There is a real buzz about Meadow Lane this season. Not just your typical good feeling surrounding a promoted side. No, this feels different; this feels significant. 32,970 have already been through the turnstiles at Meadow Lane so far this season; that’s in just 3 league games. There is change afoot on the Black and White side of the Trent, with the success of our counterparts on the other side only further driving our own.
Gate numbers are up, dramatically. But this isn’t the old guard returning. It isn’t the ageing fan base coming back now we’re in the Football League. Long has the criticism of the Notts fan base that it is too old; that criticism can be levelled no more. There are new youthful faces wherever you turn.
You can now walk through Nottingham City Centre on a Saturday, match day or not, and be assured to see several Notts shirts. If this isn’t a sign of the changing demographic, I don’t know what is; afterall, it is the younger generation who most commonly buy shirts (although I appreciate many of us are still kids at heart!). But still; there is a clear shift here. Gone are the shirts of the ‘Big 6’ Premier League sides, or 7 if you now include Newcastle. And it’s perhaps quite ironic that it is another Black and White side that are forcing their way into the clothing culture of Nottingham’s youth; a clear sign of the health of this football club.
This isn’t an overnight sensation though; the club have been promoted before, and not experienced this level of excitement. It’s been a long term, thought out vision, which has now reached its culmination; of the first stage at least. It comes back, as it so often does, to the Reedtz brothers. They have established, and engrained, a footballing culture that extends beyond the pitch. One that has reached the terraces, one which has been a long time coming. But how exactly have they done this?
Firstly you’ve got our style. It may seem obvious, but teams that score over 100 goals don’t come around very often. Casual viewers may be forgiven for thinking this philosophy started with Luke Williams; but it in fact came 3 years prior to his appointment, when the Reedtz brothers took over. Every decision, every appointment has been a progressive one. Each has been a step in THIS direction; the decisions led to the style, which led to Luke Williams, rather than the other way around. Ian Burchnall instilled a possession belief. Luke Williams accentuated it. But these were men found by the Reedtz brothers. And while I have no doubt that this was a decision based on footballing success, I also have no doubt that at least in some small part, there was a business motivation behind it too. People want to see exciting, attacking, possession based football. And if you have a product that people want to see, gate receipts are only going to rise. It sounds obvious now, but it took years of planning to execute.
But the Reedtz brothers haven’t just established a clear footballing identity on the pitch. Many looked at the new PA system installed this summer and didn’t think much of it. But that is yet another conscious, long term decision. It just adds to the ‘big match’ feel about the place before kick off. Of course, the previous system was fine, but this new system really does catch the eye (or ear I suppose). Blasting out tunes pre match only adds to the atmosphere; it feels like a premier event, something which only encourages people to come back. It’s the subtle touches too; the volunteers who give their time to wave the flags before kick off. It might seem like a little thing, but it adds in some way to the experience. These have all been thought about, all been planned; and they’re helping retain numbers.
Let’s also be realistic; while many of the changes implemented by ourselves are to thank for our improved gate numbers, so too is the success of our neighbours. The craving for football has never been higher in the City; the feel good factor is back. But with great success comes greater demand, and of course lower availability. Much of the youth of the City are locked out of Premier League football through inability to secure a ticket. So perhaps we have become the alternative; but I’m okay with that. We’re the stylish older brother, playing at a lower level league wise perhaps, but certainly not in terms of style. Those that need their football fix fulfilling need not look far; and with the way Luke Williams has his Magpies team playing, it’s unlikely that it would be a spectators last time viewing County putting on a show.
I’m not suggesting that Notts being an alternative is a new thing; of course, fans of local sides have often come to Meadow Lane when their side is playing away. But those fans were only ever temporary; fair weather fans who may have been caught at a loose end, and given our fortunes over the last decade, ones who were perhaps not in a rush to come back. But now it feels different. The atmosphere of the stadium gives that away; these additional numbers truly care about the club. They would not make the level of noise that they do if they didn’t. So now it is fair to say that Notts are in a position to retain these fans. Once they come they are hooked; watching a side that plays attractive, attacking, possession based football, at an affordable and accessible price, is a rare thing. And the people of Nottingham, and beyond, are taking advantage.
There is a real feel good factor around Notts right now. We are riding the crest of a wave, but many might have thought that wave would have petered out by now; it actually feels like it is only the beginning. And this extends beyond Meadow Lane too. Notts have sold their initial allocation for MK Dons, meaning over 2,000 fans will be making the trip to Stadium MK. We’ve stood in crowds 10 times smaller than that in the National League; the growth is really quite incredible to see. The away support has always been loyal, loud and vocal; but now it is big in numbers too. Meadow Lane is an intimidating place to go, but we’re now going to grounds and matching them for support; no wonder our away record has been so good under Luke Williams.
This away support is another clear sign of the health of the club. It is also a clear sign of the sustainability of crowd sizes. Increased gate at home could be attributed to external factors; people looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon in the local area. But over 2,000 people travelling several hours to see Notts play; that shows people care. More and more are becoming invested. More and more are being sucked in. And more and more are falling in love with this football club. Last season we had the ‘fan day’ which saw a disappointing 0-0 draw. While I’m sure we will see the initiative again this season, I’m not sure it’s entirely needed; because every game feels like a ‘fan day’ now. People are bringing friends, who are bringing their friends, and staying for the product put in front of them; it turns out people like seeing attacking football.
Never in my lifetime have I seen the club so well loved, so well supported. Notts are becoming a big name, a stylish club, one which is fashionable to support. Whether that’s our own doing, or external forces, it doesn’t really matter. Gates are on the up, and so are Notts; long may it continue.