| 2009–10 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | John Armstrong-Holmes Peter Trembling Ray Trew | ||
| Manager | Ian McParland Dave Kevan andMichael Johnson (interim) Hans Backe Dave Kevan (interim) Steve Cotterill | ||
| League Two | 1st (champions) | ||
| FA Cup | Fifth round | ||
| League Cup | First round | ||
| League Trophy | First round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League:Lee Hughes (30) All:Lee Hughes (33) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 11,331 vsCheltenham Town, 1 May | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 4,213 vsBradford City, 6 November | ||
During the2009–10 English football season,Notts County competed inFootball League Two, the fourth tier of theEnglish football league system. Shortly before the season began, the club was subject to a high-profile takeover by Munto Finance, purportedly a wealthy Middle East-based consortium with ambitions to take the club to thePremier League. The formerEngland managerSven-Göran Eriksson was appointed director of football, and lavish spending began in apparent early efforts to achieve these ambitions. In reality, Munto Finance was controlled by the convicted fraudsterRussell King, and the club had been acquired as part of an elaborate scheme to list a fake mining company on the stock exchange. The promised money did not exist, King fled when the scheme collapsed and Notts County were left deeply in debt. Eriksson resigned following a further takeover byRay Trew, who prevented bankruptcy and oversaw a successful conclusion to the season, with the team winning the League Two championship andpromotion toFootball League One. The team also fared well in theFA Cup, reaching the last sixteen of the competition.
The season saw four different owners, three permanent first-team managers and two spells of interim management. In total, the team played 54 competitive matches, winning 31, drawing 14 and losing nine.Lee Hughes scored 33 goals across all competitions, becoming the first Notts County player to score 30 goals in a season sinceTommy Lawton sixty years earlier, whileBen Davies made the most appearances, featuring in 51 games. Munto Finance's takeover and the wider scheme of which it formed a part were investigated by journalists from the beginning. It was the subject of a 2011 episode of theBBC One showPanorama, aBBC Sounds podcast series in 2022, and a documentary forSky Documentaries in 2025. Notts County continued to experience off-field problems over the following years, culminating in a four-year spell innon-League football between 2019 and 2023; coverage of the club's plight and subsequent attempts to recover often refer to the events of 2009.
In the 2009–10 season, Notts County (nicknamed the Magpies) competed inLeague Two, the fourth tier of theEnglish football league system, their sixth successive year at this level.[1] The club's time in the fourth tier had been preceded by a serious financial crisis. Between 2002 and 2003, Notts County had spent a record 534 days inadministration.[2] Bankruptcy was prevented in a takeover largely financed by supporter Haydn Green;[3] as part of the deal, the Notts County Supporters' Trust also gained representation on the board of directors.[4] In 2007, shortly before his death, Green sold his stake in the club to the Trust for £75,000,[3] making the latter the majority shareholder.[5] The Trust were not required to pay Green upfront; instead, the £75,000 would only be paid to Green (or his estate after his death) if the Trust sold their shares in the future.[3]
The years after exiting administration saw the team consistently struggle. It was relegated to League Two in 2004,[6] and was in danger of relegation tonon-League football before its final game of the 2005–06 season.[7] In 2007–08, League Two safety was assured only in a 1–0 win overWycombe Wanderers in the penultimate game of the season,[8][9] while the following season the team finished 19th.[10] The sustained poor on-field performance resulted in supporters becoming progressively more unhappy under Trust ownership.[11] There were rumours that the club had taken on large loans from unknown individuals in response to financial problems, and the efforts of supporters to find out more were resisted by officials.[12] In April 2009, John Armstrong-Holmes (the club's chairman) and Eric Kerry, the Trust's representatives on the club's board, survived a vote of no confidence, with Armstrong-Holmes arguing that his and Kerry's removal would mean "potential investment may be jeopardised".[13]
The Munto Finance takeover of Notts County was orchestrated byRussell King, who had first been convicted of fraud in 1991 after falsely reporting hisAston Martin had been stolen to claim £600,000 in insurance.[14] Before his involvement in Notts County, King had stolen £671,000 from Belgravia Financial Services Group,[15] and had acquired a 49% stake in the investment bank First London by falsely claiming he was managing billions of dollars for the Bahraini royal family.[16] The others involved were Nathan Willett and his father Peter, of whom little is known; in 2022, the makers of aBBC podcast series about the takeover were unable to locate even a forwarding address for the pair.[17]: 0:08:33 Once the takeover was completed,Peter Trembling acted as executive chairman of Notts County; Matt Scott ofThe Guardian would later describe him as Munto Finance's "mouthpiece".[18] Following the takeover's collapse, Trembling maintained that he had been deceived,[19]: 0:15:52 and that he had lost much of his own money as a result of the affair.[20]
While preparing for the 2009–10 season, Notts County were approached by Trembling, who indicated that Munto Finance was interested in buying the club.[21] At a meeting, Trembling told Armstrong-Holmes that Munto Finance were a Middle East-based consortium, and that unspecified royalty was involved.[22] A further meeting took place in Bahrain between Armstrong-Holmes and Roy Parker (a shareholder in the club and its vice chairman) and representatives of the consortium. According to Armstrong-Holmes, King was in attendance, but played no part in the talks until Armstrong-Holmes demanded abank guarantee as a condition of a sale, which King soon produced.[23] Unbeknown to Notts County's representatives, the guarantee, which appeared to be from First London, was worthless. It had not been approved by the bank's board and came from a part of the bank that no longer existed.[19]: 0:15:03 A deal was agreed, with the takeover announced in July 2009. Trembling was appointed as chief executive, and Munto Finance announced its ambition to see Notts County promoted to theChampionship within five years.[24]
As part of the deal, Munto Finance insisted that it be given ownership of the club for nothing,[25] and the Trust pushed its members to approve the "gift" of the Trust's shares to the consortium. As this would not be a sale, no money would need to be paid to the estate of Haydn Green.[5] Some supporters protested, questioning whether paying Green's estate would not be the "honourable thing" to do, but Armstrong-Holmes urged Trust members to back the deal, saying that "Haydn Green's position in the club's history is acknowledged and will be honoured by Munto".[26] Trust members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the transfer of the shares, and Munto Finance consequently acquired the club for free.[27] Chris Porter, who discussed the takeover in a study of fan ownership of football clubs, says that the sale "amounted to an up-front outlay from the would-be recipient of promised future riches", and that the Trust failed to ask why supposedly wealthy investors were unwilling to make a relatively modest initial outlay to buy the club.[3] The identity of those who would be financing the club was shrouded in secrecy,[28] but the journalist and Notts County supporter Simon Goodley was soon tipped off about the involvement of King, and he began to investigate.[29] Also soon investigating was Matt Scott, who was encouraged to do so by a source after noting in his column that the takeover had not yet been approved.[30]
Notts County had already begun signing players for the 2009–10 season before the takeover, with these players either being from League Two or non-League clubs or joining on loan. MidfieldersNeal Bishop,Ben Davies andRicky Ravenhill joined fromBarnet,Shrewsbury Town andDarlington respectively,[31][32][33] whileKettering Town strikerCraig Westcarr had joined on a one-year deal.[34] Also signing pre-takeover were defendersGraeme Lee, who joined the club for an undisclosed fee fromBradford City,[35] andBrendan Maloney, who joined on a six-month loan fromNottingham Forest.[36] In the week after Munto Finance took control of the club, the Magpies announced the signing of two strikers,Lee Hughes andLuke Rodgers, on free transfers fromOldham Athletic andYeovil Town respectively.[37][38]
On 22 July, Notts announced the appointment of the formerEngland managerSven-Göran Eriksson as director of football in what Stuart James ofThe Guardian described as "one of the game's most staggering moves of recent times".[39] Despite Munto Finance's initially stated target of seeing Notts County promoted to the Championship, Eriksson said he wanted to see the club promoted to thePremier League.[40] Eriksson said he was "particularly attracted to this role and the unique opportunity to help build a club over the longer term".[39] With Eriksson's appointment, Notts began to target, or were linked in the press with, much more high-profile players. At one point, reports suggested theBrazil international andWorld Cup winnerRoberto Carlos might join the club.[41] On another occasion,David Beckham was asked by a radio journalist about the possibility of working with his old England manager.[42]: 0:02:52 The club's final pre-season signing was that of strikerKarl Hawley fromPreston North End for an undisclosed fee.[43]
To prepare for the new season, the Magpies played a series of friendlies. The first match after Eriksson's arrival, the game against Nottingham Forest at Notts County'sMeadow Lane stadium, attracted nearly 13,000 spectators, and saw Eriksson "paraded" before the crowd prior to kick off.[44]
Key
Results[45]
| Date | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 21 July 2009 | Arnold Town (A) | 7–0 |
| 25 July 2009 | Nottingham Forest (H) | 2–1 |
| 28 July 2009 | Derby County (H) | 2–3 |
| 31 July 2009 | Liverpool XI (H) | 2–2 |
Notts started the season strongly. Hughes scored ahat-trick on the opening day as the Magpies defeated Bradford 5–0 at home with over 9,000 spectators in attendance.[46] The team won 4–0 atMacclesfield Town in its first away game,[47] but then suffered its first defeat, losing 2–1 atChesterfield.[48] During August, the club used its apparent new-found wealth to strengthen its squad. The signing of goalkeeperKasper Schmeichel fromManchester City for an undisclosed fee believed to surpass the club record was announced on 14 August.[49] That ofJohnnie Jackson fromColchester United (also for an undisclosed fee) followed two days later.[50] Schmeichel made his debut in a 3–0 home win overDagenham & Redbridge on 22 August.[51] Three days later, Notts announced the signing of England internationalSol Campbell on a five-year contract: "there were offers from the Premier League but that would have been short-term. I'm thinking of the future", he told the BBC.[52] In their final match of the month, Notts were beaten 1–0 atBarnet.[53]
Early in September, Notts County strengthened their squad further, bringing in wingerMatt Ritchie on loan fromPortsmouth until the end of December.[54] The month began with two home games, a 1–1 draw withBurton Albion and a 5–2 win overNorthampton Town in which Hughes scored his second hat-trick of the season.[55][56] Campbell made his debut the following week atMorecambe, but he could not prevent the Magpies from losing 2–1.[57] It proved to be Campbell's only game for the club, as he left by mutual consent four days later.[58] He had grown suspicious that the club's supposed wealth was not real;[59] defenderMike Edwards later said that, shortly before leaving, Campbell had warned his teammates of his doubts.[42]: 0:21:47 Despite losing Campbell, Notts ended the month with two victories, a 3–1 home win overPort Vale and a 3–0 win atLincoln City in which Rodgers scored a hat-trick.[60][61]
On 21 September, theFootball League confirmed they were investigating the takeover. It had still not been approved by the league, who were demanding to know the identity of the new owners.[62] The same week, King's involvement in the takeover was made public by Goodley inThe Sun,[63] though King maintained he had acted as an advisor on only "strategic and media issues" and had relinquished his role after Notts County had appointed a new communications manager.[64] On 27 September, in an effort to satisfy the league as to the identity of the new owners, Notts named two Middle East-based families as among the club's new investors,[65] a move soon undermined when a member of one of the families denied involvement.[66] Scott also questioned whether King really had ceased to be involved, noting the latter's continued close connections with the companies and individuals linked with Munto Finance.[67]
October began with two draws, the first 1–1 atCheltenham Town,[68] the second 2–2 at home toTorquay United, a result which left the Magpies in fifth place, four points from top spot.[69] The day after the latter,Ian McParland was sacked as manager,[70] replaced on an interim basis byDave Kevan andMichael Johnson.[71] Kevan and Johnson ultimately took charge for two matches, a 0–0 draw atRotherham United and a 2–0 home win overCrewe Alexandra.[72][73] In the meantime, on 20 October, the Football League approved the takeover,[74] accepting Notts County's new owners asfit-and proper persons despite still not knowing who they were.[75] With the takeover now sanctioned, Notts moved to appoint their new manager. Eriksson and Trembling held talks withRoberto Mancini,[76] who was keen on the job, but Eriksson was by now growing concerned about the lack of investment being made in the club, and warned Mancini to wait.[77] Ultimately,Hans Backe was appointed instead.[78] Backe took charge of Notts County's final match of October, a 1–1 draw at home toShrewsbury Town.[79]
In early November it was revealed that Notts County's parent company was subject to awinding-up petition due to £400,000 of unpaid debt. This was despite assurances to the Notts County Supporters' Trust, made when the takeover was agreed, that the debts would be settled quickly.[80] The club narrowly avoided a court hearing on the issue on 12 November,[81] two days before the team's first league match of November, a 3–3 draw atBury.[82] This match saw an unusual first-half incident, whenDaniel Nardiello of Bury beat Schmeichel and fired the ball towards an empty net, only to see the ball become stuck in mud before it had crossed the goal line, allowing Schmeichel enough time to run back and gather.[83] After a 0–0 home draw withAldershot Town,[84] Notts travelled toRochdale in their final league match of the month, where they fell to a 2–1 loss.[85]
Shortly after the Rochdale match, it was revealed that the Football League had renewed its investigation into Notts County's ownership.[86] The club's off-field position was by now deteriorating rapidly, with King seemingly having vanished,[87] and with creditors visiting the club frequently to demand payment.[88] Despite the mounting problems, the Magpies won their first two games of December, 4–0 at home toDarlington and 2–0 atHereford United.[89][90] In the days following the latter, it was reported that Trembling was planning a management buyout of the club,[91] and that Eriksson was on the verge of resigning.[92] Armstrong-Holmes also toldThe Guardian that he now felt he had been "hoodwinked" into handing the club over to Munto Finance.[93] Trembling completed his takeover on 12 December, promising to look for fresh investment for the club.[94] The same day, Notts were beaten 2–1 at home byAccrington Stanley.[95] This proved to be Backe's final game; he resigned shortly afterwards,[96] with Kevan resuming temporary charge.[97] In their final match of the month, the Magpies won 4–1 at Burton with Hughes scoring a hat-trick.[98]
Notts County's financial problems continued in the new year. Early in January, the club was served with a new winding-up petition issued byHMRC. The situation was not helped by theunusually cold winter forcing the postponement of matches and denying the club much-needed income.[99] Trembling claimed Notts needed investment of £25 million to retain Eriksson and sustain the ambition to reach the Premier League,[100] but the required investment had not been found by the week the club was due in court in connection with the winding-up petition.[101] The day before the hearing, the Magpies played their first league match of the month, a 3–0 win at Dagenham.[102] On 27 January came news that the court had been granted a 28-day extension to the club to settle its debt with HMRC, though the latter requested that this be marked as final; no further extensions would be forthcoming.[103] The team played its final match of the month on 30 January, defeating Barnet 2–0 at home.[104]
In their first match of February, the Magpies won 1–0 atGrimsby Town.[105] A 2–1 defeat atAFC Bournemouth followed in the next game,[106] before the team played Grimsby again, this time a 1–1 draw at Meadow Lane.[107] On 11 February, news came thatRay Trew had agreed to buy the club. In a statement, Trembling said Trew was "not of the £25m+ ilk", but did have sufficient funds to prevent the Magpies from going bankrupt. As a result of the takeover, Trembling and Eriksson both departed their posts,[108] though Eriksson was given the "non-active" role of joint life president of the club.[109] Though Notts had been saved, Trew warned supporters that the club's position remained precarious and administration could not be ruled out.[110] Notts County's first league match following the takeover was a 1–1 draw at Aldershot, a result which left the Magpies in seventh place, fourteen points from top spot.[111] Three days later, on 23 February, Trew announced that administration would not be necessary, and that he had appointedSteve Cotterill as manager for the remainder of the season.[112] Cotterill took charge for the first time in the final game of February, a 5–0 home win over Hereford in which Westcarr scored a hat-trick and Rodgers a brace.[113]
March began with consecutive wins over Macclesfield,[114] Accrington,[115] and Chesterfield; the last of these saw Notts County move up to fourth place, three points behind Bournemouth,[116] their next opponents. A Hughes brace gave Notts 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but an injury-time equaliser for the away team earned Bournemouth a 2–2 draw. Despite the concession of a late goal, the result moved the Magpies into the top three.[117] There then followed two away matches, the first a 1–0 win at Crewe,[118] the second a 0–0 draw with Bradford which extended the team's unbeaten run to nine.[119] Now in second place, Notts hosted third place Rotherham in their final match of the month. The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw entering the final minute, but a 90th minute goal from Rodgers gave the Magpies a 1–0 win, allowing them to end March in second place, with 68 points from 36 matches, 10 points behind top spot.[120]
April began with a 5–0 home win over Bury, with five different goal scorers for the Magpies.[121] That same afternoon, the league leaders Rochdale were beaten 2–0 at Chesterfield; these results meant Notts had reduced the gap between themselves and first place to seven points, having played a game less.[122] Rochdale were held to a draw in their next game,[123] allowing Notts to move within five points with a 1–0 win at Shrewsbury.[124] Rochdale would then lose their next two matches,[125][126] and Notts took first place after a 1–0 win at Northampton and a 3–1 home win over Lincoln.[127][128] Promotion to League One was confirmed on 17 April with a 4–1 home win over Morecambe,[1] before Notts played Rochdale at Meadow Lane on 20 April. The match attracted 10,536 spectators, and was won 1–0 by the home team through a 30th minute goal by Hughes. The victory put the Magpies four points clear of second with a game in hand, and was described by Paul Fletcher of the BBC as "a huge step towards sealing the League Two title".[129] Notts lost their next match at Port Vale,[130] but then clinched the title on 27 April with a 5–0 win at Darlington.[131] The team were presented the trophy after their final home game,[132] a 5–0 win over Cheltenham,[133] before the season concluded with a 0–0 draw at Torquay.[134]
Key
|
|
Results
| Date | Opponents | Result | Notts County goalscorers | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 August 2009 | Bradford City (H) | 5–0 | Davies,Hughes (3, 1 pen.),Moloney | 9,396 | [46] |
| 15 August 2009 | Macclesfield Town (A) | 4–0 | Ravenhill,Hunt,Wright (o.g.),Westcarr | 2,785 | [47] |
| 19 August 2009 | Chesterfield (A) | 1–2 | Edwards | 6,196 | [48] |
| 22 August 2009 | Dagenham & Redbridge (H) | 3–0 | Hughes,Hawley,Jackson | 6,562 | [51] |
| 29 August 2009 | Barnet (A) | 0–1 | 2,858 | [53] | |
| 5 September 2009 | Burton Albion (H) | 1–1 | Hawley | 8,891 | [55] |
| 12 September 2009 | Northampton Town (H) | 5–2 | Ritchie (2),Hughes (3, 1 pen.) | 7,154 | [56] |
| 19 September 2009 | Morecambe (A) | 1–2 | Davies | 3,335 | [57] |
| 26 September 2009 | Port Vale (H) | 3–1 | Hughes (2, 1 pen.),Collins (o.g.) | 7,561 | [60] |
| 29 September 2009 | Lincoln City (A) | 3–0 | Rodgers (3) | 5,527 | [61] |
| 3 October 2009 | Cheltenham Town (A) | 1–1 | Rodgers | 4,134 | [68] |
| 11 October 2009 | Torquay United (H) | 2–2 | Westcarr,Davies | 8,812 | [69] |
| 17 October 2009 | Rotherham United (A) | 0–0 | 5,738 | [72] | |
| 24 October 2009 | Crewe Alexandra (H) | 2–0 | Rodgers,Westcarr | 6,545 | [73] |
| 31 October 2009 | Shrewsbury Town (H) | 1–1 | Lee | 7,562 | [79] |
| 14 November 2009 | Bury (A) | 3–3 | Hughes (2),Ritchie | 3,602 | [82] |
| 21 November 2009 | Aldershot Town (H) | 0–0 | 6,500 | [84] | |
| 24 November 2009 | Rochdale (A) | 1–2 | Flynn (o.g.) | 2,779 | [85] |
| 1 December 2009 | Darlington (H) | 4–0 | Rodgers,Hughes (2),Davies | 4,606 | [89] |
| 4 December 2009 | Hereford United (A) | 2–0 | Westcarr,Edwards | 2,727 | [90] |
| 12 December 2009 | Accrington Stanley (H) | 1–2 | Hughes (pen.) | 5,855 | [95] |
| 26 December 2009 | Burton Albion (A) | 4–1 | Ravenhill,Hughes (3, 1 pen.) | 5,801 | [98] |
| 26 January 2010 | Dagenham & Redbridge (A) | 3–0 | Davies,Hughes,Ogogo (o.g.) | 1,916 | [102] |
| 30 January 2010 | Barnet (H) | 2–0 | Hawley,Davies | 6,444 | [104] |
| 6 February 2010 | Grimsby Town (A) | 1–0 | Hughes | 4,452 | [105] |
| 9 February 2010 | AFC Bournemouth (A) | 1–2 | Bishop | 5,472 | [106] |
| 17 February 2010 | Grimsby Town (H) | 1–1 | Hughes | 5,163 | [107] |
| 20 February 2010 | Aldershot Town (A) | 1–1 | Davies | 4,016 | [111] |
| 27 February 2010 | Hereford United (H) | 5–0 | Westcarr (3, 1 pen.),Rodgers (2, 1 pen.) | 6,036 | [113] |
| 2 March 2010 | Macclesfield Town (H) | 1–0 | Clapham | 4,672 | [114] |
| 6 March 2010 | Accrington Stanley (A) | 3–0 | Davies,Hughes,Rodgers | 2,123 | [115] |
| 9 March 2010 | Chesterfield (H) | 1–0 | Davies | 7,341 | [116] |
| 15 March 2010 | AFC Bournemouth (H) | 2–2 | Hughes (2) | 6,120 | [117] |
| 20 March 2010 | Crewe Alexandra (A) | 1–0 | Edwards | 5,003 | [118] |
| 23 March 2010 | Bradford City (A) | 0–0 | 11,630 | [119] | |
| 27 March 2010 | Rotherham United (H) | 1–0 | Rodgers | 9,015 | [120] |
| 3 April 2010 | Bury (H) | 5–0 | Edwards,Westcarr,Davies,Hughes,Facey | 7,005 | [121] |
| 5 April 2010 | Shrewsbury Town (A) | 1–0 | Davies | 6,287 | [124] |
| 10 April 2010 | Northampton Town (A) | 1–0 | Davies | 5,647 | [127] |
| 13 April 2010 | Lincoln City (H) | 3–1 | Hughes,Lee,Facey | 7,501 | [128] |
| 17 April 2010 | Morecambe (H) | 4–1 | Hughes (2),Ravenhill,Davies | 8,500 | [1] |
| 20 April 2010 | Rochdale (H) | 1–0 | Hughes | 10,536 | [129] |
| 24 April 2010 | Port Vale (A) | 1–2 | Lee | 7,459 | [130] |
| 27 April 2010 | Darlington (A) | 5–0 | Jackson,Edwards,Westcarr,Rodgers (2) | 2,112 | [131] |
| 1 May 2010 | Cheltenham Town (H) | 5–0 | Lee,Hughes (2),Davies,Rodgers | 11,331 | [133] |
| 8 May 2010 | Torquay United (A) | 0–0 | 5,124 | [134] |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notts County | 46 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 96 | 31 | +65 | 93 | Division Champions, promoted |
| 2 | AFC Bournemouth | 46 | 25 | 8 | 13 | 61 | 44 | +17 | 83 | Promoted |
| 3 | Rochdale | 46 | 25 | 7 | 14 | 82 | 48 | +34 | 82 | |
| 4 | Morecambe | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 73 | 64 | +9 | 73 | Participated in play-offs |
| 5 | Rotherham United | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 55 | 52 | +3 | 73 | |
| 6 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 69 | 56 | +13 | 72 | |
| 7 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 69 | 58 | +11 | 72 | Participated in play-offs, promoted |
Notts County's FA Cup campaign began in the first round with a home match against fellow League Two club Bradford. Karl Hawley and Johnnie Jackson scored shortly before and after half time, and the Magpies won 2–1.[136] Notts defeated League Two opposition again in the second round, this time coming from 0–1 down to win 2–1 at Bournemouth,[137] and so earned a home tie withForest Green Rovers of theFootball Conference in the third round. As the match was due to be played in the midst of Trembling's efforts to find a new buyer for the club, he had reportedly hoped to use the tie as an opportunity to host potential investors; the match, however, was postponed due to freezing weather conditions.[99] The tie eventually went ahead on 20 January and was won 2–1 by the Magpies, who consequently reached the FA Cup's fourth round for the first time in 15 years.[138]
Notts County's next opponents were Premier League sideWigan Athletic, who visited Meadow Lane on 23 January. A crowd of 9,073 saw the Magpies take a 2–0 first half lead through goals from Hughes and Davies, but Wigan fought back in the second half, and a late goal fromBen Watson meant the match finished 2–2, meaning a replay would be required.[139] With speculation ongoing about the club's future, Davies welcomed the replay as a "chance to get in the headlines for the right reasons".[140] In the replay, a 75th minute goal fromStephen Hunt, followed shortly afterwards by an own goal from Wigan'sGary Caldwell, gave the Magpies a 2–0 win over their Premier League opponents.[141] The victory meant Notts County progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1992.[142] Here, the Magpies were drawn away to another Premier League club, this timeFulham. The match, coming shortly after Trew's purchase of the club, resulted in a 4–0 defeat for Notts, who were consequently eliminated from the competition.[143]
Key
|
|
Results
| Date | Opponents | Result | Notts County goalscorers | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 November 2009 | Bradford City (H) | 2–1 | Hawley,Jackson | 4,213 | [136] |
| 28 November 2009 | AFC Bournemouth (A) | 2–1 | Hughes,Westcarr | 6,082 | [137] |
| 20 January 2010 | Forest Green Rovers (H) | 2–1 | Hunt,Hughes | 4,389 | [138] |
| 23 January 2010 | Wigan Athletic (H) | 2–2 | Hughes,Davies | 9,073 | [139] |
| 2 February 2010 | Wigan Athletic (A) | 2–0 | Hunt,Caldwell (o.g.) | 5,519 | [141] |
| 14 February 2010 | Fulham (A) | 0–4 | 16,132 | [143] |
As a League Two team, Notts County entered the League Cup in the first round, where they were drawn at home toDoncaster Rovers of the Championship. The Magpies lost 1–0 and were thus eliminated from the competition.[144]
Key
|
|
Results
| Date | Opponents | Result | Notts County goalscorers | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 2009 | Doncaster Rovers (H) | 0–1 | 4,893 | [144] |
In the first round of theFootball League Trophy, a competition for League One and Two teams, Notts County were drawn away to Bradford. The match finished 2–2, requiring apenalty shootout to determine the winner. Bradford won this 3–2, and the Magpies were eliminated from the competition.[145]
Key
|
|
Results
| Date | Opponents | Result | Notts County goalscorers | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 October 2009 | Bradford City (A) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | Westcarr,Facey | 3,701 | [145] |
Before Trew's takeover, Notts County had been penalised for breaking League Two's salary cap, which required wages exceed no more than 60% of revenue. Though Trew claimed to have rectified this, the club nevertheless spent much of the season under a transfer embargo, unable to sign any further players.[146] A total of 24 players made at least one appearance for Notts County during the 2009–10 season. Of these, Ben Davies played in the most games, featuring in 51 of 54 matches.[147] Eight other players – Neal Bishop, Mike Edwards, Lee Hughes, Ricky Ravenhill, Luke Rodgers, Kasper Schmeichel,John Thompson and Craig Westcarr – made a minimum of 40 appearances, while three players (Sol Campbell,Sean Canham andNathan Fox) played only once, the latter two's appearances coming as substitutes.[147]
Hughes scored 33 goals across all competitions during the campaign. In doing so, he became the first Notts County player to score 30 goals in a season sinceTommy Lawton in 1949–50.[148] Davies (16), Rodgers (13) and Westcarr (11) were the other players to reach a minimum of 10 goals.[147] Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel kept 24 clean sheets in his 43 league appearances,[149] setting a new club record for the most in a season.[150]
Pos = Playing position Nat. = Nationality Apps = Appearances | GK =Goalkeeper DF =Defender MF =Midfielder FW =Forward |
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances assubstitute.
| Pos. | Nat. | Name | League Two | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| FW |  ENG | Ade Akinbiyi | 1 (9) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (10) | 0 |
| MF | ENG | Neal Bishop | 39 (4) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 (4) | 1 |
| MF | ENG | Sol Campbell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | ENG | Sean Canham | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 |
| DF | ENG | Jamie Clapham | 17 (13) | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 (13) | 1 |
| MF | ENG | Ben Davies | 45 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 16 |
| MF | ENG | Mike Edwards | 37 (3) | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 (3) | 5 |
| FW |  GRN | Delroy Facey | 7 (11) | 2 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 (12) | 3 |
| DF | ENG | Nathan Fox | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 |
| DF | ENG | Matt Hamshaw | 2 (18) | 0 | 0 (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 (21) | 0 |
| DF | ENG | Karl Hawley | 14 (17) | 3 | 2 (3) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 (20) | 4 |
| GK | ENG | Russell Hoult | 3 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 (1) | 0 |
| FW | ENG | Lee Hughes | 39 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 (1) | 33 |
| DF | ENG | Stephen Hunt | 32 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| MF | ENG | Johnnie Jackson | 20 (4) | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 (4) | 3 |
| DF | ENG | Daniel Jones | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| DF | ENG | Graeme Lee | 31 (1) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 (1) | 4 |
| DF |  IRE | Brendan Moloney | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
| MF | ENG | Ricky Ravenhill | 40 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 3 |
| MF |  SCO | Matt Ritchie | 12 (4) | 3 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 13 (6) | 3 |
| MF | ENG | Luke Rodgers | 27 (15) | 13 | 0 (5) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 (20) | 13 |
| GK |  DEN | Kasper Schmeichel | 43 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| DF | IRE | John Thompson | 38 (2) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 (2) | 0 |
| FW | ENG | Craig Westcarr | 33 (9) | 9 | 5 (1) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 39 (11) | 11 |
Source:[147]
Investigations of the Munto Finance takeover, and the broader scheme of which it was part, continued after its collapse. One was undertaken by the BBC journalistPeter Marshall, whose investigation was broadcast in an episode ofPanorama shown onBBC One in April 2011.[151] ABBC Sounds podcast series produced by the journalist (and Notts County supporter) Ben Robinson in 2022,[14] and a documentary produced forSky Documentaries in 2025,[152] uncovered further information. These investigations, together with the reporting of Matt Scott, confirmed King's central role. Eriksson gave an interview to Scott shortly after the former's departure from Notts, in which Eriksson said that King had played a pivotal part in convincing him to join the club.[153] Meanwhile, Marshall found evidence of King giving orders and approving finances at Meadow Lane,[19]: 0:07:17 and Trembling told Marshall that King had been his boss.[151]
The investigations revealed a complicated network of companies. Munto Finance was a subsidiary of Qadbak Investments, which was in turn closely connected to a third company, Swiss Commodity Holding (SCH), the sole directors of which were Nathan and Peter Willett.[a] Eriksson had been promised a shareholding in SCH,[155] and Campbell handed a £33,000 per week "ambassadorial" contract (in addition to his contract with Notts County).[156] The company's logo was even incorporated into Notts County's badge.[67] King was preparing a fraudulent stock market floatation of SCH, which presented itself as a mining company with reserves of $1.9 trillion and the rights to extract the mineral wealth of North Korea (despite lacking the means of doing so).[157] The takeover of Notts County, together with a similar attempted takeover of theBMW SauberFormula One team, was intended to lend positive publicity to SCH and drive interest in its floatation.[158] Had King succeeded in getting SCH listed, it would have resulted in "a fraud on a colossal scale".[159]
King and Nathan Willett visited North Korea in October 2009,[67] taking with them Eriksson and Abid Hyat Khan, a man introduced to Eriksson as a Bahraini prince, but in fact an alleged fraudster hiding from British police.[160] During the visit, Eriksson was asked by North Korean officials to fix a favourable2010 FIFA World Cup group for theNorth Korea team.[161] King and his SCH colleagues held meetings with North Korean officials during the visit, during which he handed out certificates to his hosts for shares in SCH supposedly worth $2 billion.[162] However, the delegation's departure fromPyongyang International Airport was considerably delayed, with the North Koreans apparently having grown suspicious. Eriksson described a tense wait before the flight was allowed to leave, with King and Willett "panicking and sweating".[163] King's scheme effectively collapsed, and he fled to Bahrain.[164] Marshall would later track him down and confront him there, but King closed the door on Marshall without speaking.[19]: 0:27:08 Nathan Willett also disappeared.[20]
In 2012, while still in Bahrain, King, posing as "Jack Bartholemew", provided a dossier of information to the journalists and authors Anthony Summers and Robyn Swann, purporting to demonstrate North Korea'snuclear capability; King would have received an advance from a book Summers and Swann wrote with the material, but the latter were able to establish his identity.[152] King then launched another fraudulent scheme, this time creating a magazine which he passed off as a Middle East-based edition of theFinancial Times to obtain the advertising revenue and barter deals.[165] In 2018, King was extradited from Bahrain to Jersey to stand trial in connection with still another fraud, this one perpetrated in Jersey in 2008. He was convicted in 2019 and sentenced to six years imprisonment.[166] At a later hearing, Jersey authorities ordered that he pay £322,212 in connection with the case or face additional time in prison.[167] Released in 2021, he was confronted again at his home byAlice Levine, the presenter of the BBC Sounds series, in the course of her and Robinson's investigation. He refused to come to the door, and even denied that he was Russell King.[168]
"We expected it to be bad, but probably not this bad",Jim Rodwell, Notts County's new chief executive, said of the club's finances a month after Trew's takeover. At that point, the club was thought to be £6.9 million in debt.[169] Trew later said that the final debts were in fact £7.3 million, including a six figure sum owed to a law firm and £250,000 owed to Campbell for his solitary appearance.[170] The situation would have been worse had Eriksson not agreed to forgo £2.5 million owed to him by the club.[110] There was considerable anger towards Notts County from other League Two clubs, who felt that the Magpies had not been punished sufficiently for breaking the salary cap.[146] Trew dismissed this in an open letter, claiming the club's FA Cup run and his investment had brought it within the salary cap, though he acknowledged this had not been the case before his arrival.[171] Nevertheless, Notts were required to release Schmeichel, reportedly earning £15,000 per week, following the season's conclusion, with Trew explaining that retaining and attempting to gain a transfer fee for the goalkeeper would have been a huge risk for a club with such precarious finances.[172]
Notts County remained in League One for five years until returning to League Two in 2015.[173] Interest in the Munto Finance takeover has continued in the years since, particularly as the club continued to experience off-field problems. In 2016, with the club once again subject to winding up petitions,[174] and Trew looking to sell, Harry Reardon ofThese Football Times wrote of the "bizarre" takeover, hoping that a proposed sale to overseas investors would "go a little better than last time".[175] Trew sold the club to Alan Hardy, a Nottingham-based businessman, in December 2016,[174] but by 2019 the Magpies were not only once again in the midst of a severe financial crisis but also relegated to non-League football for the first time in their history. Coverage of the club's plight at that time referenced the events of 2009.[176][177] During the2022–23 season, some journalists framed the club's efforts to win promotion back to the league as an attempt to recover from the off-field problems of the previous two decades, the 2009 takeover among them.[5][178][179]
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