This week the world's oldest professional football club was threatened with expulsion from the league. BBC News Online spoke to the people close to Notts County about what it means to them. A fan's thoughts are scrawled on a wall near Notts County's ground |
The words "Magpies Rule OK" are scrawled on a wall across the road from Notts County's Meadow Lane stadium. The foot-high lettering speaks of a fans dedication, and vandalism, in the name of football.
But the words hide the true story of what is happening at the world's oldest league club.
For the club has been in the hands of administrators since June last year and this week the Football League warned Notts County it could be expelled if this does not change.
It came as a shock to many at Meadow Lane.
LONGEST HISTORY 1862 - Club formed 1888 - English league founder member 1894 - FA Cup winners 1910 - Move to Meadow Lane 1947 - Crowd favourite Tommy Lawton joins 1998 - Record-breaking Third Division Champions |
Now the club, a founding member of the league, is facing one of the biggest challenges in its 141-year history. Club secretary Tony Cuthbert tells BBC News Online: "The club is heavily steeped in history.
"It would be a very sad day if the club were to lose its league membership after all these years."
There is little around the ground showing off the club's proud history as the world's oldest.
A few old pictures line the boardroom and Lawton's bar - named after their favourite son Tommy Lawton.
Many more are stored in boxes - relics from an exhibition held a few years ago in the city.
Plans for a museum appear to have been shelved.
Ups and downs
The club's website gives a potted history, from its formation in 1862 and as one of the founder members of the English Football League in 1888.
The ups and downs - the Magpies have been promoted or relegated 26 times - are charted.
This week was certainly a down when Notts County was threatened with expulsion from the league. It was sign of the "lack of respect for history and tradition" says Simon Binns, a development officer with Supporters Direct, set up to encourage fans to have a bigger say in football.
"To treat Notts County as just another club is extremely disrespectful and extremely disappointing."
Mr Binns has helped fans set up a supporter's trust at Meadow Lane.
'Harsh realities'
Its launch on Friday was chaired by John Thornhill, a fourth-generation Notts County fan, whose great-grandfather watched the club in the 19th Century.
"We had to do something - the situation was approaching crisis point.
FAN'S VIEW  One thing nobody else can say is we are the oldest league club  John Thornhill, county fan |
"The only people who will be here long-term will be the supporters and it is about time supporters had a say in this football club." The administrator, Paul Finnity, is confident about a buyer being found for the club to bring it out of administration and avoid expulsion.
He says he hopes there will be a solution within a week. Some at the club agree with him.
Mr Thornhill, however, does not. He says: "There have been a lot of positive statements in the press in the last week but we have heard it all before.
"The harsh reality is until they actually have the money on the table we are no closer.
Barren patch
"And there is no formal bid on the table."
He says he can see little financial gain for anyone to buy the club, which won the FA Cup for the first and last time in 1894.
"We have won nothing ever since," he says.
"We are the most promoted and most relegated club and we have played the most games.
"Apart from that, the one thing nobody else can say is we are the oldest league club."
For the moment anyway.
One-Minute World News 
News services
Email this to a friend 
Printable version 
