The new football season kicks off in less than four weeks and yet supporters
of Notts County are still no clearer about the situation at Meadow Lane.

After thirteen months the Magpies remain in administration, and the
consortium headed by Raj Bhatia and Frank Strang, which aims to buy the
oldest football league club still hasn’t finalised the deal.

A number of deadlines for completing the takeover and regaining Notts County
’s membership to the Football League have been passed, causing anxiety
amongst fans who are losing patience and confidence in the prospective new
owners.

Having raised supporters’ expectations with propositions of squad
strengthening, pre-season training in the Dolomites, loan signings from
Juventus, and additions to the coaching staff, the prospective new owners
have subsequently lowered their media profile and passed on relatively
little information about the current situation.

Since its inception, the Notts County Supporters Trust – which represents
over twenty per cent of the core fan base – has highlighted the lack of
direct communication between the prospective new owners and the club’s moral
owners, the supporters.

To this end, the Trust has reached an agreement with Raj Bhatia and Frank
Strang to answer questions, which reflect members’ interests and key
concerns. Full replies will be posted on the Notts County Supporters Trust
website (http://www.nottscotrust.org.uk/) as soon as they are received.

Trust Chair, Dr David Hindley said “traditionally supporter loyalty has
often brought poor returns; too often supporters have been the last
consideration of football club directors. It is time for change.

Supporters hold the key to the future of Notts County, but they are often
isolated from the running of the club. The more enlightened football clubs
know it is in their commercial interest to value their supporters and
involve them in the affairs of the club.

The Trust is striving to make the prospective new owners more accountable to
the interests of fans. To date we have held a series of meetings with Sam
McEwan, spokesperson for the Bhatia and Strang consortium, where we have
discussed their plans for Meadow Lane, the takeover process and the ticket
pricing structure amongst other issues.

We will continue to strengthen the voice of supporters and promote regular
dialogue between the club, its fans and the community.”

[This message was edited by Nigel King on Tue 15 July 2003 at 06:42 PM.]

[This message was edited by Nigel King on Thu 17 July 2003 at 07:09 PM.]