Magpies chairman offers club to local entrepreneur

The latest twist in the sale of Notts County has seen owner Ray Trew make an approach to a local entrepreneur to try and sell him the club.

According to reports, a representative of Trew has approached Alan Hardy, the owner of Paragon Interiors and the Nottinghamshire Golf Club, with a view to Hardy buying the Magpies.

It is rumoured that Hardy made two bids for Notts County earlier this year but was rebuffed by Trew who has been looking to sell the club for some time.

Alan Hardy

Trew first stood down as chairman in February, saying that abuse from “keyboard warriors” towards to his family was behind his decision.

Then, in March, he said that he had agreed a deal “in principle” to sell the club to a anonymous US consortium. It was around this time that it is thought Hardy made his bids for the club.

Hardy and Notts County were both unavailable for comment as we went to press.

However, earlier this year he told local press: “I would love to own Notts County and I would love the opportunity to take them on an amazing journey to, realistically, the Championship within the next five to six years.

“Thereafter we would need to review the business plan and business model to see if we could make the Premier League. I think the Championship is a realistic target.

“I still have a burning ambition to be involved in the club and I am hoping that it will be realised.

“One thing is for sure that the Notts County brand and the Notts County club has got enormous potential.

“They (the fans) are so passionate and so hungry for success. I think they are a sleeping giant and I think I can help deliver them to a place which is far more exciting than what they are seeing at the moment.”

County are currently 12th in League Two after a home draw with Crewe Alexandra at the weekend.