Yesterday I sent this email to Notts City Council;
'The City Council’s decision to withdraw the financial aid for Notts County is disgraceful. Whilst more than happy to shell out nearly £4 million for the development of the National Ice Arena in the pursuit of recognition as an international sporting city, it astounds me that you are prepared to allow our city’s original sporting club to face closure due to negligible risk of financial loss. This is despite the club having assets well outweighing its required financial assistance. It is clear that Notts County does not fit into your future plans for the city.
You should remember that football is the most popular sport in the world and as such should be the basis of any city’s sporting infrastructure. Also bear in mind that this is the oldest football league club in the world and letting that letting it go under would not reflect at all well on Nottingham and it’s attitude towards sport. I for one will be more than happy to broadcast Nottingham City Council’s failure to support a major player in our sporting heritage and ensure this is not forgotten.
I sincerely see hope you see sense and reconsider your withdrawal from the rescue plan.
Regards.'
This is the reply I got, apparently from the hand of John Jackson himself;
'Thank you for your email. The City Council sympathises with Notts County and its supporters over the club's reported financial difficulties. We considered very carefully whether it is in our Council Taxpayers' interests to guarantee a loan for the club, particularly given the current uncertainty surrounding football club finances generally. We regret that in those circumstances we were unable to offer financial assistance.
The Council is not responsible for Notts County's financial difficulties. The Council did not agree to provide a loan guarantee and it has not gone back on any such agreement because none existed.
The Council was and is sympathetic to the club's position and, naturally, we undertook to give very serious consideration to whether we could support this proposal.
Both the City and County Council looked at the business plan and the advice of independent financial advisers. Jointly the Councils came to the view they could not act as a loan guarantor.
All three political groups support this decision. The City Council has had to consider the level of financial risk in guaranteeing a loan and the implications for its own finances and public services if the guarantee were called upon.
It is understandable that people make comparisons to the situation with
Nottingham Forest but the circumstances are different. That decision was made eight years ago when Forest were in the Premiership and the redevelopment of the Trent End stand (which is what the loan paid for) was the key to Nottingham becoming a host venue for the European Football Championships in 1996, which brought many economic and promotional benefits to the city.
Over the years the City Council has been a strong supporter of Notts County
Football Club. We provided a loan guarantee for the redevelopment of the Meadow Lane end of the club's ground in 1981 and provided a grant to help the club meet interest repayments on a loan towards the cost of transforming Meadow Lane into an all-seater stadium in 1992.
The plans for the Waterside area, which have been endorsed by the City Council envisage the Notts County Ground as nothing other than a football stadium.'
John Jackson
Chief Executive
Nottingham City Council
This was obviously a standard reply sent to anyone who questioned their decision, it was also a large part of the Council’s statement on their website (www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk)
Clearly this shows Mr.Jackson’s lack of interest in the issue. Most likely he is busy at a planning meeting for a ridiculous town centre sculpture (remember?), no doubt that wasn’t a waste of his treasured taxpayers’ money.
Also of note was his references to the waterside developments and Nottingham Forest - if anyone can tell me where I mentioned either of these, please enlighten me.
Your views are more than welcome so please email me and I will publish them on the site. I may also forward them to Mr.Jackson, although I have a feeling I already know what his reply will be!
Bill Keston