Independents including Hucknall Councillor John Wilmott call for County Council to back Notts County promotion party

The Independent Alliance opposition group on Nottinghamshire County Council have called for the County Council to back a celebration event to mark Notts County's promotion back to the Football League. 

The Magpies beat Chesterfield on penalties at Wembley Stadium last Saturday (13 May) after twice coming from behind, to seal their return to League Two after a four-year absence.

The subject of a celebration has been controversial after Nottingham City Council initially said they couldn't afford to finance one. Now, after a public backlash, they appear to be backtracking with plans for a summer event to mark the achievement. 

Councillor Francis Purdue-Horan, a member of the Independent Alliance has written to Nottinghamshire County Council's Chief Executive Adrian Smith formally stating that the Council should financially support any event and provide staffing. His call has been backed by lifelong Notts County season ticket holder and Hucknall councillor John Wilmott. 

In an email to Mr Smith, on behalf of the Independent Alliance he has put in a formal request that the County Council, "…make a financial contribution to any event to ensure it is the best it can possibly be." He has also called for the Nottinghamshire County Council's events team and other staff to offer their help and assistance to any celebration.

Francis, a County Councillor for Bingham East said: "The fact that the world's oldest professional football club has just been promoted back to the Football League is a cause of celebration. It is our belief that this needs to happen sooner rather than later before fans go off on their summer holidays. It is only right that fans have the chance to celebrate.

"It is our view that the County Council should pick up some of the cost and offer staffing and expertise to any event. There are tens of thousands of Notts County fans who live across our County and the County Council should pick up part of the bill to ensure this historic event is the best it can possibly be. Any event should be made up of people who actively contributed to the success of Notts County."

Councillor John Wilmott, County Councillor for Hucknall North said: "Being a fanatical Notts County fan all my life has been a challenge. This is especially true in recent years but my 11-hour road trip for the Playoff Final was worth it. It would be great to join residents and celebrate together. Many, many thousands of their fans come from across Nottinghamshire like my family who are all fans based in Hucknall. Notts County Council has a budget of over £800million a year, they should chuck in a few thousand and staff to help the City Council ensure we can all come together to celebrate our return to the Football League."