Notts County have announced that head coach Luke Williams has signed a new contract, which commits him to the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Williams was appointed Magpies boss after predecessor Ian Burchnall departed the club following the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.
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Time at the club
Williams arrived at Meadow Lane having only previously called himself first-team manager once before, at Swindon Town.
His 17-month stint at the helm of the Robins wasn't a particularly successful one, leaving the club following relegation in May 2017. Over 75 matches, the 42-year-old could only manage a 26.7% win rate.
Apart from his time at Swindon, Williams had filled in as assistant at both Swansea City and MK Dons, as well as a coach for Brighton and Bristol City's youth sides.
That made it an interesting appointment from Notts County, when he arrived alongside assistant Ryan Harley back in June 2022.
However, he soon got the fans onside, as the Magpies held an impressive eight-game unbeaten start to the Vanarama National League season.
With the deadly striking duo of Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott amongst their ranks, there was to be no stopping Williams' high-flying County.
A 3-1 defeat at Dorking Wanderers seemed to be just a minor blip, as Notts overturned that scoreline with following consecutive 3-1 victories over York and Altrincham.
Focus in the National League was very much at the top of the table, where an intense title fight between them and big spenders Wrexham seemed to be getting underway.
A win over the Dragons could turn out to be crucial come the end of the season, though Wembley wasn't to be on the cards due to FA Cup embarrassment at the hands of lower-league opposition in Coalville Town.
Again, Williams' second loss at the helm was just another slip-up, with an instant reply from the Mapgies, scoring 13 goals across the next three matches to extend their impressive form to seven unbeaten.
The unbeaten run continued through December and into the new year - County now just edge it in the title race, leading Wrexham by three points, however the Welsh side have two games in hand.
All in all, Williams' appointment can't be classed as anything less than a smart move, which has resulted in an incredible impact.
The Magpies not only top the league in terms of points, but also based on goals, boasting 69 goals in 27 matches.
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Williams' Words
Upon signing a new contract which lasts until the conclusion of the 2026/27 season, the highly-respected manager gave his thoughts to the club media: “As a manager or head coach, it can be incredibly difficult to find a club that closely matches your own philosophy and values,” he said.
“I feel very fortunate to have found that here, particularly so early in my career, and I’m so pleased that Chris and Alex (Reedtz, owners) have put their faith in Ryan (Harley) and me.
“We should all be proud of the work we’ve done so far, but I feel it’s important to stress that we’re only six months into our journey together and I know that we’re only going to get stronger.
“The foundations Chris and Alex have laid for this club are phenomenal and I’m honoured to be the person they want to lead the team at this very important juncture in the club’s history.
“It would mean the world to me to be part of the collective effort to take Notts back into the EFL – and the prospect of what we could go on to achieve from there is incredibly exciting.
“For now, though, as clichéd as it sounds, our focus has to be on the next match and helping the players maintain the superb levels they have consistently produced so far this season.”
Notts County owners Chris and Alex Reedtz also spoke on the matter: “We have been hugely impressed with Luke both as a head coach and a colleague,” they said.
“On the pitch, he has been delivering amazing results and consistently enjoyable performances, which is the combination every football club strives for.
“Away from the field, the board enjoy a very healthy and constructive relationship with Luke and his staff which we believe is helping to take the club to another level.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Luke and Ryan for their fantastic work so far. We’re very excited to see what the future holds with them at the helm.”