MX23RW : Thursday, April 23 04:23:55| >> :120:54864:54864:
May 4, 2019 at 3pm UK at The Energy Check County Ground (Swindon, Wiltshire)
Attendance: 8,676
SwindonSwindon Town
3-1
Notts County
Woolery (69'), Robinson (74', 92')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Hemmings (52' pen.)

Notts County lose status as Football League's oldest club

Notts County lose status as Football League's oldest club
© Reuters
Magpies were founded in 1862.

Notts County have been relegated from the Football League for the first time in the club's history.

The Magpies' relegation was confirmed with a 3-1 loss to Swindon on the final day of the season, Macclesfield and Sol Campbell surviving in their place.

Neal Ardley's team had to win at the County Ground to stand any chance of avoiding the drop as they went into the final day of the season in 23rd place in League Two, two points behind the Silkmen with an inferior goal difference of eight.

Notts County's players face up to relegation
Notts County's players face up to relegation (Julian Herbert/PA)

Relegation means Notts County, who have won only nine league matches all season, lose their proud status as the oldest Football League club, having been formed in 1862.

That mantle now passes across the River Trent to Nottingham Forest, who were founded in 1865. Some claim it is Stoke but even the club's own website admits "many details remain sketchy" about their formation, purported to be in 1863.

Ardley has already gone on record as saying he would like to remain in charge. He became the club's third manager of the season when he replaced Harry Kewell in November.

His future is likely to be subject to the club's potential new owners, with takeover talks ongoing at Meadow Lane. A consortium from South Africa is reported to be close to finalising a deal with current owner Alan Hardy.

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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barrow37217968392970
2Harrogate TownHarrogate37199961441766
3Notts County381712961382363
4Yeovil TownYeovil371791161441760
5Boreham WoodBoreham Wood371612955401560
6Halifax TownHalifax37177135049158
7Stockport CountyStockport391610135154-358
8Solihull MoorsSolihull3815101348371155
9Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool391413125650655
10Woking381510135055-555
11Barnet351412952421054
12Dover AthleticDover Athletic38159144949054
13Bromley381410145752552
14Sutton UnitedSutton381214124742550
15Torquay UnitedTorquay Utd36146165661-548
16Aldershot TownAldershot391210174355-1246
17Eastleigh371113134355-1246
18Dagenham & RedbridgeDag & Red371111154044-444
19Chesterfield381111165565-1044
20Wrexham371110164649-343
21Ebbsfleet391012174768-2142
22Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead38125214458-1441
23Fylde37912164460-1639
24Chorley38414203165-3426

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