Notts County boss Luke Williams believes the atmosphere inside Meadow Lane could be a key contributor to his sides success this season, but insists his players are key to ramping up the volume.
The Magpies have enjoyed a successful pre-season ahead of their National League opener with Maidenhead United on Saturday afternoon, remaining undefeated across their five games, including wins of Leicester City, Alfreton Town and York City.
But arguably their most impressive performance came in their 2-2 draw against Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest at Meadow Lane, with 14,041 supporters crammed inside Meadow Lane to watch the Nottingham neighbours go head to head in what was an enthralling battle on Trent side.
The former Notts County 'keeper that helped Lionesses to European Championship glory
Whilst 5929 of those were those supporting Steve Cooper's side, the Notts County boss believes the atmosphere created inside the ground on that day can be beneficial to his side throughout the National League season, but Williams was keen to reiterate that his players must do their bit to make Meadow Lane one of the most feared grounds in the league this season.
"It was a brilliant atmosphere, and that game in particular did not feel like a pre-season friendly. But, it's a two way thing, we need to give them something to shout about," explained Williams.
"The bare minimum is that the supporters see the players really trying to win the ball back and putting their body on the line, they need to see that level of intensity without the ball.
"They will love the players for that commitment to the cause, but we need to give them opportunities to cheer and to get excited when we are in and around the box as well and that can help us during the National League season."
When looking at the average attendances during the 2021/22 National League season, the Magpies were the third most attended ground by home supporters, only beaten by recently American-owned Wrexham largely through the pull of meeting their new Hollywood owners, and Stockport County, who gained promotion to League Two.
Over the course of the season, Notts' average attendance stood at 6,800, a capacity of just 31.8% inside Meadow Lane's 21,388 seater stadium. But it has been apparent once this season, that the Magpies could double their average attendance after smashing the National League record earlier in the season.
The Magpies' 2-0 victory over Solihull Moors on November 15th was seen by 12,843 fans inside Meadow Lane, smashing the record held previously by Bristol Rovers who set the record of 11,085 back in 2015.
And that home form contributed 50 points to their overall tally of 82 last season, with 15 of Notts' 24 wins coming in front of their own fans, with two of their ten defeats all season coming at home against Woking and Grimsby Town, with the Mariners also beating the Magpies in the play-offs to condemn Notts to a third season outside the English Football League.
Of the sides within the National League last season, Notts had the joint second best home record alongside Wrexham and Stockport County on 15 wins, with Halifax Town sitting top of that respective leaderboard on 17 wins at The Shay Stadium.
It is unclear as to whether the Magpies will strengthen in the days leading up to the National League opener, but whilst transfers can remain uncertain, one thing that can be assured is that Notts fans will be out in full force to support Williams and his team, and they may not know it yet, but they could be they key to a potentially memorable season.
