Notts County owner Alan Hardy ‘very reluctantly’ puts club up for sale

Notts County’s owner, Alan Hardy, has “very reluctantly” announced he has put the League Two club up for sale after “considerable soul-searching”.

The businessman, who is known as ‘Big Alan’, bought the club in 2017 but has seen them sink to the foot of the Football League under his stewardship. Hardy’s announcement came hours after he had apologised for posting an intimate picture on Twitter.

“After considerable soul-searching I no longer feel I can continue as the owner of Notts County Football Club,” he said in a statement on Sunday evening.

“I would like to make it clear from the outset that the club’s current league position is not a factor in this decision, nor are any of the events which have unfolded in the media this weekend.

“Everyone at Meadow Lane remains staunchly committed to preserving our proud status as the world’s oldest Football League club and, until a new buyer is found, I will continue to support that aim.

“The truth is, my efforts to restore Notts County’s fortunes over the last two years mean my other businesses have had to take a back seat. They are now in need of my full attention.”

Hardy revealed he has already “held talks with two interested parties” over selling the club and promised to “keep fans informed of any future developments when appropriate”.

source: theguardian.com