Notts County says an event to celebrate its return to the English Football League is now "not feasible" as the city council apologises for not hosting one immediately after their success. After attracting criticism last month for ruling out any event for the Magpies, Nottingham City Council later said it was in "positive" talks with the club about hosting something before the start of the next season.
But the club has now told the authority this will not be "feasible" as they will be focused on getting ready for their upcoming fixtures, with the city council leader now admitting that they "got it wrong." A spokesperson from Notts County FC 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."
The club was promoted back into the EFL following a nail-biting play-off final at Wembley which saw them battle back from a goal down to beat Chesterfield on penalties. A large banner celebrating the moment was displayed on Nottingham's Council House and a congratulations message was also featured on the Victoria Centre.
Are you worried about the number of empty shops in Nottingham city centre? Let us know here.
But after the council said no other official event would be held, former club owner Alan Hardy and Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith were among those who said they would pay for an event themselves. The council originally said it could not host an event due to "increased pressures" on its finances.
The authority then said a general pre-season one gave it more time to "look again at funding options." But on the latest development, Nottingham City Council Leader, Councillor David Mellen, said: "We fully understand the club's position on this and while we would have loved to stage this celebratory event next month, it's obviously a priority for Notts County to be fully ready for their first season back in the English Football League.
"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. It in no way diminishes how proud we are of them in securing a return back to where they belong."
The event being planned would have involved an open day in the Old Market Square featuring football activities and would have given the club's players and officials a chance to meet with fans. There would also have been a small private reception for the club in the Council House.
The organisation of the Notts County event is in contrast to celebrations that were held after Nottingham Forest's Premier League promotion last year, when a large event was held in the Old Market Square immediately afterwards. A Notts County spokesperson added: "We look forward to welcoming our supporters back to Meadow Lane for our exciting home pre-season friendlies against Stoke City and Nottingham Forest, which we're sure will help build further anticipation for the exciting campaign ahead."
