NOTTS' PERFECT TURNER TRIBUTE

RESILIENT MAGPIES SHOW THEIR SPIRIT

- Matt Badcock

HIGH up in the Wembley stands, a huge banner of Notts County’s late CEO Jason Turner was spread over several rows of seats looking down on Luke Williams’ side.

The much-loved Turner passed away suddenly at the end of March, aged just 50. In the days since, Williams, his players and the club as a whole have mourned together, regaled stories and explained how his fingerprints are all over everything they do.

Williams hasn’t been shy to admit they have tried to harness any positive energy they can out of the desperately sad situation. A framed picture of him was proudly held aloft during their trophy celebrations on the pitch.

Promotion for Jason has been a key theme running through them ever since. How they did just that.

Recovering from what would have undeniably been a disappointment at not winning the title despite racking up a remarkable 107 points, this promotion has been as much about their resilience as it has been about the new levels head coach Williams has taken them to this season.

Before the Easter Monday showdown with Wrexham – a game they lost 3-2 after former England international Ben Foster saved a stoppage-time penalty from Cedwyn Scott – Williams revealed a frank team meeting had seen him remind his players nobody has ever been on an open-top bus sulking they hadn’t won the title. Promotion was the only aim, no matter how it came.