‘Visionary’ Notts County chairman dies

Derek Pavis, the man who transformed Notts County’s Meadow Lane ground into a modern stadium, has died aged 87.

Pavis was one of the most successful Notts County chairmen. He took control in June 1987 and was at the helm for 13 years before deciding, when he reached his 70th birthday, it was time to step aside.

In 1989 he hired Neil Warnock, then manager of Scarborough, to take charge of team affairs. Bankrolled by his chairman’s money, Warnock assembled a squad of players which, uniquely in the game, achieved successive promotions through Wembley play-off finals to reach the old First Division in 1991.

Perhaps Pavis’s lasting legacy was the rebuilding of the Meadow Lane stadium, transforming it into an antiquated relic into a modern ground. Three stands were demolished in the 1992 close season alone, while the Main Stand was rebuilt two year late and named after Pavis.

He remained a regular visitor to Notts games until earlier this year when struck by what turned out to be his final illness.

After an illness, his condition worsened on Friday and he died in the Queen’s Medical Centre.

Notts chairman and owner Alan Hardy said: “I am very, very sad to hear of the passing of the great Derek Pavis.

“He was a wonderful man and a tremendous servant of Notts County Football Club.

“I can only aspire to get close to being the wonderful man Derek was – a visionary and an outstanding leader and chairman.”