Magpies owner dismisses PUMA debt story as ‘nonsense’
Notts County owner Alan Hardy has dismissed reports that the club owes kit provider PUMA a six-figure fee as “nonsense”.
Reports late last month outlined that Magpies players had returned to pre-season training wearing last season’s kit and that the club owed hundreds of thousands of pounds to the sportswear giant, which was refusing to send a new kit until the bill was settled.
However, speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com, Notts County owner Alan Hardy, said this isn’t the case.
“It’s a non-story,” said Hardy. “There is no outstanding balance from last season’s kit at all. I have an excellent working relationship with PUMA and they’ve served the club very well.”
An email seen by TheBusinessDesk.com and sent to Notts County football operations director Jason Turner says: “I can confirm receipy of the £10,000 payment yesterday, many thanks. This clears payment due in relation to products for the 2018/19 season.”
Hardy told us the email was received “weeks ago”.
When asked why Notts players were still wearing last season’s training kit, Hardy said: “The new kit is ready in the warehouse and ready to be delivered when the new owner takes over the club and makes a payment for it.”
Earlier this week, Hardy released a statement aimed at easing fans’ fears that the club wouldn’t be sold before it is due to face a winding up petition in the High Court on 10 July.
The statement read: “I am very pleased to say that, following hugely constructive talks today and over the weekend, I am extremely confident that a sale will be completed ahead of our upcoming court hearing on 10 July.”
“Conversations with a group who I am certain have Notts’ footballing fortunes at heart are now at an advanced stage and I am sure supporters will be delighted to hear their plans for the club.”
Hardy also said that he was no longer in talks with a consortium led by convicted fraudster Alex May, but that he couldn’t reveal who he is negotiating with.
