Notts Olympic - 100 Years In The Making

On Saturday 16/09/2023. The newly reformed Notts Olympic will play their 1st home game in over 100 years. 

To look on from the outside. This is just a new team who play their football in The Notts Senior League Division 2. However with an historic name and a modern way of doing things. Notts Olympic are a little bit different. One of the original clubs for organised football with games dating back to 1882. In 1884 Notts Olympic competed in their 1st ever FA Cup match losing 2-0 to Notts County. With a goal of playing in the famous cup competition again. 

Notts Olympic player Herbert Kilpin may not ever have been a household name around Nottingham but while working in the textile trade in Italy. He was one of the founders of the Italian giant now known as AC Milan. 

Ahead of their 1st home game in over 100 years. I spoke with Danny from Notts Olympic discussing all thing Notts Olympic. 

A club that has a fine history linked with one of Italy's biggest clubs. Where did the idea come from to reform Notts Olympic?

We love how the non-league pyramid is set up. But we wanted to be a little different. The history of Notts Olympic is something we’ve been interested in for a long time. We have read articles on the club, Herbert Kilpin and his history with NOFC and AC Milan.

We feel that sometimes, supporters are left out of decisions at football clubs and are often kept in the dark on what is actually happening with their club. Therefore, we implemented the virtual boardroom, where supporters can help support the club financially, but also have a say on the running of the club.

On September 16th you have your 1st league game in over 100 years. Just how much of an effort has it been since reforming the history Notts Olympic club?

It really doesn’t sink in how much of an effort it takes to re-form a club until you’re in the middle of it, when you’ve ticked off another task on the list that seems to never end. Within 3 months we had multiple showcase matches which allowed us to recruit players, social media pages up and running, a board room with some great enthusiastic people in, two kits, a home ground, FA affiliation, a league to play in and our first season back with Notts Olympic.

Notts Olympics' fixture graphic for Saturday

With a long term target of reaching The FA Cup again. Does the club have a path in sight in what time frame you would like to achieve this?

The FA Cup for us is the most prestigious competition in English football. The idea of a small team of amateurs have the chance, albeit an incredibly small chance, of Manchester United away at Old Trafford is something that us football fans love.

We understand that to even be in with a chance of competing in the FA Cup, there’s quite a few things we still need to do. There’s ground grading standards that need to be achieved, including dugouts, perimeter fencing, spectator barriers, toilets, a clubhouse just to name a few.

We wouldn’t like to burden ourselves with a deadline for this. Thankfully we are in the position where we have help from some amazing people, who can help guide us and one day, hopefully make us an FA Cup competing side once again.

Notts Olympics' collectors edition programme for Saturday featuring Herbert Kilpin

Notts Olympic are a historic name with a modern way. With Patreon's at different levels. How much will this kind of support help club growth? And what benefits can Patreon's get?

Our Patreon helps the club massively. Not only does it create a source of revenue for the club, but it also gives passionate football fans a voice, a vote and ultimately a decision. At the moment, we have some amazing supporters, at the “casual supporter”, “board member” and “club legend” levels. We have even got Patreon supporters from Denmark and Italy.

The great thing about a virtual board is that football fans all over the world can get involved. Our board room is active, with regular discussions on games, merchandise, local grounds and even general chats about football and life.

We’re very fortunate to have supporters who not only like to invest their time following the club, but also pay a monthly subscription to support the club financially. Our supporters have a range of knowledge and expertise and have been a huge help so far in this journey to bringing the club back.

A home secured at Gallows playing fields, A club that many football fans will want to see in action. What kind of welcome would supporters get from the club if they came to watch Notts Olympic?

We’re expecting a good crowd for the level for our first home game on Saturday 16th September. A programme is being produced as we speak and we are holding discussions with local pubs to arrange for players and spectators to enjoy some chip butties and a pint after the game.

Should you want to get involved with Notts Olympic, you can join their Patreon here https://www.patreon.com/NottsOlympicFootballClub

Thank you Danny & everyone at Notts Olympic for your time and letting me tell a bit of your story so far and what you are looking to achieve. Best of luck with this coming Saturday. I hope you get a bumper crowd. 

I will certainly be looking out for your results as well as coming down for a game in the future. 

Until the next one, 

Peace, 

Luke @PL2NL