NOTTS LANDING

EMOTIONALLY-SPENT NOTTS COUNTY FAN IAN KIRKE GIVES US HIS TAKE ON THEIR RETURN TO THE PROMISED LAND OF THE EFL

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BEING a Notts County fan since I was a kid has had its fair share of stresses. Some may say that picking the

black and white army over our noisy red neighbours across the River Trent (with arguably a slightly bigger trophy room) is where it all started.

My decision was made, aged ten, when my dad took me to my first game so cut me some slack!

As if to edify this notion, in 2007 The Telegraph revealed that Notts were the most stressful team to support; and even though I have physically strayed from my city of birth, the emotional ties have remained strong.

Being a season ticket holder facing a five-hour - or more - return journey for each home game surely qualifies me as insane.

I counter this claim by stating the obvious – this club is part of my roots. My heritage. My family (at birth my two kids were enrolled as junior Magpies). My losses (I miss my dad). It’s part of my DNA.

This fifth-tier title race was akin to a classic whodunnit. There were twists and turns aplenty before FC Hollywood (aka Wrexham AFC – co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney) deservedly took the crown with a title-winning tally of 111 points, four ahead of Notts.