:2022–23 Notts County F.C. season

A founding member of the English Football League (EFL) in 1888,{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Tony |date=1995 |title=Notts County F.C: The Official History, 1862–1995 |location=Harefield |publisher=Yore Publications |pages=16–17 |isbn=1-874427-61-5}} Notts County (nicknamed the Magpies) were relegated to non-League football for the first time in 2019.{{Efn|The term non-League refers to football played below EFL League Two.{{cite news |url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/extra-promotion-place-national-league-efl-1398708 |title=It's time for an extra promotion place to the EFL – the standard of the National League merits change |newspaper=i |access-date=30 January 2024 |date=14 January 2022 |first=Daniel |last=Storey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114075633/https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/extra-promotion-place-national-league-efl-1398708 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |url-status=live}}}}{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11750/11710517/swindon-3-1-notts-county-magpies-relegated-from-football-league |title=Swindon 3–1 Notts County: Magpies relegated from Football League |website=Sky Sports |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911161414/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11750/11710517/swindon-3-1-notts-county-magpies-relegated-from-football-league |archive-date=11 September 2023 |url-status=live}} The 2022–23 season was the club's fourth consecutive season in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system, with each of their three previous campaigns ending in defeat in the play-offs. Under the management of Neal Ardley, Notts had finished third in the 2019–20 season,{{cite web |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/34/2019-2020/2019-2020-National-League-Stats |title=2019–2020 National League Stats |website=FBRef |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816042552/https://fbref.com/en/comps/34/2019-2020/2019-2020-National-League-Stats |archive-date=16 August 2022 |url-status=live}} losing the 2020 National League play-off final 3–1 to Harrogate Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53541549 |title=Harrogate Town 3–1 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=21 September 2023 |date=2 August 2020 |first=Jay |last=Freeman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802201423/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/5354154944078295 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |url-status=live}} Ardley was dismissed during the 2020–21 season and replaced as head coach by Ian Burchnall.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56523097 |title=Ian Burchnall: Notts County appoint new boss following Neil Ardley exit |website=BBC Sport |date=25 March 2021 |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420145110/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56523097 |archive-date=20 April 2022 |url-status=live}} The team finished fifth,{{cite web |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/34/2020-2021/2020-2021-National-League-Stats |title=2020–2021 National League Stats |website=FBRef |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808083019/https://fbref.com/en/comps/34/2020-2021/2020-2021-National-League-Stats |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}} and reached the semi-finals of the play-offs, losing 4–2 in extra time at Torquay United.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57367076 |title=Torquay United 4–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=22 September 2023 |date=12 June 2021 |first=James |last=Law |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612155956/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57367076|archive-date=12 June 2021 |url-status=live}} In 2021–22, Burchnall's only full season in charge, Notts again finished fifth.{{cite web |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/34/2021-2022/2021-2022-National-League-Stats |title=2021–2022 National League Stats |website=FBRef |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808083632/https://fbref.com/en/comps/34/2021-2022/2021-2022-National-League-Stats |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}} Rúben Rodrigues gave the Magpies a 1–0 lead in their home play-off quarter-final against Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane, Nottingham. However, Grimsby found an equalising goal in the final moments of normal time, and won the match 2–1 late in extra time.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61461054 |title=Notts County 1–2 Grimsby Town |website=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2022 |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523221604/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61461054 |archive-date=23 May 2022 |url-status=live}}

On 27 May, four days after the play-off defeat to Grimsby, Burchnall departed Notts to take the role of head coach at League One side Forest Green Rovers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61562949 |title=Ian Burchnall: Forest Green Rovers name Notts County boss as head coach |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528024412/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61562949 |archive-date=28 May 2022 |url-status=live}} His assistant Michael Doyle followed four days later.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61647028 |title=Michael Doyle: Forest Green hire Notts County coach as new assistant |website=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2022 |access-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815114234/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61647028 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |url-status=live}} Several players also departed during the off-season: Dion Kelly-Evans, Alex Lacey and Tyreace Palmer were released,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-shock-after-duo-7125746 |title=Notts County shock after duo released as Magpies release retained list |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=25 May 2022 |first=Leigh |last=Curtis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525124032/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-shock-after-duo-7125746 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-status=live}} Kyle Wootton made a free transfer to Stockport County,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61752175 |title=Kyle Wootton joins Stockport County after rejecting Notts County deal |website=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2022 |access-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609180514/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61752175 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |url-status=live}} and Lewis Knight and Callum Roberts were sold for undisclosed fees to Gateshead and Aberdeen respectively.{{cite news |url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/non-league/gateshead-complete-signing-of-notts-county-striker-and-close-on-goalkeeper-loan-deal-3740408 |title=Gateshead complete signing of Notts County striker and close on goalkeeper loan deal |newspaper=Sunderland Echo |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=21 June 2022 |first=Mark |last=Carruthers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193129/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/non-league/gateshead-complete-signing-of-notts-county-striker-and-close-on-goalkeeper-loan-deal-3740408 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/4584436/aberdeen-confirm-signing-of-attacking-midfielder-callum-roberts-from-notts-county/ |title=Aberdeen confirm signing of attacking midfielder Callum Roberts from Notts County |newspaper=The Press and Journal |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=25 July 2022 |first=Ryan |last=Cryle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725230910/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/4584436/aberdeen-confirm-signing-of-attacking-midfielder-callum-roberts-from-notts-county/ |archive-date=25 July 2022 |url-status=live}} The club also agreed to terminate the contract of forward Elisha Sam.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-transfer-elisha-sam-7153735 |newspaper=Nottingham Post |title=Notts County striker departs to 'pursue opportunities elsewhere' |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=1 June 2022 |first=Matt |last=Abbot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601114409/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-transfer-elisha-sam-7153735 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |url-status=live}} There was one additional departure during the season, with Notts agreeing to terminate the contract of Joel Taylor on 13 March.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/joel-taylor-exit-explained-notts-8246314 |title=Joel Taylor exit explained as Notts County transfer plan revealed |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=25 September 2023 |date=13 March 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211083358/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/joel-taylor-exit-explained-notts-8246314 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

Several Notts players, who would make first-team appearances for the club during 2022–23, were also loaned to other clubs during the season. Frank Vincent was loaned to Aldershot Town in August, initially for one month,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/vincent-aldershot-loan-190822/ |title=Loan: Vincent to Aldershot |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=20 August 2022 |access-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820111641/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/vincent-aldershot-loan-190822/ |archive-date=20 August 2022 |url-status=live}} but then until January.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/vincent-loan-extended-260922/ |title=Vincent: Loan extended |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=26 September 2022 |access-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926231329/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/vincent-loan-extended-260922/ |archive-date=26 September 2022 |url-status=live}} In November, before his release, Taylor was loaned to Dagenham & Redbridge, originally for two months,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/joel-taylor-makes-national-league-7813976 |title=Joel Taylor makes National League loan switch ahead of Eastleigh fixture |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=27 November 2023 |date=12 November 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211083812/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/joel-taylor-makes-national-league-7813976 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} and then for one month further.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/castro-and-taylor-080123/ |title=Update: Castro & Taylor |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=9 January 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012212548/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/castro-and-taylor-080123/ |archive-date=12 October 2023 |url-status=live}} Before making his senior debut for the Magpies at Bromley in March, Tiernan Brooks spent time on loan at Hednesford Town and Boston United,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/tiernan-brooks-notts-county-debut-8222577 |title=Tiernan Brooks' Notts County debut analysed by Luke Williams amid transfer hint |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=31 December 2023 |date=7 March 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211090621/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/tiernan-brooks-notts-county-debut-8222577 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} while Kairo Mitchell was loaned to Eastleigh for the remainder of the season in February having found his playing time at Notts increasingly limited.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-confirm-striker-departure-8104556 |title=Notts County confirm striker departure amid latest transfer update |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=26 November 2023 |date=2 February 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/BTWVV6 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Ed Francis was the final player to be loaned out, moving to Gateshead until the end of the season in March.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/loan-exit-confirmed-ahead-notts-8213420 |title=Loan exit confirmed ahead of Notts County's trip to Bromley |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=26 November 2023 |date=3 March 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211091839/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/loan-exit-confirmed-ahead-notts-8213420 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

File: John Bostock (RC Lens).jpg

Burchnall was replaced as head coach by former Swindon Town manager Luke Williams, with Ryan Harley as his assistant.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61799506 |title=Luke Williams: Notts County appoint former Swindon Town manager as head coach |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=14 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614130349/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61799506 |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts County's first player signings came before Williams's arrival, with wing-back Tobi Adebayo-Rowling the first announced on 29 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-transfer-adebayo-rowling-7153350 |title=Notts County new signing makes Premier League claim after arriving at Meadow Lane |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=18 June 2023 |date=2 June 2022 |first=Matt |last=Abbott |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606005746/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-transfer-adebayo-rowling-7153350 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |url-status=live}} The Magpies added two other players to their defensive ranks during the off-season, with Aden Baldwin's signing announced on 23 June,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/aden-baldwin-notts-county-transfer-7246029 |title='You'll see' – Aden Baldwin breaks silence on Notts County transfer |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=23 June 2022 |first=Josh |last=Holland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623154830/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/aden-baldwin-notts-county-transfer-7246029 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |url-status=live}} and that of fellow centre-back Geraldo Bajrami coming the following day.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-kidderminster-austin-bajrami-7251263 |title=Notts County complete double Kidderminster Harriers raid in major statement |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=24 June 2022 |first=Josh |last=Holland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624131415/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-kidderminster-austin-bajrami-7251263 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts also made three attacking signings in the off-season, all of whom featured in the National League North's 2021–22 team of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/the-national-league-north-big-winners-are-announce-70753 |title=The National League North Big Winners Are Announced |publisher=The National League |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=18 May 2022 |first=Sam |last=Elliot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518181506/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/the-national-league-north-big-winners-are-announce-70753 |archive-date=18 May 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts paid undisclosed fees for Gateshead duo Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-transfer-macaulay-langstaff-7153798 |title=Notts County complete second signing of summer after 'incredible' season |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=18 June 2023 |date=1 June 2022 |first=Matt |last=Abbott |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601112335/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-transfer-macaulay-langstaff-7153798 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-transfer-cedwyn-scott-7234292 |title=Notts County reunite 58-goal partners in latest transfer swoop |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=31 July 2023 |date=21 June 2022 |first=Chris |last=Watson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622183843/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-transfer-cedwyn-scott-7234292 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |url-status=live}} who had scored 28 and 24 league goals respectively in the 2021–22 season,{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/macaulay-langstaff/494258/ |title=M. Langstaff: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325163341/https://uk.soccerway.com/players/macaulay-langstaff/494258/ |archive-date=25 March 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/cedwyn-scott/545179/ |title=C. Scott: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028011053/https://uk.soccerway.com/players/cedwyn-scott/545179/ |archive-date=28 October 2022 |url-status=live}} with Langstaff also winning the National League North's player of the year award. Joining them from Kidderminster Harriers was winger Sam Austin. Notts made two further permanent transfers as the 2022–23 season progressed: John Bostock, who joined the Magpies on 7 December having been without a club since departing Doncaster Rovers in the summer,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/john-bostock-pinpoints-luke-williams-7904943 |title=John Bostock pinpoints Luke Williams moment that swayed Notts County transfer |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=7 December 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211092510/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/john-bostock-pinpoints-luke-williams-7904943 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/former-doncaster-rovers-midfielder-john-bostock-in-talks-to-join-national-league-side-notts-county-3938172 |title=Former Doncaster Rovers midfielder John Bostock in talks to join National League side Notts County |newspaper=Doncaster Free Press |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=1 December 2022 |first=Steve |last=Jones |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201124730/https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/former-doncaster-rovers-midfielder-john-bostock-in-talks-to-join-national-league-side-notts-county-3938172 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |url-status=live}} and forward Junior Morias, who joined the Magpies on 15 March from Dagenham.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-complete-transfer-bolster-8254082 |title=Notts County complete transfer to bolster attacking options for National League title run-in |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=25 September 2023 |date=15 March 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211092835/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-complete-transfer-bolster-8254082 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts County brought in five players on loan during the 2022–23 season, starting with Leicester City goalkeeper Brad Young, who joined on 26 August. Intended as a season-long loan,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-countys-latest-signing-relishing-7516231 |title=Notts County's latest signing relishing National League challenge after sealing Meadow Lane loan |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=1 October 2023 |date=26 August 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211093215/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-countys-latest-signing-relishing-7516231 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} an injury forced his return to Leicester in January. In Young's place, the Magpies secured the loan of Archie Mair from Norwich City.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-announce-transfer-following-8027153 |title=Notts County announce transfer following Brad Young injury |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=1 October 2023 |date=13 January 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211093521/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-announce-transfer-following-8027153 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Midfielder Quevin Castro joined on a four-month loan from West Bromwich Albion in September.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/signing-quevin-castro-100922/ |title=Signing: Quevin Castro |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=1 October 2023 |date=12 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912083417/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/signing-quevin-castro-100922/ |archive-date=12 September 2022 |url-status=live}} Following Castro's departure, Notts secured the loan of winger Jodi Jones from Oxford United for the remainder of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/jodi-jones-relishing-national-league-8077230 |title=Jodi Jones relishing National League title challenge following Notts County transfer |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=1 October 2023 |date=26 January 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231101171500/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/jodi-jones-relishing-national-league-8077230 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |url-status=live}} The club's final loan signing was midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who joined on loan from Stockport in February. Though intended to be a loan until the end of the season,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/signing-lemonheigh-evans-230223/ |title=Signing: Lemonheigh-Evans |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=1 October 2023 |date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223143806/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/signing-lemonheigh-evans-230223/ |archive-date=23 February 2023 |url-status=live}} Lemonheigh-Evans was recalled by Stockport on 24 March.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-release-transfer-statement-8287066 |title=Notts County release transfer statement following Connor Lemonheigh-Evans departure |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=1 October 2023 |date=24 March 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211094020/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/notts-county-release-transfer-statement-8287066 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts County played a series of friendlies to prepare for the new season, defeating Basford United 5–1 in their first match.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/basford-match-report-050722/ |title=Report: Basford 1–5 Notts |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=5 July 2022 |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706014204/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/basford-match-report-050722/ |archive-date=6 July 2022 |url-status=live}} The Magpies then played a behind-closed-doors match against Leicester City at the latter's training ground on 9 July, coming from behind to win 2–1.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12649059/leicester-suffer-shock-loss-to-non-league-notts-county-pre-season-round-up |title=Leicester suffer shock loss to non-league Notts County – Pre-season round-up |website=Sky Sports |date=9 July 2022 |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710060843/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12649059/leicester-suffer-shock-loss-to-non-league-notts-county-pre-season-round-up |archive-date=10 July 2022 |url-status=live}} After a 2–0 win at Alfreton Town on 12 July,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/alfreton-match-report-120722/ |title=Report: Alfreton 0–2 Notts |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=12 July 2022 |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814154748/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/alfreton-match-report-120722/ |archive-date=14 August 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts played two 70-minute matches against Cambridge United at St Neots Town's Rowley Park on 16 July. Notts lost the first match 2–0, but won the second 3–2 through a seven-minute hat-trick from Langstaff.{{cite news |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cambridge-united-record-victory-defeat-24510189 |title=Cambridge United record victory and defeat in two pre-season friendlies against Notts County |newspaper=Cambridge News |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=16 July 2022 |first=Stephen |last=Page |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211094514/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cambridge-united-record-victory-defeat-24510189 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Following a 1–1 draw at Boston United on 20 July,{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/boston-match-report-200722/ |title=Report: Boston 1–1 Notts |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=20 July 2022 |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808054706/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/boston-match-report-200722/ |archive-date=8 August 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts County played Nottingham Forest in their only home game of pre-season. Forest, fielding a "youthful starting XI", took 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but Notts levelled twice, and the match finished 2–2.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cv2eplx49n7o |title=Forest held by Notts County |website=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2022 |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124080128/https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cv2eplx49n7o |archive-date=24 November 2023 |url-status=live}} In their final pre-season match, Notts played at fellow National League side York City, with the Magpies winning 1–0.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/york-match-report-300722/ |title=Report: York 0–1 Notts |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=30 July 2022 |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803031253/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/york-match-report-300722/ |archive-date=3 August 2022 |url-status=live}}

Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Notts County's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

Results

{{main|2022–23 National League (division)}}

The 2022–23 National League season saw 24 teams play 46 matches each: two against every other team, with one match at each club's ground. Three points were awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for defeats. At the end of the season, the top-ranked team won promotion to EFL League Two. Unlike the divisions of the EFL, where the runner-up was also guaranteed to win promotion,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64836963 |title=Premier League, Women's Super League, EFL, Scottish football: Ups, downs & European qualification |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 September 2023 |date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609071128/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64836963 |archive-date=9 June 2023 |url-status=live}} the National League runner-up entered a six-team play-off, featuring the teams finishing between second and seventh place, to determine the second promoted club.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40233762 |title=National League clubs vote in favour of six-team play-offs at AGM |website=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2017 |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615114756/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40233762 |archive-date=15 June 2017 |url-status=live}}

File:Langstaff uncropped.jpg

Notts County hosted Maidenhead United on the opening day of the season; Langstaff scored two goals on his debut in a 3–0 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62358268 |title=Notts County 3–0 Maidenhead United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809211026/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62358268 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |url-status=live}} The first away game, a week later at Boreham Wood, ended 2–2,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62445743 |title=Boreham Wood 2–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813231730/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62445743 |archive-date=13 August 2022 |url-status=live}} and was the first of three consecutive draws. Following a 1–1 draw at Gateshead,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62473548 |title=Gateshead 1–1 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821182618/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62473548 |archive-date=21 August 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts hosted Chesterfield in their second home match of the season. After falling 2–0 down in the 55th minute, Luke Williams made a double substitution in an effort to salvage something from the game, with Austin and Scott coming on in favour of Jim O'Brien and Mitchell.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62529514 |title=Notts County 2–2 Chesterfield |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821181550/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62529514 |archive-date=21 August 2022 |url-status=live}} The effects were immediate; Langstaff pulled a goal back in the 60th minute, and headed a second three minutes later from Austin's cross.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-1/national-league/428062/notts-county-2-2-chesterfield-spireites-denied-by-langstaff/ |title=Notts County 2–2 Chesterfield: Spireites denied by Langstaff |website=The Non-League Paper |access-date=2 August 2023 |date=21 August 2022 |first=Kurt |last=Bigg |url-access=subscription |archive-date=21 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821081524/https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-1/national-league/428062/notts-county-2-2-chesterfield-spireites-denied-by-langstaff/ |url-status=live}} The match finished 2–2, but Notts fell to tenth place in the league. The Magpies then won consecutive matches for the first time that season, with a 4–1 win at FC Halifax Town (which featured another brace for Langstaff) and a 1–0 home win over Solihull Moors.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62614487 |title=Halifax Town 1–4 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828072118/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62614487 |archive-date=28 August 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62628348 |title=Notts County 1–0 Solihull Moors |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 August 2023 |date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831083110/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62628348 |archive-date=31 August 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts County finished August in fifth place with twelve points from six matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20220830 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 30th August 2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130230641/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20220830 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |url-status=live}}

September began with a 5–0 away win at Dagenham in which Langstaff scored a hat-trick.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62697752 |title=Dagenham & Redbridge 0–5 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 December 2023 |date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905153051/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62697752 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts were then due to play Bromley at home on 10 September,{{cite news |url=https://www.bromleyfc.co.uk/news/first-team/notts-county-vs-bromley-selected-for-televised-coverage/ |title=Notts County vs Bromley Selected For Televised Coverage |publisher=Bromley F.C. |date=8 August 2022 |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802091234/https://www.bromleyfc.co.uk/news/first-team/notts-county-vs-bromley-selected-for-televised-coverage/ |archive-date=2 August 2023 |url-status=live}} but this match was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/statement-saturday-10-september-fixtures-72294 |title=Statement: Saturday 10 September Fixtures |publisher=The National League |access-date=2 August 2023 |date=9 September 2022 |first=Tom |last=Scott |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909104642/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/statement-saturday-10-september-fixtures-72294 |archive-date=9 September 2022 |url-status=live}} When football resumed on 13 September, the Magpies won a fourth consecutive match, this time defeating Aldershot 2–0.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62803768 |title=Notts County 2–0 Aldershot Town |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 August 2023 |date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915014653/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62803768 |archive-date=15 September 2022 |url-status=live}} The next game, played four days later at Dorking Wanderers, saw Dorking's James McShane score a hat-trick, including goals in the 90th and 95th minute, as Notts County's unbeaten start to the season was ended with a 3–1 loss.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62859849 |title=Dorking Wanderers 3–1 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 August 2023 |date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917231520/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62859849 |archive-date=17 September 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts were away again the following week, this time at York, with loanee Quevin Castro putting the Magpies 1–0 ahead after five minutes with a long-range free kick.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62937382 |title=York City 1–3 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 August 2023 |date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927034351/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62937382 |archive-date=27 September 2022 |url-status=live}} Although Fraser Kerr equalised for the home side, Langstaff restored Notts County's lead against his former club shortly before half-time, and scored a second in the second half to seal a 3–1 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/22616656.york-citys-unbeaten-run-ends-3-1-loss-notts-county/ |title=York City's unbeaten run ends with 3–1 loss to Notts County |newspaper=The Press |location=York |access-date=3 August 2023 |date=24 September 2022 |first=James |last=O’Reilly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001135825/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/22616656.york-citys-unbeaten-run-ends-3-1-loss-notts-county/ |archive-date=1 October 2022 |url-status=live}} September ended with Notts in third place, taking 21 points from 10 matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20220924 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 24th September 2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808084619/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20220924 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 10 October, Langstaff was announced as the National League's player of the month for September.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/macaulay-marks-a-first-as-national-league-winners—72761 |title=Macaulay Marks A First As National League Winners Are Announced |publisher=The National League |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=10 October 2022 |first=Sam |last=Elliot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010165449/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/macaulay-marks-a-first-as-national-league-winners--72761 |archive-date=10 October 2022 |url-status=dead}} Having previously won the same award for the month of August,{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/vanarama-national-leagues-monthly-award-winners-an-72382 |title=Vanarama National League's Monthly Award Winners Announced! |publisher=The National League |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=22 September 2022 |first=Sam |last=Elliot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922170005/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/vanarama-national-leagues-monthly-award-winners-an-72382 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |url-status=live}} Langstaff became the first player to win consecutive National League player of the month awards. His prolific early-season form was receiving increasing media attention, including favourable comparisons to Manchester City's Erling Haaland.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63228884 |title=Macaulay Langstaff: Notts County striker flattered by Erling Haaland & Jamie Vardy comparisons |website=BBC Sport |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=13 October 2022 |first1=Charlie |last1=Slater |first2=Andrew |last2=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014134953/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63228884 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/ive-got-people-messaging-me-every-week-saying-oh-erling-haalands-catching-you-mm2dlqtff |title=Macaulay Langstaff: I've got people messaging me every week saying: oh, Erling Haaland's catching you |newspaper=The Times |access-date=13 August 2023 |date=14 October 2022 |first=Henry |last=Winter |url-access=subscription |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012212547/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ive-got-people-messaging-me-every-week-saying-oh-erling-haalands-catching-you-mm2dlqtff |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/3702160/2022/10/19/macauley-langstaff-erling-haaland/ |title=The non-League Haaland: Macauley Langstaff's bid to be the country's top goalscorer |website=The Athletic |access-date=13 August 2023 |date=18 October 2022 |first=Paul |last=Taylor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023172609/https://theathletic.com/3702160/2022/10/19/macauley-langstaff-erling-haaland/ |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live}} Langstaff joked that friends were sending him messages every week to remind him that Haaland was closing in on his goal tally. He told Paul Taylor of The Athletic that comparisons with the City forward were a "massive, massive privilege" and that he hoped "to stay ahead of him", but continued "...{{nbsp}}it is about Notts; about winning promotion and nothing else. If you asked me whether I would rather get more goals than Haaland this season or, alternatively, win promotion – I would pick promotion without hesitation."

In their first match of October, Notts County defeated Altrincham 3–1 at home.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63018008 |title=Notts County 3–1 Altrincham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 August 2023 |date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003070608/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63018008 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |url-status=live}} As a result of the previous league leaders Chesterfield's 2–1 defeat to Maidenhead the same day, Wrexham (nicknamed the Red Dragons) and Notts County moved into first and second place in the table,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63017999 |title=Chesterfield 1–2 Maidenhead United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 August 2023 |date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005062637/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63017999 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |url-status=live}} beginning the intense race between the two teams for the league championship.{{Cite episode |title=Nott Yet |series=Welcome to Wrexham |first1=Drew |last1=Palombi |first2=Jeff |last2=Luini |first3=Aaron |last3=Lovell |network=FX |date=19 September 2023 |season=2}} By coincidence, Notts hosted Wrexham in their first meeting of the season three days later. The match attracted 10,741 spectators, and was won 1–0 by the Magpies through a 13th-minute goal by Langstaff, who was able to finish a well-worked free kick routine. The victory put Notts top of the table,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63042919 |title=Notts County 1–0 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 August 2023 |date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005075935/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63042919 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |url-status=live}} a position they retained for the remainder of October after a 3–2 win at Woking,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63099464 |title=Woking 2–3 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 August 2023 |date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008174252/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63099464 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |url-status=live}} a 3–0 home win over Maidstone United,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63252111 |title=Notts County 3–0 Maidstone United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 December 2023 |date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022001745/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63252111 |archive-date=22 October 2022 |url-status=live}} and a 6–1 win at Wealdstone.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63295372 |title=Wealdstone 1–6 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 August 2023 |date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027114746/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63295372 |archive-date=27 October 2022 |url-status=live}} The latter was the first time Notts had scored six goals in an away league match since a 6–0 win at Chelsea in February 1924.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/notts-county-wealdstone-talking-points-7748354 |title=Six things we learned from Notts County's 6–1 win against Wealdstone |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=26 October 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211094935/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/notts-county-wealdstone-talking-points-7748354 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} In their final match of October, Notts stretched their winning run to seven with a 4–0 home win over Torquay,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63354974 |title=Notts County 4–0 Torquay United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=23 August 2023 |date=29 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217233800/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63354974 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |url-status=live}} ending the month in first place with 39 points from 16 matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221029 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 29th October 2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808085349/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221029 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts County's seven-match winning run came to an end in their first match of November, a 1–1 draw at home to Bromley.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62776549 |title=Notts County 1–1 Bromley |website=BBC Sport |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104060948/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62776549 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts drew again in their next game, played at Southend United on 8 November; Langstaff and Scott gave Notts 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but Southend levelled twice to secure a 2–2 draw.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63466417 |title=Southend United 2–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109225124/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63466417 |archive-date=9 November 2022 |url-status=live}} This result, combined with Wrexham's 3–1 win over Scunthorpe United the following night,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63469341 |title=Scunthorpe United 1–3 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=9 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110080046/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63469341 |archive-date=10 November 2022 |url-status=live}} saw the Magpies fall to second place.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221109 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 9th November 2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821063531/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221109 |archive-date=21 August 2024 |url-status=live}} It was the first of four consecutive rounds of fixtures where Notts County and Wrexham would exchange first position. Wrexham were held to a 0–0 draw at Wealdstone on 12 November, allowing Notts to regain top spot with a 2–0 win at Eastleigh.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63523980 |title=Eastleigh 0–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=12 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115075118/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63523980 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63469312 |title=Wealdstone 0–0 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=12 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115073616/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63469312 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |url-status=live}} The following week, Notts were held to a 0–0 draw at home to Yeovil Town, a match notable for drawing a record National League crowd of 16,511, the result of a discounted ticket promotion.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63606422 |title=Notts County 0–0 Yeovil Town |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=19 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119223109/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63606422 |archive-date=19 November 2022 |url-status=live}} On the same afternoon, Wrexham defeated Aldershot 2–0,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63606422 |title=Wrexham 2–0 Aldershot Town |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=19 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119182133/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63606488 |archive-date=19 November 2022 |url-status=live}} meaning November ended with Notts County in second place, with 45 points from 20 matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221126 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 26th November 2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808090748/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221126 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts regained top spot on 3 December; that afternoon, they defeated Scunthorpe 4–1 at Glanford Park while Wrexham were held to a 1–1 draw at York.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63765167 |title=Scunthorpe United 1–4 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203173059/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63765167 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63765232 |title=York City 1–1 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203163349/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63765232 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |url-status=live}} Notts County's next match, played at Maidenhead on 10 December, was described by Oliver King of the Nottingham Post as a "thrilling encounter".{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-v-7916220 |title=Notts County player ratings v Maidenhead as Macaulay Langstaff nets dramatic winner |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=13 September 2023 |date=10 December 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211095357/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-v-7916220 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} First half goals from Rodrigues, Castro and Langstaff had given Notts a 3–1 lead, but the home side fought back in the second half to level the score at 3–3. In the 83rd minute, Langstaff scored his second when he steered Kyle Cameron's cross past the Maidenhead goalkeeper, and Notts won 4–3.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63843800 |title=Maidenhead United 3–4 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 September 2023 |date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210181111/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63843800 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-status=live}} The Magpies finished December with two home matches, the first a 2–0 win over Gateshead in which leading goal scorer Langstaff sustained an injury, keeping him out the following match.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63868698 |title=Notts County 2–0 Gateshead |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 September 2023 |date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215061334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63868698 |archive-date=15 December 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/five-things-learned-notts-county-7927382 |title=Five things learned from Notts County win over Gateshead as double injury boost revealed |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=13 September 2023 |date=14 December 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211095800/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/five-things-learned-notts-county-7927382 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Notts fared well without their most prolific forward, defeating Oldham Athletic 4–1 on 26 December,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64022756 |title=Notts County 4–1 Oldham Athletic |website=BBC Sport |access-date=15 September 2023 |date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228124847/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64022756 |archive-date=28 December 2022 |url-status=live}} and ended 2022 in first place, taking 57 points from 24 matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221226 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 26th December 2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808092104/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20221226 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts faced Oldham again in the first match of 2023, played on New Year's Day at the latter's Boundary Park. Langstaff returned from injury; he and Scott scored, but the game finished 2–2.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64088573 |title=Oldham Athletic 2–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=17 September 2023 |date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102164716/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64088573 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |url-status=live}} The Magpies won their next match 3–0 at Aldershot on 7 January,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64132668 |title=Aldershot Town 0–3 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=7 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107230132/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64132668 |archive-date=7 January 2023 |url-status=live}} but were then held to a 1–1 draw with Boreham Wood in their first home game of the year.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64149067 |title=Notts County 1–1 Boreham Wood |website=BBC Sport |access-date=18 September 2023 |date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110220541/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64149067 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |url-status=live}} There then followed an 18-day break in league matches, caused firstly by Notts County's participation in the FA Trophy and then the postponement of their scheduled visits to Chesterfield and Solihull due to freezing weather conditions.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/chesterfield-pitch-inspection-210223/ |title=Postponed: Chesterfield (A) |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=18 September 2023 |date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122003253/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/chesterfield-pitch-inspection-210223/ |archive-date=22 January 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/solihull-inspection-230123/ |title=Postponed: Solihull (A) |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=30 December 2023 |date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230162949/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/solihull-inspection-230123/ |archive-date=30 December 2023 |url-status=live}} Wrexham won two league matches during this period,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64272844 |title=Maidstone United 2–3 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121170712/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64272844 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64299715 |title=Gateshead 0–3 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124232846/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64299715 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |url-status=live}} allowing them to take a three-point lead at the top of the table.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230124 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 24th January 2023 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821064152/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230124 |archive-date=21 August 2024 |url-status=live}} With the Red Dragons involved in the FA Cup,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64442039 |title=Wrexham 3–3 Sheffield United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=29 January 2023 |first=Aled |last=Williams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129203422/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64442039 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |url-status=live}} the Magpies drew level on points with a 1–0 home win over Halifax on 28 January.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64356735 |title=Notts County 1–0 Halifax Town |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131045541/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64356735 |archive-date=31 January 2023 |url-status=live}} They then retook top spot in the final game of January, a 2–1 win in their rearranged game at Solihull. Notts found themselves 1–0 down, but secured victory via two Rodrigues penalties,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64299717 |title=Solihull Moors 1–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=18 September 2023 |date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201001220/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64299717 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |url-status=live}} meaning Notts ended January in first place, taking 68 points from 29 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230131 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 31st January 2023 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808092731/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230131 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

File:Chesterfield vs. Notts County, 11 February 2023.jpg

Notts County's first match in February was at Torquay, a 2–1 win for the Magpies despite playing the final 25 minutes with only ten men.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64436254 |title=Torquay United 1–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 October 2023 |date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204235022/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64436254 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |url-status=live}} The following week, Notts travelled to Chesterfield for their rearranged game; Langstaff opened the scoring for the away team, controlling a long pass from goalkeeper Sam Slocombe and beating Ross Fitzsimons. Although Chesterfield equalised before half time, they were reduced to ten men in the second half, and Adam Chicksen's 71st minute goal secured a 2–1 away win.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64272913 |title=Chesterfield 1–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221034650/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64272913 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |url-status=live}} Notts scored four goals in each of their next three matches, first beating Barnet 4–1 at Meadow Lane and then beating Yeovil away by the same scoreline, Langstaff scoring a hat-trick in the latter.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63953209 |title=Notts County 4–1 Barnet |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 October 2023 |date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214231611/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63953209 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64607408 |title=Yeovil Town 1–4 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 October 2023 |date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218212405/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64607408 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |url-status=live}} A 4–0 home win over Southend was Notts County's 25th league match unbeaten,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64633314 |title=Notts County 4–0 Southend United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222221601/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64633314 |archive-date=22 February 2023 |url-status=live}} a club record brought to an end on 25 February when Inih Effiong's 86th-minute goal gave Dagenham a 2–1 win at Meadow Lane.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64686439 |title=Notts County 1–2 Dagenham & Redbridge |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225211430/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64686439 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |url-status=live}} On 28 February, Wrexham defeated Chesterfield 2–1 to move ahead of Notts;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64252811 |title=Wrexham 2–1 Chesterfield |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 October 2023 |date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228223705/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64252811 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |url-status=live}} as a result, the Magpies ended February in second place, with 83 points from 35 matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230228 |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 28th February 2023 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808094150/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230228 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts were held to a 1–1 draw at Bromley in their first game of March,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64768140 |title=Bromley 1–1 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304202510/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64768140 |archive-date=4 March 2023 |url-status=live}} but then won back-to-back home games against Dorking and Eastleigh; in both matches, the Magpies won 3–1 having fallen 0–1 behind.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64845570 |title=Notts County 3–1 Dorking Wanderers |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312034122/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64845570 |archive-date=12 March 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64871062 |title=Notts County 3–1 Eastleigh |website=BBC Sport |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315063909/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64871062 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |url-status=live}} Notts were then held to another 1–1 draw at Barnet on 18 March, a result that led to the team falling three points behind Wrexham.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64923762 |title=Barnet 1–1 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318175439/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64923762 |archive-date=18 March 2023 |url-status=live}} Notts followed this with a 4–0 home win over Scunthorpe on 25 March, with Langstaff scoring his 38th and 39th goals, equalling the club record for most goals scored in a single season by an individual player.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64998012 |title=Notts County 4–0 Scunthorpe United |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330073521/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64998012 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |url-status=live}} The record was broken in Notts County's final game of the month, played at Altrincham on 28 March, when Langstaff finished a quickly taken free kick from Bostock to put the Magpies 1–0 up. Archie Mair saved a first half penalty for the away team, and Rodrigues's second-half penalty made the final score 2–0 to Notts.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65022221 |title=Altrincham 0–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329163407/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65022221 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |url-status=live}} This match was brought forward from 1 April due to Altrincham's involvement in the FA Trophy,{{cite news |url=https://altrinchamfc.com/blogs/news/new-date-for-notts-county-at-home |title=New Date For Notts County At Home |publisher=Altrincham F.C. |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327101024/https://altrinchamfc.com/blogs/news/new-date-for-notts-county-at-home |archive-date=27 March 2023 |url-status=live}} allowing Notts to end March top of the table on goal difference, with 97 points from 41 matches.{{cite web |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 28th March 2023 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230328 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208113826/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230328 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |url-status=live}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL

|res_col_header=Q

|float=right

|teamwidth=auto

|title=National League top three before Wrexham v Notts County

|team1=NOC |team2=WRE |team3=WOK

|win_NOC=30|draw_NOC=10 |loss_NOC=2|gf_NOC=106 |ga_NOC=36

|win_WRE=31|draw_WRE=7 |loss_WRE=3 |gf_WRE=106 |ga_WRE=39

|win_WOK=22|draw_WOK=9 |loss_WOK=10|gf_WOK=67 |ga_WOK=42

|name_NOC = Notts County

|name_WRE = Wrexham

|name_WOK = Woking

|update=complete|title_source={{cite web |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 7th April 2023 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230407 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006111337/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230407 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |url-status=live}}

}}

In their first game of April, Notts defeated Wealdstone 3–0, with Langstaff scoring to break the National League record for most goals in a season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133719 |title=Notts County 3–0 Wealdstone |website=BBC Sport |access-date=27 September 2023 |date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411191039/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133719 |archive-date=11 April 2023 |url-status=live}} That same afternoon, Wrexham lost 3–1 at Halifax, meaning the Magpies and Red Dragons were tied on 100 points.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133722 |title=Halifax Town 3–1 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=27 September 2023 |date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407180647/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133722 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |url-status=live}} Having already beaten or expected to surpass previous divisional records for wins, points and goals scored,{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/12853996/wrexham-vs-notts-county-the-biggest-game-in-national-league-history-with-both-sides-on-100-points |title=Wrexham vs Notts County: The biggest game in National League history with both sides on 100 points |website=Sky Sports |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=10 April 2023 |first=David |last=Richardson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419043819/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/12853996/wrexham-vs-notts-county-the-biggest-game-in-national-league-history-with-both-sides-on-100-points |archive-date=19 April 2023 |url-status=live}} the two teams met at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on 10 April. With only the champions certain to win promotion, and the runner-up at risk of not going up at all, there was significant interest in the match; it received international coverage from The New York Times,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/08/sports/soccer/welcome-to-wrexham-notts-county.html |title=The Team Trying to Change the Ending of 'Welcome to Wrexham' |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=27 September 2023 |date=8 April 2023 |first=Rory |last=Smith |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409044549/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/08/sports/soccer/welcome-to-wrexham-notts-county.html |archive-date=9 April 2023 |url-status=live}} and was characterised in the press as the biggest game in National League or non-League history.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65195991 |title=Wrexham v Notts County: How Magpies have added 'theatre' to Hollywood showdown |website=BBC Sport |access-date=21 January 2024 |date=8 April 2023 |first1=Andrew |last1=Aloia |first2=Charlie |last2=Slater |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410022641/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65195991 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/wrexham-v-notts-county-the-biggest-non-league-game-ever-zqb583v99 |title=Wrexham v Notts County: The biggest non-League game ever? |newspaper=The Times |access-date=21 January 2024 |date=10 April 2023 |first=Gregor |last=Robertson |url-access=subscription |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608120957/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wrexham-v-notts-county-the-biggest-non-league-game-ever-zqb583v99 |url-status=live}} Notts led 1–0 at half time through a Bostock free kick in added-on time, but Wrexham established a 3–2 lead during the second half. In the sixth minute of injury time, the Magpies were given the chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty for a handball, but Wrexham's goalkeeper Ben Foster saved the subsequent attempt from Scott, and the Red Dragons held on to win,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65159591 |title=Wrexham 3–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411082515/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65159591 |archive-date=11 April 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/10/wrexham-notts-county-national-league-match-report |title=Ben Foster save takes Wrexham close to promotion with win over Notts County |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=28 September 2023 |date=10 April 2023 |first=Andy |last=Hunter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410193031/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/10/wrexham-notts-county-national-league-match-report |archive-date=10 April 2023 |url-status=live}} taking a three-point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand.{{cite web |title=Vanarama National League – League Table – 10th April 2023 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230410 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808095015/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/2022-2023/date/20230410 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |url-status=live}}

Notts defeated Woking 3–0 at home in their next match, temporarily reducing the gap on Wrexham to one point following the latter's draw at Barnet.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65217925 |title=Notts County 3–0 Woking |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419164814/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65217925 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65217855 |title=Barnet 0–0 Wrexham |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415205551/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65217855 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |url-status=live}} However, Wrexham would defeat Yeovil on 18 April to win their game in hand and move four points clear, meaning a victory in either of their two remaining matches would clinch the title.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64461732 |title=Wrexham 3–0 Yeovil Town |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=18 April 2023 |first=Aled |last=Williams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419013257/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ |archive-date=19 April 2023 |url-status=live}} That victory duly came on 22 April, when the Red Dragons beat Boreham Wood.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65283910 |title=Wrexham 3–1 Boreham Wood |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=22 April 2023 |first=Aled |last=Williams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422194108/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65283910 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |url-status=live}} That same day, Notts played their final away match of the season at Maidstone, a 5–2 win in which O'Brien scored a hat-trick.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65283842 |title=Maidstone United 2–5 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422181620/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65283842 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |url-status=live}} In their final match of the regular season, Notts drew 1–1 with York at Meadow Lane, with Langstaff scoring his 42nd goal.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65357256 |title=Notts County 1–1 York City |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430165120/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65357256 |archive-date=30 April 2023 |url-status=live}} Notts ended the regular season in second place with 107 points from 46 matches, a points tally sufficient to have won any previous National League title.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65493200 |title=Luke Williams: Notts County boss questions what makes Magpies play-off favourites |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 October 2023 |date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506142101/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65493200 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |url-status=live}}

Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Notts County's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

Results

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL

|res_col_header=Q

|teamwidth=auto

|title=National League final table, leading positions

|team1=WRE |team2=NOC |team3=CHE |team4=WOK |team5=BAR |team6=BOW |team7=BRO

|win_WRE=34|draw_WRE=9 |loss_WRE=3|gf_WRE=116 |ga_WRE=43

|win_NOC=32|draw_NOC=11 |loss_NOC=3 |gf_NOC=117 |ga_NOC=42

|win_CHE=25|draw_CHE=9 |loss_CHE=12|gf_CHE=85 |ga_CHE=52

|win_WOK=24|draw_WOK=10 |loss_WOK=12|gf_WOK=71 |ga_WOK=48

|win_BAR=21|draw_BAR=11 |loss_BAR=14|gf_BAR=75 |ga_BAR=67

|win_BOW=19|draw_BOW=15|loss_BOW=12|gf_BOW=52 |ga_BOW=40

|win_BRO=18|draw_BRO=17|loss_BRO=11|gf_BRO=68 |ga_BRO=53

|name_WRE = Wrexham

|name_NOC = Notts County

|name_CHE = Chesterfield

|name_WOK = Woking

|name_BAR = Barnet

|name_BOW = Boreham Wood

|name_BRO = Bromley

|col_CP=|text_CP=Division Champions, promoted

|result1=CP

|col_P=|text_P=Participated in play-offs, promoted

|result2=P|result3=PP

|col_PP=|text_PP=Participated in play-offs

|result4=PP|result5=PP|result6=PP|result7=PP

|update=complete|title_source={{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/conference-national/20222023/regular-season/r70554/tables/ |title=National League: Tables |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214185810/https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/conference-national/20222023/regular-season/r70554/tables/ |archive-date=14 December 2023 |url-status=live}}

}}

File:Notts County 3 Boreham Wood 2 postmatch pitch invasion.jpg

Under the National League's play-off format, second place Notts County and third place Chesterfield advanced directly to the semi-final stage; the pair's opponents were decided in two quarter-finals involving the teams finishing between fourth and seventh. Notts ultimately faced Boreham Wood, the latter having beaten Barnet 2–1 in their quarter-final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439157 |title=Barnet 1–2 Boreham Wood |website=BBC Sport |access-date=27 August 2023 |date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505045034/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65439157 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Although Boreham Wood had finished 35 points behind Notts in the league standings,{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/4495998/2023/05/07/notts-county-boreham-wood-national-league-playoff/ |title=Notts County reach National League play-off final with comeback victory over Boreham Wood |website=The Athletic |access-date=27 August 2023 |date=7 May 2023 |first=Ali |last=Rampling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507144140/https://theathletic.com/4495998/2023/05/07/notts-county-boreham-wood-national-league-playoff/ |archive-date=7 May 2023 |url-status=live}} closer in points to the relegation places than to the Magpies, Williams anticipated a close match. He told reporters "...{{nbsp}}on the day, we know that anything can happen and I don't think there is much difference between any of the teams that a fixture is a given".{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/luke-williams-highlights-difficulty-boreham-8412338 |title=Luke Williams highlights difficulty of Boreham Wood test as importance of fans amplified |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=4 May 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211100440/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/luke-williams-highlights-difficulty-boreham-8412338 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Two days before the match, Boreham Wood signed Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell on an emergency loan due to an injury sustained by first-choice goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore in the quarter-final.{{cite news |url=https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/welcome-joe-mcdonnell/ |title=Welcome, Joe McDonnell! |publisher=Boreham Wood F.C. |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=28 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828112319/https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/welcome-joe-mcdonnell/ |archive-date=28 August 2023 |url-status=live}} Notts named the same starting eleven as their final regular season match against York City.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65446453 |title=Notts County 3–2 Boreham Wood |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2023 |date=7 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507173846/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65446453 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |url-status=live}}

The semi-final, played at Meadow Lane on 7 May, was attended by 15,617 spectators. The Magpies missed a series of chances during the first half, and their wastefulness was punished in the 37th minute when Femi Ilesanmi scored from close range to put Boreham Wood 1–0 up. Aden Baldwin then had two opportunities to equalise for Notts from long range, but Boreham Wood doubled their lead when Lee Ndlovu pounced on a loose pass from Bostock to Baldwin and found himself one-on-one with Slocombe. The away team led 2–0 at half time. Early in the second half, Baldwin's third long-range effort found the back of the net to reduce the deficit to 1–2. The Magpies then had the chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Rodrigues; Rodrigues took the penalty himself, but saw it saved by McDonnell. The match remained 1–2 until the sixth minute of injury time, when a powerful cross from substitute Jodi Jones met the head of Baldwin, who directed the ball into the net to make the score 2–2 in the final moments of normal time. Both sides had chances in extra time, but the scores remained tied until the final minute, when Jones's effort from the edge of the penalty area found its way past McDonnell, giving Notts a last-ditch 3–2 victory and sparking a pitch invasion from jubilant supporters.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/notts-county-national-league-b2334391.html |title=Jodi Jones grabs extra-time winner as Notts County reach play-off final |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=27 December 2023 |date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507145225/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/notts-county-national-league-b2334391.html |archive-date=7 May 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRS5Rty-oN0&ab_channel=TNTSports |title=Notts County vs Boreham Wood (3–2) Magpies bag 120th minute winner! National League Highlights |date=7 May 2023 |via=YouTube |publisher=TNT Sports |access-date=30 August 2023 |archive-date=28 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828115738/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRS5Rty-oN0&ab_channel=TNTSports |url-status=live}}

Baldwin's two goals were the first of his professional career. Speaking to reporters after the match about his equalising goal, Baldwin said "it is one of the best feelings I have ever felt – for Jodi to cut in and hit it as hard as he did, I just needed to connect with it, which I did, and I had that realisation that we could only go on to win the game from there."{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/aden-baldwin-lost-words-trying-8423658 |title=Aden Baldwin 'lost for words' trying to explain Notts County equaliser in play-off showdown |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=10 September 2023 |date=8 May 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241024103343/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/aden-baldwin-lost-words-trying-8423658 |archive-date=24 October 2024 |url-status=live}} Jones's goal was his first since October 2018; he had suffered from a series of anterior cruciate ligament injuries which had prevented him from playing for much of the intervening period.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/malta-england-coventry-gareth-southgate-instagram-b2357244.html |title=Jodi Jones relishing chance to take on England after overcoming injury despair |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=4 September 2023 |date=14 June 2023 |first=Nick |last=Mashiter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614115043/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/malta-england-coventry-gareth-southgate-instagram-b2357244.html |archive-date=14 June 2023 |url-status=live}} Discussing the immediate aftermath of his goal, Jones told Ben Fisher of The Guardian "I remember trying to pull my shirt off; I was just so excited I didn't know what to do. I saw all the bench coming towards me, the gaffer trying to chase me but he couldn't keep up."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/12/notts-county-jodi-jones-winning-goal-playoff-final-national-league |title=Notts County's Jodi Jones: 'I've watched my winning goal more than 50 times' |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=5 September 2023 |date=12 May 2023 |first=Ben |last=Fisher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512124257/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/12/notts-county-jodi-jones-winning-goal-playoff-final-national-league |archive-date=12 May 2023 |url-status=live}} The win meant that Notts County qualified for the play-off final, played at Wembley Stadium on 13 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65518574 |title=Luke Williams says Notts County feel 'bullet proof' for National League promotion final |website=BBC Sport |access-date=21 January 2024 |date=7 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507191332/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65518574 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |url-status=live}}

{{main|2023 National League play-off final}}

File:Kyle Cameron Wembley.jpg

Notts County faced Chesterfield (nicknamed the Spireites) in the final, the latter having beaten Bromley 3–2 in extra time in the semi-final.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65446451 |title=Chesterfield 3–2 Bromley |website=BBC Sport |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509024817/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65446451 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Notts County had previously played at Wembley Stadium in the 1990 Third Division play-off final, 1991 Second Division play-off final, 1994 Anglo-Italian Cup final, 1995 Anglo-Italian Cup final, 1996 Second Division play-off final and 2020 National League play-off final. Asked what a win would mean to the club after missing automatic promotion, Williams said "we would feel some sort of justification, a sense of confirmation, that all our hard work paid off". He anticipated "a real huge clash between two very good teams for the level".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65571043 |title=Luke Williams: Notts County want to 'close door' on non-league chapter, says boss |website=BBC Sport |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=12 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519000833/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65571043 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Williams named an unchanged starting eleven from that which had begun the semi-final.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-team-news-vs-8437234 |title=Notts County team news vs Chesterfield confirmed as side named for Wembley play-off final |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=13 May 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211100831/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-team-news-vs-8437234 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

Watched by 38,138 spectators, the Magpies had to defend an indirect free kick in their own penalty area in the opening minutes, after Slocombe inadvertently took two touches of the ball following a goal kick. Slocombe saved the subsequent attempt from Jeff King, but gave away a penalty for a foul on Andrew Dallas shortly after, and Dallas put Chesterfield 1–0 up; this remained the score at half time. Notts came close to equalising through Austin and Rawlinson during the second half, but the match remained 1–0 until the 87th minute. Awarded a free kick along the left-hand side, Bostock caught goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons out of position and equalised for the Magpies at the near post. The score was 1–1 at full time.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65521672 |title=Chesterfield 2–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=13 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514033149/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65521672 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/13/x |title=Notts County beat Chesterfield in playoff to return to Football League |newspaper=The Observer |access-date=14 December 2023 |date=13 May 2023 |first=Ed |last=Aarons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513195506/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/13/x |archive-date=13 May 2023 |url-status=live}}

Chesterfield regained their lead early in the first half of extra time through Armando Dobra, who had time and space to place a shot past Slocombe. Langstaff and Rawlinson both had opportunities to equalise for the Magpies, but the Spireites led 2–1 at half time in extra time. Notts equalised early in the second half through Rodrigues, whose bouncing volley looped into the back of the net. There was no further scoring, and the match finished 2–2, meaning the second promoted club would be decided by a penalty shoot-out. Late in extra time, Williams substituted Slocombe, who had not saved a penalty during the season, for Archie Mair, who had.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/luke-williams-explains-archie-mair-8437713 |title=Luke Williams explains Archie Mair decision as Notts County character hailed after historic Wembley triumph |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=10 October 2023 |date=13 May 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211101200/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/luke-williams-explains-archie-mair-8437713 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Mair saved two of Chesterfield's first four penalties, while Langstaff, Rodrigues and Jones all scored with Notts County's first three kicks. This gave Bostock the opportunity to win the match for the Magpies, but his attempted panenka hit the crossbar. Joe Quigley scored Chesterfield's fifth and final penalty, leaving Cedwyn Scott to seal promotion for his team with Notts County's final kick.

Notts County won promotion despite leading their two play-off matches for a combined total of about one minute. In post-play-off final interviews, Williams paid tribute to his team, saying "I've learned that when these guys look like they are done, they are not – they have another roll of the dice".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65586102 |title=Notts County boss Luke Williams 'can't comprehend' National League promotion final win |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 October 2023 |date=13 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514014909/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65586102 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Williams credited the Notts goalkeeping coach Tom Weal for his role in Bostock's equaliser, revealing that, in pre-match analysis, Weal had noticed the Chesterfield goalkeeper's tendency to leave "big, big gaps" when defending free kicks, and had put this "in the mind of the players".{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/notts-county-boss-praises-hero-goalkeeping-coach-in-penalty-shootout-win-against-chesterfield-4141853 |title=Notts County boss praises 'hero' goalkeeping coach in penalty shootout win against Chesterfield |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |access-date=11 October 2023 |date=14 May 2023 |first=Liam |last=Norcliffe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514113059/https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/notts-county-boss-praises-hero-goalkeeping-coach-in-penalty-shootout-win-against-chesterfield-4141853 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Bostock was able to joke about his penalty miss: "I thought it was crossbar challenge", he told BT Sport.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/may/13/chesterfield-v-notts-county-national-league-playoff-final-live-score-updates?page=with:block-645fb1a58f08c4e696f28b20 |title=Chesterfield 2–2 Notts County (3–4 on penalties): National League playoff final – as it happened |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=11 October 2023 |date=13 May 2023 |first=Will |last=Magee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514014554/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/may/13/chesterfield-v-notts-county-national-league-playoff-final-live-score-updates?page=with:block-645fb1a58f08c4e696f28b20 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Bostock's miss meant the promotion-winning penalty was taken by Scott, who admitted to being "a bit nervous" as he prepared to take his kick following "the affairs that happened at Wrexham" (the pivotal league match where he had seen his injury-time penalty to equalise saved). "That hit me hard" he said, but this time "gladly I put it away".{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/gateshead-efl-macaulay-langstaff-cedwyn-8438239 |title=From Gateshead to the EFL: Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott open up on play-off glory |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=11 October 2023 |date=14 May 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211101536/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/gateshead-efl-macaulay-langstaff-cedwyn-8438239 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Notts County's score shown first
• H = Home match
• N = Match played at a neutral venue

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

Notts County entered the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage, where they were drawn at home to Coalville Town of the Southern Football League's Premier Division Central.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/october/fa-cup-draw-280922/ |title=FA Cup: Coalville (H) |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=15 November 2023 |date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026093223/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/october/fa-cup-draw-280922/ |archive-date=26 October 2023 |url-status=live}} After making eight changes from their previous league game, the Magpies found themselves 1–0 down almost immediately. Although Austin quickly equalised for Notts, Coalville restored their lead in the 23rd minute, and led 2–1 at half time. In the second half, Notts brought on two first-team regulars, Palmer and Rodrigues, and were level in the 66th minute through Austin's second goal of the game. Langstaff was brought on immediately afterwards in an effort to win the match, but Coalville retook the lead in the 86th minute through Luke Shaw, and held on to win 3–2 in a major upset.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/fa-cup/430434/notts-county-2-3-coalville-town-ravens-rally-to-stun-notts/ |title=Notts County 2–3 Coalville Town: Ravens rally to stun Notts |website=The Non-League Paper |access-date=15 November 2023 |date=16 October 2022 |first=John |last=Brindley |url-access=subscription |archive-date=16 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016080025/https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/fa-cup/430434/notts-county-2-3-coalville-town-ravens-rally-to-stun-notts/ |url-status=live}}

Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Notts County's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

Notts County's FA Trophy campaign began in the third round at home to Chorley of National League North. Notts made six changes from their previous league match, including bringing in Bostock for his first start for the club. Chorley took a 1–0 lead through Connor Hall, but Notts were soon level through Austin, who equalised in the 33rd minute. In first-half injury time, Scott Leather turned a cross from Nemane into his own net to give Notts the lead. With no further scoring, Notts won 2–1.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-magpies-7952166 |title=Notts County player ratings as Magpies beat Chorley in FA Trophy |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=16 November 2023 |date=20 December 2022 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211102207/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-magpies-7952166 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

In the fourth round, the Magpies were again drawn at home, this time against fellow National League club Maidstone United. Notts made six changes to their starting eleven from their previous league match, and also included youth team members Madou Cisse and Charlie Gill on the bench; both made their debuts in this match. Regan Booty gave Maidstone a 1–0 lead with a first-half penalty, and the away side extended their lead when Roarie Deacon fired into an empty net from 45 yards, after Notts were caught in possession. Chicksen reduced the deficit to 1–2 shortly afterwards, and Notts levelled the game late on when Austin was able to follow up on his own rebound. The match went to penalties, with the away team winning 6–5, Palmer seeing the decisive penalty saved by the Maidstone goalkeeper.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-vs-8032558 |title=Notts County player ratings vs Maidstone as Magpies knocked out of FA Trophy on penalties |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=19 November 2023 |date=15 January 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211102546/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-vs-8032558 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/match-report-for-notts-county-vs-maidstone-united-on-15-jan-23/ |title=Report: Notts 2–2 Maidstone |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=19 November 2023 |date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030142754/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/match-report-for-notts-county-vs-maidstone-united-on-15-jan-23/ |archive-date=30 October 2023 |url-status=live}}

Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Notts County's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

Notts County played 51 matches in the 2022–23 season: 46 in the league, two in the play-offs, one in FA Cup qualifying and two in the FA Trophy. Matt Palmer was the only player to feature in every game, starting 48 times and being brought off the bench as a substitute in the other three matches. Across all competitions, Notts made use of 30 different players, four of whom were goalkeepers. A total of nineteen different players scored 128 goals between them across all competitions.

;Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

Pos = Playing position

Nat. = Nationality

Apps = Appearances

{{col-3}}

GK = Goalkeeper

DF = Defender

MF = Midfielder

FW = Forward

{{col-3}}

File:Yellow card.svg = Yellow cards

File:Red card.svg = Red cards

{{col-end}}

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.

Source:{{cite web |url=https://fbref.com/en/squads/3b27de1f/2022-2023/c34/Notts-County-Stats-National-League |title=2022–2023 Notts County Stats (National League) |website=FBRef |access-date=27 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127164911/https://fbref.com/en/squads/3b27de1f/2022-2023/c34/Notts-County-Stats-National-League |archive-date=27 November 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/10/15/england/fa-cup/notts-county-fc/coalville-town/3970414/ |title=Notts County vs. Coalville Town 2–3: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 January 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/12/20/england/fa-trophy/notts-county-fc/chorley-fc/3990663/ |title=Notts County vs. Chorley 2–1: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221042520/https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/12/20/england/fa-trophy/notts-county-fc/chorley-fc/3990663/ |archive-date=21 December 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/15/england/fa-trophy/notts-county-fc/maidstone-united-fc/4003673/ |title=Notts County vs. Maidstone United 2–2: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203105625/https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/15/england/fa-trophy/notts-county-fc/maidstone-united-fc/4003673/ |archive-date=3 December 2023 |url-status=live}}

Notts County's season was affected by the sudden death, on 30 March, of Jason Turner, the club's chief executive officer, at the age of 50.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65135896 |title=Notts County: Chief executive Jason Turner dies suddenly aged 50 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331180854/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65135896 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |url-status=live}} Among those paying tribute to Turner were the club's owners, Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz;{{cite news |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/tribute-jason-turner-020423/ |title=Tribute: Jason Turner |publisher=Notts County F.C. |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403150553/https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/tribute-jason-turner-020423/ |archive-date=3 April 2023 |url-status=live}} head coach Luke Williams,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65181696 |title=Notts County: Death of CEO Jason Turner an emotional motivator, says Macauley Langstaff |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406102121/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65181696 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |url-status=live}} players from the club and officials from others. The club's first match following Turner's death, the home game with Wealdstone on 7 April, was attended by his family, and preceded by a minute's applause, with the team and coaching staff wearing t-shirts bearing Turner's image.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-announce-jason-turner-8323318 |title=Notts County announce Jason Turner tribute for Wealdstone fixture |newspaper=Nottingham Post |last=King |first=Oliver |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211103350/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-announce-jason-turner-8323318 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Williams dedicated his team's 3–0 win to Turner: "I think that was fitting for Jason," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/emotional-luke-williams-describes-wealdstone-8333085 |title=Emotional Luke Williams describes Wealdstone win fitting to honour Jason Turner |newspaper=Nottingham Post |last=King |first=Oliver |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211103658/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/emotional-luke-williams-describes-wealdstone-8333085 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Notts made a large banner featuring Turner in tribute to him;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65532792 |title=Notts County boss Luke Williams pays tribute to the late Jason Turner after reaching Wembley |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=9 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510083338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65532792 |archive-date=10 May 2023 |url-status=live}} this was taken to Wembley Stadium and displayed there during the play-off final. The players also included a framed photo of him in their celebrations after being presented with the play-off trophy.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-1/national-league/440560/notts-perfect-turner-tribute/ |title=Notts' perfect Turner tribute |website=The Non-League Paper |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=14 May 2023 |first=Matt |last=Badcock |url-access=subscription |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012205938/https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-1/national-league/440560/notts-perfect-turner-tribute/ |url-status=live}}

The team broke numerous club records during the 2022–23 season.The 2022–23 season records in this section are taken from {{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/every-notts-county-record-broken-8424136 |title=Every Notts County record broken in special National League campaign |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=15 October 2023 |date=9 May 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211104033/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/every-notts-county-record-broken-8424136 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} Most of the records from previous seasons are taken from {{cite book |last1=Warsop |first1=Keith |last2=Brown |first2=Tony |date=2007 |title=The Definitive Notts County F.C. |location=Nottingham |publisher=Tony Brown |isbn=978-1-899468-99-7}} The 1997–98 team had held Notts County's record for most points in a season (99){{harvnb|Warsop|Brown|2007|p=48}} and fewest league defeats (5).{{harvnb|Warsop|Brown|2007|p=22}} Its 2022–23 counterparts bettered both of these records, accumulating 107 points and being beaten only 3 times. The 32 wins achieved during 2022–23 surpassed the previous record of 30 held by the 1970–71 team. Between 24 September 2022 and 25 February 2023, Notts County were unbeaten in 25 league matches. This exceeded the previous record of 19 league matches, achieved between 26 April 1930 and 17 December 1930, encompassing the final game of the 1929–30 season and first 18 of 1930–31.{{harvnb|Warsop |Brown|2007|pp=115–16}} In the latter season, Tom Keetley scored 39 goals for the Magpies as they won promotion from Third Division South.{{cite news |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/how-macaulay-langstaff-followed-tom-8303869 |title=How Macaulay Langstaff followed Tom Keetley's footsteps to become a Notts County legend |newspaper=Nottingham Post |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=29 March 2023 |first=Oliver |last=King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211104626/https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/how-macaulay-langstaff-followed-tom-8303869 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |url-status=live}} This stood as the record for most goals scored for Notts County by an individual player in a single season until beaten by Macaulay Langstaff's 42 goals during 2022–23. Langstaff also broke the previous National League record for goals in a season, beating Ricky Miller's 40 goals for Dover Athletic in 2016–17.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65110430 |title=Macaulay Langstaff: Notts County goal record 'means the most to me' |website=BBC Sport |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017083424/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65110430 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |url-status=live}} In total, the team scored 117 league goals during the 2022–23 season, 10 more than its 1959–60 counterparts and the previous record holder.

A Notts County player was recognised as National League player of the month four times during the 2022–23 season. Three of these awards were won by Macaulay Langstaff, who was player of the month for August, September and March.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/its-notts-landing-another-double-as-county-clean-u-75548 |title=It's Notts Landing Another Double As County Clean Up! |publisher=The National League |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=11 April 2023 |first=Sam |last=Elliot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017091319/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/its-notts-landing-another-double-as-county-clean-u-75548 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |url-status=live}} Kyle Cameron was named player of the month for December.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/lets-meet-decembers-big-national-league-award-winn-74056 |title=Let's Meet December's Big National League Award Winners! |publisher=The National League |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=9 January 2023 |first=Sam |last=Elliot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110105127/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/lets-meet-decembers-big-national-league-award-winn-74056 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |url-status=live}} Langstaff was awarded National League player of the year, while he and Cameron were also named in the National League's team of the year, alongside their Notts County teammates Adam Chicksen, Matt Palmer and Rúben Rodrigues.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/vanarama-national-league-big-winners-announced-76017 |title=Vanarama National League Big Winners Announced |publisher=The National League |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=11 May 2023 |first=Tom |last=Scott |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511192656/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/vanarama-national-league-big-winners-announced-76017 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Luke Williams won manager of the month awards twice during the season, in October and March.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/luke-whos-won-joy-for-williams-and-super-shrimper-73355 |title=Luke Who's Won! Joy For Williams And Super Shrimper Shaun |publisher=The National League |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=14 November 2022 |first=Sam |last=Elliot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114181740/https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/luke-whos-won-joy-for-williams-and-super-shrimper-73355 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |url-status=live}}

File:Notts County civic reception 2010.jpg

Promotion meant Notts County regained their status as the oldest EFL club,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65590185 |title=Notts County: How promotion to the EFL returns a 'badge of honour' to Magpies |website=BBC Sport |access-date=4 October 2023 |date=15 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519012532/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65590185 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |url-status=live}} an important part of their identity before relegation in 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48148785 |title=Notts County: League Two relegation robs Magpies of their identity |website=BBC Sport |access-date=4 August 2024 |date=5 May 2019 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515114631/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48148785 |archive-date=15 May 2024 |url-status=live}} Luke Williams described it as an "enormous{{nbsp}}... massive moment in the history of the club. We have shut the door on the worst times the club has experienced since its beginning". The team returned to Nottingham the day following the play-off final, greeted by hundreds of supporters at Meadow Lane.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65588365 |title=Notts County fans celebrate 'the best end to the best season' |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514181647/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65588365 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}} There were no civic celebrations in the city's Old Market Square to mark the team's achievement, with Nottingham City Council, months away from effectively declaring bankruptcy,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/29/nottingham-city-council-issues-114-notice-in-effect-declaring-itself-bankrupt |title=Nottingham city council issues notice in effect declaring itself bankrupt |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=30 January 2024 |date=29 November 2023 |first1=Jessica |last1=Murray |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129173129/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/29/nottingham-city-council-issues-114-notice-in-effect-declaring-itself-bankrupt |archive-date=29 November 2023 |url-status=live}} initially announcing that none could take place due to pressure on the council's budget.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65603905 |title=Notts County: Cost stops promotion celebration |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=16 May 2023 |first1=Amy |last1=Phipps |first2=Greig |last2=Watson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519011355/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65603905 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |url-status=live}} Following criticism, the council announced that it wanted to stage an event before the start of the following season,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65628136 |title=Council U-turn on Notts County promotion celebration |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=17 May 2023 |first1=Hugh |last1=Casswell |first2=Dan |last2=Martin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517214337/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65628136 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |url-status=live}} though Notts County eventually declined this invitation.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65968620 |title=Notts County: Belated celebration event 'not feasible' |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2023 |date=21 June 2023 |first=Amy |last=Phipps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621122819/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65968620 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |url-status=live}} Council leader David Mellen apologised for the initial decision, saying it had "not been the council's finest hour".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65631599 |title=Notts County: Council apology over promotion celebration row |website=BBC Sport |access-date=12 October 2023 |date=18 May 2023 |first=Alex |last=Smith |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519001813/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65631599 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |url-status=live}}

The necessity of Notts County having to win promotion via the play-offs despite finishing the season with 107 points, a record for a team finishing second, led to "increasing scrutiny" of the number of promotion and relegation places between the National League and EFL.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/11095/12936412/future-of-football-the-promotion-relegation-conundrum-for-the-efl-national-league |title=Future of Football: The promotion-relegation conundrum for the EFL & National League |website=Sky Sports |access-date=25 September 2023 |date=9 August 2023 |first=David |last=Richardson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809123524/https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/11095/12936412/future-of-football-the-promotion-relegation-conundrum-for-the-efl-national-league |archive-date=9 August 2023 |url-status=dead}} "We want to make it [more promotion places] happen," Mark Ives, the National League's general manager, said following the play-off final. "Everyone would think it is fair that the two teams with more than 100 points went up. We were at risk of that not happening. The issue for me is when and how it works."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65596135 |title=National League: More promotion spots to EFL would be 'fair', says general manager Mark Ives |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 September 2023 |date=15 May 2023 |first=Simon |last=Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515195837/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65596135 |archive-date=15 May 2023 |url-status=live}} His sentiments were echoed by other figures within the National League, including Chesterfield's manager Paul Cook, who described the league's solitary automatic promotion place as "an absolute sporting disgrace", continuing "Notts County should have gone up automatically without a doubt."{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/sporting-disgrace-chesterfield-manager-paul-cook-calls-for-more-promotion-places-in-national-league-4147514 |title='Sporting disgrace' – Chesterfield manager Paul Cook calls for more promotion places in National League |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |access-date=26 September 2023 |date=18 May 2023 |first=Liam |last=Norcliffe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518103558/https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/sporting-disgrace-chesterfield-manager-paul-cook-calls-for-more-promotion-places-in-national-league-4147514 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |url-status=live}} In February 2025, the 72 National League clubs wrote to the EFL to formally request an additional promotion and relegation place between the two leagues. Coverage of this referenced Notts County's experience, and Dagenham's managing director Steve Thompson cited it as a reason to support the change.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj91pn7r20wo |title='Drama unlike any movie' - Time for more promotion and relegation? |website=BBC Sport |access-date=7 February 2025 |date=7 February 2025 |first=Chris |last=Peddy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207160846/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cj91pn7r20wo |archive-date=7 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

Notts County's season-long rivalry with Wrexham was the focus of several episodes of season two of Welcome to Wrexham, the FX show documenting actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's takeover of the Red Dragons. Episode 2, titled "Nott Yet", focused on Notts County's 1–0 win over Wrexham in their first meeting of the season, while episode 12, "Hand of Foz", documented Wrexham's 3–2 win in the second and pivotal match.{{Cite episode |title=Hand of Foz |series=Welcome to Wrexham |first1=Drew |last1=Palombi |first2=Jeff |last2=Luini |first3=Aaron |last3=Lovell |network=FX |date=31 October 2023 |season=2}} The final episode, "Up the Town?", featured interviews with Luke Williams, John Bostock, Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott, and the episode ended with footage of Scott's promotion-winning penalty at Wembley.{{Cite episode |title=Up the Town? |series=Welcome to Wrexham |first1=Drew |last1=Palombi |first2=Jeff |last2=Luini |first3=Aaron |last3=Lovell |network=FX |date=14 November 2023 |season=2}} Scott described the latter as "a nice touch", drawing supportive comments from both McElhenney and Reynolds.{{cite news |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23927609.ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-support-notts-county-star/ |title=Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney support Notts County star |newspaper=Wrexham Leader |access-date=20 November 2023 |date=16 November 2023 |first=Arron |last=Evans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116132509/https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23927609.ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-support-notts-county-star/|archive-date=16 November 2023 |url-status=live}}

{{Notelist}}

Infobox kits

• Home colours: {{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65446453 |title=Notts County 3–2 Boreham Wood: Magpies win extra-time thriller to reach promotion final |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2023 |date=7 May 2023 |first=Andrew |last=Aloia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507173846/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65446453 |archive-date=7 May 2023 |url-status=live}}
• Away colours: {{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64436254 |title=Torquay United 1–2 Notts County |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 October 2023 |date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204235022/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64436254 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |url-status=live}}

General

{{Reflist}}

{{Notts County F.C. seasons}}

{{2022–23 in English men's football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2022-23 Notts County F.C. season}}

Notts County

Category:Notts County F.C. seasons