Club History
Full name: Notts County Football Club
Nickname: The Magpies
Short name: Notts
Founded: 1862 (traditional); 25 November 1862; 163 years ago (disputed)[a]; 7 December 1864; 161 years ago (formal)
Ground: Meadow Lane
Capacity: 19,841
Owner(s): Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz
ChairmanL: Christoffer Reedtz
Head coach: Martin Paterson
League: EFL League Two
2023-24: EFL League Two, 14th of 24
Notts County Football Club is one of the most historically significant clubs in world football. Founded in 1862 (officially organised in 1864), it is recognised as the oldest professional association football club in the world.
From its earliest days in Nottingham, Notts County helped shape the modern game, playing matches before formal rules were fully standardised and well before the Football Association was established. In 1888, the club became one of the 12 founding members of The Football League, taking part in the world’s first organised league competition.
Nicknamed “The Magpies” for their distinctive black-and-white striped shirts (a kit that later inspired Italian giants Juventus in 1903), County quickly became a respected side in early English football.
The club’s greatest achievement came in 1894, when Notts County won the FA Cup — their only major trophy — beating Bolton Wanderers 4-1 in the final at Goodison Park. In league play, their highest finishes were third place in the top division in 1890–91 and 1900–01.
Over the next century, County experienced the ups and downs typical of many historic clubs. They moved between divisions frequently — with 14 promotions and 17 relegations, and even spent time outside the Football League when they were relegated to the National League in 2019. Under new ownership and strong form, they returned to the EFL League Two in 2023.
Notts County have played at Meadow Lane since 1910, following a series of earlier venues including Trent Bridge, and remain a beloved institution in Nottingham with a passionate fanbase.
Despite not having top-flight success since the early 1990s — their last season in the top division was 1991–92 — County’s heritage as pioneers of the professional game and founders of league football endures.