Notts County confirm impressive ticket update ahead of Salford City play-off final | OneFootball

Notts County face Salford City at Wembley and have already confirmed an impressive ticket update ahead of the League Two play-off final...

Notts County will face Salford City in the League Two play-off final at Wembley in a week's time, with a place in League One at stake for the players and supporters.

Chesterfield lost to Notts County in one leg of the play-offs, while Salford City won in extra time against Grimsby Town to seal their place at Wembley. It sets up a game between fourth and fifth in League Two.

Salford won both fixtures 2-1 in the regular season, with both teams missing out on automatic promotion narrowly to Cambridge United. However, it will almost certainly be a tight affair on Monday 25th May.

County have not played in League One since 2015, but Salford have never played in English football’s third tier. The highest level they have reached is League Two, which they were promoted to in 2019 after winning the National League play-off final under Graham Alexander.

Notts County begin ticket sales for League Two play-off final vs Salford City

Before their rapid rise through the divisions following the involvement of the “Class of ’92” ownership group, Salford spent the vast majority of their history in non-league football. Their rise has culminated in more fans through the turnstiles but they are up against one of League Two's largest clubs.

Alongside the likes of Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town, Notts County are one of the most historic clubs outside of the top three tiers. The vast majority of their history has been spent in either the third or second tier, which is why they will be bringing the numbers to Wembley.

Notts are the oldest professional club in the country, having been founded in 1862. Fans will be hoping to see a return to League One after tasting play-off promotion at Wembley in 2023 as well. That is why they have already sold numerous tickets.

They have announced on X (formerly Twitter) that they have already sold 5,000 tickets in the first hour of priority sale. There will be more to come yet in Wembley's 90,000 capacity stadium.

For last year's final between Walsall and AFC Wimbledon, there was just shy of 51,000 in attendance. Can Salford vs Notts top that this year?

League Two promotion will mean plenty to Salford City and Notts County

For both clubs, promotion will mean a lot. They will be playing against the likes of Leicester City next season, but securing a place from League Two to League One is hugely important both financially and competitively for clubs aiming to progress up the English football pyramid as a whole, too.

Reaching the third tier brings greater visibility, improved sponsorship opportunities, and larger broadcast revenues. But it also helps clubs attract a higher calibre of player and staff. The standard of football generally improves significantly, with bigger crowds and better atmospheres.

Salford have come close numerous times now, while Notts will feel they belong in at least the third tier. Both are ambitious sides, but promotion to League One can also provide momentum for further growth on and off the pitch. This could be an opportunity to have eyes on the Championship.

Remaining stuck in League Two for prolonged periods can become difficult financially due to tighter budgets and lower revenues, making upward progression crucial for clubs hoping to develop sustainably. League One is often viewed as a major stepping stone towards establishing a club as an EFL mainstay. So much is at stake in a week's time.