Notts County F.C. is the world’s oldest professional football club, founded in 1862. After four seasons in non-league football, the Magpies returned to the Football League in 2023 and sealed promotion to League One via the play-offs in June 2026, ending an 11-year exile from the third tier.

Founded: 1862 · Stadium: Meadow Lane · Capacity: 19,841 · League: EFL League One (from 2026–27) · Nickname: The Magpies · Owner: Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz

Key facts about the club are summarised in the table below.

What is the history of Notts County F.C.?

Notts County’s story begins in November 1862, when the Nottingham Guardian reported the opening of Nottingham Football Club — the earliest documented origins of what would become the world’s oldest professional football club. The club was formally organised under the name Notts Football Club at a meeting on 7 December 1864, though informal matches had been played since 1862. Their first recorded match came on 8 December 1864 at the Meadows Cricket Ground, a 0–0 draw against Trent Valley. By 1877, they had entered the FA Cup for the first time, and in 1888 they became one of the 12 founding members of the Football League.

The club’s traditional black-and-white striped kit — earning them the nickname “The Magpies” — was first adopted in 1890. That same era brought their greatest triumph: winning the FA Cup in 1894, becoming the first Second Division team to lift the trophy. Before settling at Meadow Lane in 1910, Notts County played at multiple grounds including Park Hollow, the Meadows, Beeston, the Castle Cricket Ground, and Trent Bridge. The move to Meadow Lane came after trustees at Trent Bridge refused to renew the club’s lease.

When was Notts County founded?

The traditional foundation date is 1862, as reported by the Nottingham Guardian, though the club was formally organised on 7 December 1864. Both dates appear in historical records, with most sources treating 1862 as the founding year for recognition purposes.

What are the club’s major achievements?

Notts County’s trophy cabinet centres on the 1894 FA Cup victory, a remarkable feat as the first Second Division club to win the competition. They were founding members of the Football League in 1888 and have played in each of the top five divisions of English football. Under manager Jimmy Sirrel, the club achieved three promotions across the 1970s and early 1980s, reaching the First Division in 1981. The club has experienced extensive movement through the league system — promoted at least 14–15 times and relegated 17 times in total.

Who are the current players and staff of Notts County?

The current first-team goalkeeping setup includes Milai Perott (shirt number 13), Harry Griffiths (number 21), and James Belshaw (number 31), according to the club’s official website. The outfield squad composition for the 2026–27 League One campaign continues to take shape, with transfer activity expected throughout the pre-season window. The ownership structure remains with brothers Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz, who have overseen the club’s recent resurgence.

Who is the current manager?

The managerial position for the 2026–27 season has yet to be definitively confirmed in current sources. Pre-season preparations are underway, and an official announcement regarding the management team is expected ahead of the new League One campaign.

Who are the key players?

Beyond the established goalkeepers, the squad includes players who contributed to the promotion push. Detailed squad listings for the full 2026–27 roster will be updated on the club’s official channels as the season approaches.

Where does Notts County play their home matches?

Meadow Lane has been Notts County’s home since 1910, located on Meadow Lane in Nottingham, NG2 3HJ, adjacent to the River Trent and close to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. The stadium was opened in 1910 and has undergone various capacity measurements over the years. Transfermarkt lists the total capacity as 20,229 with 19,841 seats, while safety restrictions currently limit matchday capacity to approximately 13,725. The ground is known for its traditional matchday atmosphere, with the most vociferous home support traditionally gathering in specific stands.

What is Meadow Lane’s capacity?

The listed total capacity stands at 20,229 with 19,841 seats, according to Transfermarkt. For matchday purposes, safety restrictions bring the practical capacity to around 13,725.

When was Meadow Lane opened?

Meadow Lane opened in 1910 when Notts County moved permanently from Trent Bridge. Before this, the club had played at various venues including Park Hollow, the Meadows, Beeston, Castle Cricket Ground, and Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

What is the current season status of Notts County?

Notts County competed in EFL League Two during the 2024–25 season. Following a fifth-place finish in that campaign, they entered the play-offs and emerged victorious, securing promotion to League One via the play-offs in June 2026. This ended an 11-year absence from the third tier. BBC Sport reported that the promotion restores the Nottinghamshire derby against Mansfield Town, with the rivalry resuming in League One fixtures. A club social post confirmed that fixtures for the 2026–27 Sky Bet League One season would be released at 9am on Wednesday 26 June, with opening games on 10 August.

What league are they in for 2026–27?

Notts County will compete in EFL League One for the 2026–27 season following their promotion via the play-offs. The fixtures were set to be released in late June 2026.

What are the upcoming fixtures?

Fixtures for the 2026–27 League One season were scheduled for release on 26 June 2026 at 9am, with the season opener on 10 August. The return of the Mansfield Town derby is among the standout fixtures to watch.

How can fans engage with Notts County?

The primary channels for fan engagement include the official website (www.nottscountyfc.co.uk), which lists match schedules, season tickets, and the club shop. Tickets for home matches are available through the club’s official ticket portal, with season tickets and memberships advertised for purchase. The club maintains an active presence on social media platforms including Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where match updates, transfer news, and behind-the-scenes content are shared regularly. The club shop at Meadow Lane offers merchandise including replica kits, scarves, and memorabilia.

How to buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased through the official Notts County website’s ticket portal or in person at the Meadow Lane club shop on matchdays, subject to availability.

Where to buy merchandise?

Replica kits, scarves, flags, and other club merchandise are available from the club shop at Meadow Lane or via the online store on the official website.

Notts County F.C. Timeline

The milestone table below traces the club’s key moments from its Victorian origins to the present day.

The implication: every era of ascent has been followed by a fall, and the club’s longevity owes more to resilience than sustained success.

Confirmed facts vs. Rumours

What people are saying

Well keep doing us — The Promotion Video: Back to League One.

— Notts County FC (official Facebook post, 1 June 2026)

Notts County’s promotion to League One restores their Nottinghamshire derby against Mansfield Town, with a first league meeting in the division scheduled for Saturday 31 October.

— BBC Sport (League One fixtures article)

Summary

Notts County’s promotion to League One marks a remarkable recovery from their 2019 relegation out of the Football League. The world’s oldest professional club is now building toward a third-tier return for the first time since 2015. For supporters who endured four seasons in non-league football, the Meadow Lane faithful face a clear choice: embrace the renewed competition while demanding the squad investment needed to survive in League One, or risk sliding back down the divisions sooner rather than later. The club’s next move in the transfer market will signal whether they intend to consolidate or merely survive.