Notts County striker Martin Paterson has revealed an unconventional yet focused approach to preparing for the League Two play-off final against Chesterfield at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Martin Paterson will trade traditional training drills for chopping trees and blasting country music to sharpen his mindset for the high-stakes match.

Paterson, 34, told BBC Sport that the physical labor and music help him block out distractions and channel his energy into the game. “I’ve been chopping trees in the garden—it’s a good way to clear my head and stay sharp,” he said. “And when I need to relax, I put on some country music. It’s all about finding what works for me.”

Notts County, managed by Mark Draper, secured their place in the play-offs after finishing fourth in League Two. Their opponents, Chesterfield, finished fifth and will face them in the final. A win would earn Notts County promotion to League One, while Chesterfield aim to return to the third tier after relegation last season.

Draper has praised Paterson’s dedication, calling his routine “a testament to his professionalism.” He added, “Every player has their own way of preparing. If chopping trees and listening to country helps Martin, that’s what he’ll do. We just need the whole squad focused and ready on Sunday.”

The play-off final is a rematch of the 2015 League Two play-off semi-final, which Notts County lost 3-2 on aggregate to Chesterfield. Paterson was on the scoresheet in both legs but hopes this time will be different. “We’ve got another crack at them, and this time we’re going to win it,” he said.

Wembley Stadium, which holds over 90,000 fans, will host the showpiece event. Ticket demand has surged, with both sets of supporters expected to turn out in large numbers. Last year’s final drew over 35,000 Notts County fans, and organizers anticipate a similar turnout.

For Paterson, the stakes are high. At 34, this could be his last chance to play at Wembley, a venue he’s never graced before. “It’s a dream come true just to be here,” he said. “I want to make sure I give everything for the fans and the club.”

Regardless of the result, the play-off final marks a significant moment for both clubs. For Notts County, it’s a chance to return to League One after an eight-year absence. For Chesterfield, it’s an opportunity to bounce back from last season’s disappointment.

Sunday’s kickoff at 3pm BST will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with fans urged to tune in for what promises to be a tense and dramatic encounter.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC Sport
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 09:08 UTC
  • Category: Sports
  • Topics: #bbc · #sports · #football · #chopping · #paterson · #wembley-martin-paterson

Read the Full Story

This is a curated summary. For the complete article, original data, quotes and full analysis:

Read the full story on BBC Sport →

All reporting rights belong to the respective author(s) at BBC Sport. GlobalBR News summarizes publicly available content to help readers discover the most relevant global news.

Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

No último sábado, o atacante do Notts County, Martin Paterson, chamou atenção ao revelar uma rotina nada convencional para se preparar para a grande final dos playoffs da League Two no lendário Estádio Wembley: cortar árvores e ouvir música sertaneja. A estratégia inusitada, que pode soar estranha para muitos, ganhou repercussão justamente por mostrar como atletas buscam formas alternativas de concentração e motivação em momentos decisivos.

A preparação de Paterson não passou despercebida no Brasil, onde a cultura do futebol muitas vezes associa concentração a rituais mais convencionais, como meditação ou exercícios táticos. Para os torcedores brasileiros, acostumados a ver craques como Neymar ou Messi com rotinas de treino meticulosas, a abordagem do jogador inglês soa como um sopro de originalidade. Além disso, a música sertaneja, um gênero tipicamente brasileiro, acaba aproximando a história do público local, mesmo que o contexto seja outro esporte.

Se a estratégia de Paterson dará certo no maior palco do futebol inglês, só o tempo dirá, mas uma coisa é certa: ele mostrou que, às vezes, o caminho para a vitória pode estar em lugares inesperados.