The top scorers in the division along with the second best defence also managed the best ever goal difference in a league season (+75), beating their previous record by 10, also managing to equal the least home goals conceded (12) as Meadow Lane became a fortress in this special campaign.

But one huge improvement came on the road, with Notts producing fine victories at grounds they normally struggle at including Eastleigh, Torquay, and Yeovil, taking 51 points away from home compared to 18 more than last term under Ian Burchnall - managing to score the most away goals (63) from 23 games, bettering their previous total of 41 from the 1959/60 season.

But along with team achievements, summer signing Macaulay Langstaff enjoyed a quite remarkable first campaign at Meadow Lane, scoring the most goals in a season by a Notts player (42 / 0.98 goals per game), bettering Tom Keetley's record of 39 goals in 34 appearances, scoring the most goals in a National League season (42), while also managing to break the fifth tier record for most goals in a season (42), held by Paul Culpin of Nuneaton.

His performances were rewarded with three Player of the Month awards from the National League, becoming the first player to win back-to-back awards, and the first to win three in a league season.

Another player who enjoyed a fantastic season in front of goal was Adam Chicksen, scoring 11 times in all competitions, equalling Ray O'Brien's record of the most goals by a wing/full-back (10) - bettering his total goals from the entirety of his professional career in one season.

While record were tumbling off the pitch, they were also falling off of it, with supporters flocking in their thousands to witness first hand one of the most remarkable Magpies seasons to date.

In line with their 'Football for a Fiver' incentive, the Magpies broke their own record of the highest ever National League attendance (16,511) in their 0-0 draw with Yeovil Town, while also achieving their highest aggregate home attendance (190,980) since the 1993/94 Meadow Lane redevelopment (191958), and second highest since their 1991/92 top flight campaign (233835).

It was also their highest average National League home attendance (8304), since the 1993/94 Meadow Lane redevelopment (8346), and the second highest since the 1991/92 top flight campaign (11135). Their own National League record was only bettered by Wrexham who set a new average National League attendance record of 9975 this season.

With Saturday's play-off final getting ever closer, Notts will be looking to mark this special season with a return to the football league - the only record they may not want to be associated with is the most National League points (107) that failed to earn promotion back to the Football League - but all will be forgotten if they manage to navigate their way through the play-offs that have proved so cruel in recent seasons.

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