Duo Resign From The Trust

Both John and Cheryl played a major roll in setting up the trust, and have both worked tirelessly for many hours on the trust which has now secured well over 1,000 members, a fantastic achivement.

We thank both of them for their services over the last few months.

David Hindley has stepped in as the new Interim Chairman of the Notts County Supporters Trust until the formal elections, which take place later in 2003.

John Thornhill released the following personal statement earlier today regarding his resignation from the Supporters Trust:

"Notts County has been a major and passionate part of my life for the past 36 years and the reason why I became involved in the Supporters Trust and before that the Snag organisation. On both occasions I felt it was important to actually do something about the predicaments that the club was in to seek to help. Over the past few days however, it has been made clear to me that the Bhatia / Strang partnership appear to have issues with my leadership of the Trust. I would never seek to do anything to harm our club, as the survival of Notts is far more important to me than any personal involvement. Consequently I regretfully confirm my resignation announced last night from the interim board of the Supporters Trust.

On a personal level I have been subjected to ludicrous accusations about my motivations that are patently untrue. Everything I have done has been on behalf of the supporters who are the real moral owners of the Notts community. I have never sought nor been offered personal reward at any point over the past four years as anybody who has worked with me in that time will testify.

It is imperative that the Supporters Trust is involved moving forward. For too long, many football clubs have been run by business people for the benefit of business people. I hope that the new owners will recognise that there is a desire for football to be returned to the community that supports it. With over 1000 members the Notts Supporters Trust is a substantial representative body and I would expect that they would be fully involved in the future.

My fervent wish now is that this situation is rapidly resolved and that a sound, well structured and financed operation with the right long term motivations is put in place. Then I can do what my father my sons, and I have always done… watch and support Notts County."