South African consortium confirms Notts County bid

The South African consortium vying to become the new owner of Notts County has tabled a bid for the Club, it has been confirmed.

The move comes after Notts County were relegated to the National League for the first time at the end of last season.

Speaking through its lawyer, the consortium told BBC Radio Nottingham: “I can confirm that we made an offer [for the club] on Friday. We look forward to completing the takeover as swiftly as possible.

“Terry Pritchard, who is advising the consortium, met with Alan Hardy to discuss the finer detail of the offer. There is a genuine desire by the consortium to conclude matters ASAP, to attract players to the club in time for pre-season.”

A second consortium, thought to be made up of London-based property developers and headed by Alex May, is also interested in the Magpies, who were put up for sale in January by owner and chairman Alan Hardy.

The sale news comes days Notts County owner Alan Hardy has said he now regrets buying the club – despite the fact he was always confident that the Magpies would escape relegation from the Football League.

Notts, a founder member of the Football League in 1888, will begin next season in the National League after disastrous season that saw the Club employ three managers and finish in 23rd place in League Two.

He said: “It is 51-49 call and I have to just come down on the side of regretting it.

“I expected the next two years of my life to be a successful, fun-filled adventure but it was the wrong sort of adventure with the demise of Paragon and Notts County’s relegation.

“It has been a horrendous six months – the worst of my life.

“On paper it has cost me £35m. My wife is not happy – she didn’t want me to buy Notts County in the first place. We all know money can’t buy you success, but it normally gives you a pretty good chance of it.”

Notts County are favourites to bounce straight back to the Football League next season, according to the bookies.