Hardcover with Dust Jacket 272 pages
Notts County’s Story
From 1862 to Glory!
To open the pages of Official History, Notts County, 1862-1995, is to take a journey through the heart of English football. Tony Brown’s definitive chronicle of the world’s oldest professional football club doesn’t just recount scores and seasons; it weaves together the stories of players, supporters, and the city itself. The book begins with the club’s Victorian origins—formed in 1862, when football was little more than a muddy pastime in the parks of Nottingham. Brown’s meticulous research brings those early days alive by describing how Notts County navigated the shifting landscape of rules, rivalries, and the growth of organised league football.
The narrative moves through decades of triumphs and tribulations, from the club’s early FA Cup runs to the challenges of the post-war years and the fluctuating fortunes of the league pyramid. Particularly evocative are the team photographs, many never before published, which capture the changing faces, kits, and characters that have defined Notts County across generations. Each era is given its due: the Edwardian optimism, the struggles of the interwar years, and the glories and heartbreaks of the modern game. Brown’s prose is as precise as his statistics—every appearance, goal, and managerial change is carefully recorded, yet the writing remains accessible and engaging.
This large-format volume is an invaluable resource for any football historian or Magpies supporter. Its 272 pages are filled with rare images, player profiles, and detailed appendices, all presented in a style that reflects the club’s proud traditions. The book doesn’t shy away from the challenging times—relegations, financial crises, and near-misses are explored with honesty, highlighting the resilience that has kept Notts County alive when many older clubs have disappeared.
Throughout, there’s a sense of community and continuity: Brown invites readers to see themselves in the black-and-white stripes, to imagine cheering from the terraces at Meadow Lane, or perhaps spotting a familiar face in one of the many team photos. For families with a connection to the club, the book offers a unique chance to trace ancestors and relive shared memories. In sum, Official History, Notts County, 1862-1995 is more than just a record of matches—it’s a celebration of belonging, identity, and the enduring spirit of football in Nottingham.
ROYAL MAIL 2ND CLASS
Publisher: Yore Publications (Ceased Trading)
Published: 1996
Price: £19.99
Hardcover: 272 pages
Lavishly illustrated
Postal Weight: 850g
Postal Cost: £3.35
