Notts County placed under transfer embargo

The traumatic tale of Notts County’s 2015-16 season has taken another dismal twist with the news that the club has been landed with a transfer embargo.

The news, which comes at a time when the club is searching for its ninth manager in three years, means that any potential squad building for next season will have to wait until the embargo is lifted.

Jason Turner, the Magpies chief executive, said: “It is not unusual for creditor payments to be extended whilst discussions are ongoing with potential investors. I can confirm that all outstanding liabilities to HMRC were settled prior to the original court date in April and no monies are currently overdue.

“Football League rules state that clubs failing to meet HMRC payments or football creditor debts on time are automatically temporarily embargoed until such time as these payments are settled.

“We are currently in the process of scheduling due payments to ensure that the club can re-engage with out of contract players and enhance the squad when the new manager is appointed.”

Meanwhile, Turner confirmed that the sale of the club by its owners Ray and Aileen Trew is still ongoing, but is not about to happen any time soon.

He added: “It is my understanding that discussions and negotiations have not progressed as quickly as the owners had previously envisaged. Talks with interested parties do remain ongoing, however, the need to find a genuine party with the right vision, skillset and resources remains their priority.

“As such it is business as usual for me and my staff until we hear otherwise, and we will continue to prepare for the 2016/17 season as a club would for any other.”

Notts finished 17th in League 2 this season, a position that Turner called: “disappointing and unacceptable.”