Excitement is building as Notts County fans prepare for a massive game at the end of a record-breaking season. Notts County will face Chesterfield at Wembley Stadium in the National League play-off final at 3.30pm on Saturday, May 13.
The Magpies booked their place at Wembley following a dramatic 3-2 turnaround over Boreham Wood last Sunday (May 7), setting up a date with the Spireites to hopefully end their four-year stay in the fifth division of English football and re-enter the EFL. The club smashed record after record during a remarkable season, shattering the 100-point barrier, but ultimately finishing second behind Wrexham.
Notts County fans, who were taking the last chance to buy from the club's shop at Meadow Lane Stadium, said they were cautiously excited about the big game. Shaun Patterson, 66, from Arnold, was donning a Notts County hat and will be travelling to Wembley. He said: "I haven't slept properly since the semi-final. There's something special about the playoffs, I cannot remember being this excited before a game ever.
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"If we do it the celebrations will be massive. It will be big for the city as Notts County is the only club in the actual city."
Neighbours Emma Piper, 40s, and Dani Geddes, 35, from Keyworth, explained they would soon be making the trip to Wembley. "It is time to get out of this league. We're more excited than nervous," Ms Piper said.
"I can't even imagine the celebrations if we win, they will be off the scale. After all the news about Wrexham It's our time to shine."
Friends Andrew Bowler, 34, and Carl Alvey, 45, who are taking the coach to Wembley, were also looking forward to the match. Mr Bowler, who had blisters on his hands from playing the drum during the semi-final and had managed to pick up a match programme from the rapidly emptying club shop, said: "I am excited - I respect Chesterfield but I am not nervous about it. It's been a fantastic season and the players and everyone else deserve it."
Mr Alvey added: "The last time we got to Wembley there were no fans there. It will be a brilliant thing for everyone if we do it."
Notts County Supporters Club are putting on six coaches to the playoff final, named after players Jim O'Brien, Matt Palmer, Macaulay Langstaff, Rúben Rodrigues, head coach Luke Williams, and late chief executive Jason Turner. Chair Iris Smith, who is making the journey herself, said: "We've broken so many records and the football has been absolutely amazing and a joy to watch. The spirit of the players and the interaction between players, the management and fans is the best it has been for decades.
"I think the majority of us are trying to stay calm, but not succeeding in a lot of cases. Everybody is so excited because it's a trip to Wembley - the majority of our fans have never been to Wembley, it is only the older generations that went to the old Wembley in the beginning of the 90s.
"There's a lot of families taking the kids and it is going to be a big day out - we are going to be happy with our team regardless but we do really, really, do want to win. The whole club, from the groundsman to the owners, deserves this win and have done all they can - it is in the hands of the gods now."
Another person eagerly awaiting kick-off was Notts County legend and all-time club top scorer Les Bradd, who had only just recovered from the club's thrilling comeback last week. "I scored a last minute winner for Notts County at Nottingham Forest back when we played in the second division and I remember that vividly, but I don't think even that compares to Sunday (the semi-final)," Mr Bradd, who scored 137 times in 398 appearances, said.
"I must say that at the end of that game I looked out over the balcony at all those people and the emotions were coming out of me like I've never experienced before. I was really nervy when we played Boreham Wood as they were a bit of a bogey team and it proved to be that way - at half time I don't think many people thought we'd get back into the game.
"I don't feel nervous this time, I'm just hoping that we are up for it, because if we are then we're a match for anybody. We've been through so many lows and I desperately want us to move up a division, I want us back in the league.
"I'll be sitting in the Royal Box at Wembley, and it's been going through my mind that I need to work out a way to get on the pitch to give Luke [Williams] the biggest hug I can if we win. I shall definitely be full of emotion if we do it."
Many Notts County fans will not be among the more than 20,000 contingent physically at the match, having to watch along from afar. Sam Ditchfield, manager at the Trent Navigation Inn, a pub popular with football fans across the city, and next door to the Meadow Lane stadium, said the venue was opening early for fans travelling to Wembley and that a huge number of people had called to ask about watching the game.
Speaking on Friday (May 12), he said: "We're expecting a really busy day tomorrow, we are opening up early for people leaving on the coach down to Wembley, serving breakfast. The phone has been non-stop all week with people confirming if we are showing the game, we're not ticketed it, so all the tables are first come first served.
"Tomorrow it's not just your die hard Notts fans, it's the wider audience in Nottingham that want them to do well. Even some Forest fans will be down to watch it, as they have an interest in the city."
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