Nottingham fans fill square for Notts County return
Thousands of Notts County supporters filled Old Market Square on Tuesday as the club brought the League Two Play Off trophy back to Nottingham after sealing promotion at Wembley.
The city centre reception on 26 May drew an estimated 8,000 fans, with the squad and Head Coach Martin Paterson appearing on the Council House balcony above a banner celebrating the Magpies’ move up to Sky Bet League One.
8,000 fans gather in Old Market Square
Old Market Square became the focal point for Notts County’s homecoming after the club’s 3-0 win over Salford City in the Play Off Final on bank holiday Monday, 25 May.
Supporters gathered in the square to see the players lift the trophy from the balcony of the Council House. The civic setting gave the celebration a formal city-centre stage, with the club’s promotion marked in front of fans who had followed the side through a long route back up the English football pyramid.
The event followed earlier arrangements for a Notts County promotion gathering in Old Market Square, including advice for fans heading into the city centre and wider promotion celebrations.
Promotion takes Notts County back to the third tier
Notts County’s victory over Salford City sends the club into Sky Bet League One for the first time since 2015.
That return carries weight for one of Nottingham’s oldest sporting institutions. Promotion from League Two means a higher level of opposition, larger fixtures and renewed national attention for a club whose support base remains deeply tied to the city.
The Wembley result was decisive: three goals without reply in the final, followed less than 24 hours later by a public reception in the civic heart of Nottingham. For fans who could not travel to London, the square offered a local moment to see the trophy and players together.
Civic reception held inside the Council House
Alongside the balcony appearance, a formal civic reception took place in the Council House ballroom.
The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Cheryl Barnard, and the Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Neghat Khan, attended the event with the squad and staff.
The council said the celebration was arranged to mark the club’s achievement and its connection with the city. Football homecomings of this kind are also part of Nottingham’s wider civic life, bringing supporters, local leaders and club staff into the same public space after a major sporting milestone.
City leaders praise club and supporters
Councillor Neghat Khan congratulated Notts County on securing promotion and said the moment belonged to the club and its supporters.
She said the achievement was a proud one for Nottingham and for generations of Magpies fans who had supported the team through difficult and successful periods.
Khan said Tuesday’s reception showed the passion and unity around the club, adding that football continues to bring communities together across the city.
“We look forward to seeing Notts County continue to thrive in League One and carry the spirit of Nottingham with them every step of the way.”
Source: Nottingham City Council
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This article is based on Nottingham City Council's account of the civic reception and the confirmed promotion result.
- Matched the event date and location to the council report: Old Market Square on Tuesday 26...
- Kept the attendance figure as an estimate of 8,000 supporters, as stated by the source.
- Verified the football context from the source text: Notts County beat Salford City 3-0 at...
- Used Nottingham as the factual location rather than the publisher or council name.
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- Nottingham City Council
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- Nottingham
- Updated
- 2026-05-27 17:33
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