Notts County, Juventus relationship was solidified by 2019 incident: View | OneFootball

Juventus' offer to pay for Notts County's kits in 2019 returned a favour from over 100 years ago.

Back in the summer of 2019, with Notts County in dire financial trouble, Juventus made a heartwarming offer that ensured a relationship that has spanned over 100 years continued to live on.

The world’s oldest professional football club had been relegated out of the Football League for the first time in their history, having featured in every single edition of the EFL since its inception in 1888. They were also caught in financial trouble that saw them come within a few weeks of facing administration, or worse.

With Notts unable to pay for their new kits for the upcoming 2019/20 season, Juventus offered to return a favour from 1903 and pay for new shirts for the Magpies.

It was an offer that showed that the relationship between the two clubs is continuing to stand the test of time, despite the pair playing at completely contrasting levels of football.

Juventus’ offer renewed the relationship between the two clubs

Notts ultimately had to reject the offer as they were legally bound to their agreement with Puma and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli had arranged the deal through their own kit supplier Adidas.

After the timely takeover from current owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz, Notts escaped liquidation and ultimately were able to pay for their new kits in time for the opening game of their season away at Eastleigh.

While Notts didn’t need to take the Old Lady up on their offer, it definitely served to renew the strength of a relationship that began more than a century ago.

Juventus, who played in pink for the first years of their history, were looking to change colours and in 1903, they turned to Nottingham-born Tom Savage, one of their players at the time, to provide them with new kits.

Savage was a Notts fan and arranged for a set of black and white shirts to be sent over and Juventus have worn the colours ever since.

The Magpies had previously travelled to Turin to open Juventus’ new stadium in 2011 when a late Lee Hughes goal cancelled out Luca Toni’s opener and ensured Notts earned a draw against a side that featured all of Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, and Andrea Pirlo on the night.

Notts were treated with the utmost respect by their hosts, who chartered a plane for the team to fly over on, as well as putting them up in a five-star hotel.

Neil Bishop, who captained Martin Allen's side that night, said after the game: “It was a special night to be a part of. There were a few butterflies in the stomach during the opening ceremony but we’re very proud of the performance and the result. It was a wonderful experience."

Fans are keen to ensure the relationship is maintained

In the aftermath of that clash in 2011, fans of both clubs came together to organise a new supporters group in Turin called the Italian Magpies.

Established in 2012, the Italian Magpies and their Two Hearts One Club slogan symbolise the bond between the two clubs and the group have since travelled over for a number of Notts games to show their support.

They even played a friendly hosted at local Nottingham club Carlton Town in May 2023.

Two teams, made up of fans from both clubs competed for the Tom Savage Memorial Trophy, in order to raise money for the Nottingham mental health charity Bottled Up Blokes.

While relationships like this ultimately don’t mean a great deal in football, it’s clear that despite now being a super club who are known worldwide and have won countless trophies, the Old Lady haven’t forgotten the people who helped them along the way.

And from Notts’ point of view, that 2019 gesture, even if it ultimately was in vain, served as a timely reminder of the affection the club has from other parts of the footballing world, at a time when it was in desperate need of help.