Juventus - Notts County (14 Viewers)

[Suns]

An open letter to Juventus from Notts County supporters.

"When the Juventus versus Notts County fixture was announced, the Notts supporters as a collective unit were amazed.

We are obviously well aware of the role we played in your club’s history, it’s a fact that we’re very proud of actually. But it never really sank in how much our small club meant to Juventus. Your fans descended on our Facebook page and message boards and spoke of us with incredible affection and sincerity. We never tired of reading your messages, and we began to dream that we could come to Italy and live up to your expectations of us.

Our supporters arrived in Turin throughout the week, before Thursday stories were already coming through of the welcomes you had been giving us. The excitement built right up until Thursday when I arrived myself with a number of friends. We checked into our hotel, and made our way to your stadium as quickly as we possibly could.

When it came into view, it gave us goosebumps – such a magnificent arena for you to play football in. We instantly felt inadequate, not worthy of such an occasion. We made our way to the merchandise stalls outside, and were amazed as we were asked to pose for photographs with many of you.

Here in England, people look down at our club, it’s supporters, and it’s players. We’re just not used to such welcomes! The friendly greetings both outside and inside the stadium are something we’ll never forget!

From our seats in block 231 we watched the opening ceremonies. Our jaws were on the floor literally the entire time! We’ve only ever seen such events from our televisions – seeing one like that was fantastic. The array of club legends paraded was something truly special, it only confirmed our suspicions that we weren’t worthy of such an event.

When the dust settled and we saw our players make their way onto the field we had come to accept the fact that we wouldn’t mind if we lost by four or fives goals. If felt as if you, our hosts were all that mattered to us on this night and we wanted you to enjoy the whole night. You deserved it.

What happened on the field for us was astounding though. We watched a very enjoyable game of football. There are no words for the pride we felt as both sides played their part in an intriguing match. We sang our Wheelbarrow Song and were applauded by those around us. We just weren’t used to this!

We felt great happiness when Luca Toni was the man to score the first goal at your arena, we smiled and shared handshakes with your supporters around us. The moment just felt right.

The final chapter of the game is something we can never be allowed to forget. When Lee Hughes scored in front of your south stand, we were jubilant, this was a surreal moment that we didn’t think we’d get to experience. What happened next was just incredible – as those behind the goal rose to their feet to applaud our team. Moments like this so rarely happen in football – and certainly never for our little team. I stood open-mouthed at the sight. It’s something that in years to come I will share with my children and grand-children.

Upon the final whistle we were congratulated by the Juve fans around us. It felt like we’d been making friends all night but we were happy for this to continue!

I have sent a photo with this letter of Lewis Jackson, the youngest person in our party. He is pictured with a young Juventus fan he met after the final whistle. These are part of the next generation of Notts County and Juventus fans who must never be allowed to forget the truly historic occasion that they were witness to. We feel humbled that your think so much of our club, in the future will be sure to let our future generations know of that night!

Two clubs, one soul, one unforgettable evening.

We came home with our scarves and flags, and waved them with immense pride today when we won 2-1 against Walsall at our Meadow Lane. The whole Kop Stand (our version of your south stand) sang “It’s Just Like Watching Juve” louder than we ever have before. We can’t make as much noise as your fans do, but we’ll keep trying!

Thank you to the supporters, players and officials of Juventus FC. You took us in like family and gave us the most incredible experience of our lives. We are forever in your debt! You are a fantastic club, and we cannot wait for the day we can share our stadium with you!

FORZA JUVE!!”

Claudio Zuliani answered:

"Brothers of jersey from Notts County,
having you with us at the opening of our new home was a romantic and historic moment at the same time.
The new stadium celebrates our history and launches Juventus in a European dimension from an economic and sports point of view .
In a world that no longer provides barriers, where the free flow of ideas at the speed of light thanks to the web, the thought that our friendly would have had an affectionate and ancient taste reminding to the youngsters the true origin of the Black and White jersey has galvanized our memory.

Thursday September 8, 2011 is a date that will remain imprinted in the minds, eyes and hearts of Juventus fans.

Never in Italy we had seen a show like this … never in Italy a football club was able to overcome the bureaucracy of our system and to build his house.
Never imagined thst we would be able to play football at home, without barriers, with all amenities and in the best condition to return to fill a stadium of young people and families.

Our dream has come true and you have witnessed that.

Thursday, September 8th is a historic date, a date that changes the Italian football, a date that is changing and changes the way our fans will live matches .

At the same stadium, side by side with the opposition fans, the English.
Fans who have given a sense of peace to the conscience, who moved to tears remembering our victims, who have rejoiced at the historic goal of their striker, who exchanged scarves, who took photos memories of our and your children.
Fans who are proud to sing at their goals : “It’s like watching Juve”.

Notts County fans, it was a magical and unforgettable night, also thanks to you: when sport breaks down barriers and allows to overcome the differences and grievances.
With this spirit, our doors have been and will always remain open for people like you who knows the value of the word “supporter”.

We were 41,000, united in the festivity, united by sport.
When a team meets her history takes it under her arm and takes it home.
Good luck and good football, Juventus friends.

by:Claudio Zuliani -Mediaset Premium commentator – Juventus Football Club 1897 games."

 

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[Salvo]

I had tears in my eyes when I was reading the Nott's fan's story. Amazing night, I am happy we drew, they deserved it. I wish them the best of luck.

 

[Fint]

Three lifelong Notts County supporters are returning to Italy two months after the Magpies played a historic friendly against Juventus to strengthen the friendship between fans of the two clubs.

Malcolm Voce, the Supporters Liaison Officer for Notts, and Lisa and Andy Black are travelling back to Turin this weekend to present a special flag from the Notts County Supporters Club to fans of the Italian giants.

They will also be given a flag by fans of Juventus to bring back to Meadow Lane.

"It was such a great honour for Notts to play Juventus and it was one of the most memorable days in my 50 years of being a Notts supporter," said Malcolm.

"It will be great to go back and see some of the friends we met.

"We will be presenting a flag that the Supporters Club has had specially made on behalf of all Magpies fans and bringing one back to Meadow Lane as a sign of the friendship between fans of the two clubs."

 

[Jem83]

Notts County. Such a sweet club. Now they want us to take part in their 150th anniversary. I really hope we accept the invitation.

http://af.reuters.com/article/sport...=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews&rpc=401

 

[ZoSo]

Wasn't there some agreement that we play them too?

 

[Elvin]

They brought us luck this season

 

[Jem83]

Wasn't there some agreement that we play them too?

Not sure

 

[ZoSo]

I'm pretty sure I remember one being discussed.

 

[Salvatore]

Read this thread from page 70.

 

[.AB.]

 

[swag]

That would be an awesome gesture. Absolutely we should celebrate with Notts County.

---------- Post added 09.05.2012 at 08:46 ----------

Notts County. Such a sweet club. Now they want us to take part in their 150th anniversary. I really hope we accept the invitation.

http://af.reuters.com/article/sport...=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews&rpc=401

@

"In many respects our 150th anniversary could not have come at a worse time because the European Championships and the Olympics have complicated our plans, but I guess when the guys formed the club in 1862 they were not thinking this far ahead."

 

[Hust]

 

[Enron]

Cam, Juve is playing in DC.

 

[JCK]

The replied to my tweet that they love Turin and would love to play us every season in a friendly.

---------- Post added 09.05.2012 at 21:29 ----------

They even called us pies



Jack Haddad ‏ @JCK_GBG
@Hashim0307 Notts County should be a yearly event. The Awesome Cup. #ForzaJuve Forza @Official_NCFC

Hashim ‏ @Hashim0307
@JCK_GBG @Official_NCFC That would be a nice tradition!

Notts County FC ‏ @Official_NCFC
@Hashim0307 @JCK_GBG We agree. We loved visiting your beautiful city Turin. Forza Juve! You Pies!

 

[Jem83]

 

[Marty]

Hehe sweet

 

[AFL_ITALIA]

"Pies"?

 

[Juventino[RUS]]

"Pies"?

Notts County aka Magpies
Magpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.
In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia. That bird was referred to as a "pie" until the late 16th century when the feminine name "mag" was added to the beginning.
Magpies are believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals: the European Magpie is one of the few animal species known to be able to recognize itself in a mirror test.

 

[Luca]

I will surely be there since I live just a few mins away from Meadow Lane

 

[AFL_ITALIA]

Notts County aka Magpies
Magpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.
In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia. That bird was referred to as a "pie" until the late 16th century when the feminine name "mag" was added to the beginning.
Magpies are believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals: the European Magpie is one of the few animal species known to be able to recognize itself in a mirror test.

I see, thank you. England's a strange place .