Magpies turn down offer of delayed civic reception

Nottingham City Council has admitted it “got it wrong” by not offering to host a civic reception to mark Notts County’s promotion back to the Football League last season sooner.

The council says it has been working with the Magpies towards hosting a “celebration fanzone engagement event” in July, but that the club has turned this down.

The event would have given fans and the wider public a chance to take part in an open day in the Old Market Square involving football activities, as well as for the club players and officials to engage with fans looking ahead to the coming season, said the council.

However, Notts County have now told the council that this won’t be feasible for them as they are focused on preparing for their return to the Football League.

A spokesperson from Notts County 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.

“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.”

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 council says it is now reviewing protocols for marking and celebrating significant sporting success by the city’s professional sports teams and athletes.