Exclusive: Notts County's Matt Palmer Talks Wembley Memories and Promotion-laden CV

Matt Palmer has revealed the tough decision to drop to the National League with Notts County was vindicated by their magical Wembley promotion — and now he wants to help lead the club into League One for the first time in a decade.

The midfielder was one of the stars as the Magpies returned to the Football League, at the fourth time of asking, via the play-offs at Wembley in 2023.

Palmer has written his name in County folklore having made over 100 appearances for the club, but dropping from League One to non-league in 2021 was not a decision he took lightly.

“I knew I was going to a big club in terms of the history. Even for League Two they’re too big for that really,” the Magpies’ captain told SportsBoom.com. 

“The promotion was brilliant to be a part of. Coming to Notts was the first time I’ve played in the National League in my career.” 

“It was a difficult choice to drop out of the league. I found it very difficult. But coming to Notts made it much easier.” 

“When you’re involved at Notts as a club and basically having a head-to-head battle with Wrexham was amazing to be a part of.”

“They beat us to the title, but we got promoted through the play-offs. It’s an easy thing to say, but if you could guarantee getting promoted you would do the play-offs. It was nervy, but we got there in the end.”

“I obviously spoke to the then manager, but the way Notts do it it doesn’t necessarily matter on the manager, they want to play a certain style of football regardless.”

“The Chairman is very into his stats. As a centre midfielder, the style of football very much suits me. I could show my best week in and week out. I’ve played higher where you’ve been at teams that are higher in the league, but I personally found it very difficult because they played a different way.”

“There have been teams where they hit the channels a lot more and it’s more about second balls. It’s part of football, but it’s not the strength of my game.”

“It made it a lot easier knowing I was coming to a club that plays a good style of football.”

Palmer Proud of CV And Hungry For More

Despite only being 29, Palmer has had success at every permanent club he has played at and is proud to boast a CV which includes five promotions.

He was part of the special group at Burton Albion, which secured back-to-back promotions to jump from League Two to the Championship between 2014-2016.

Palmer then secured a second promotion to the second tier via the play-offs with Rotherham United in 2018 before winning League Two with Swindon Town in 2020 before the famous County Wembley triumph. 

“I have been fortunate to play in some good teams,” added the skipper. “I’ve got promoted from every league I’ve played in minus the Championship.”

“I’m very grateful to a lot of the clubs I’ve played for giving me the opportunity to be in teams fighting for promotion.” 

“I feel like a player who’s used to being in those pressure situations. Each week if you lose you might not get promoted because you need to keep winning.”

“I’ve been fortunate and loved getting five promotions. A lot of people won’t get that in their career. I’ve loved it.” 

“I’m not a young lad anymore, I’ve played almost 400 times, I know what it takes and I think the type of person I am I’m pretty calm about stuff.”