Alan Hardy: Notts County owner puts League Two club up for sale

Hardy added: “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.

“Looking back, as a Nottingham-born man, I take huge pride in being able to say I took on the challenge of owning the world’s oldest Football League club at a time when its only alternative fate, according to my predecessor, was extinction. The football-related creditors had to be paid up immediately, otherwise Notts County would have ceased to exist.

“The club was virtually down and out with huge debts, a dwindling, disengaged supporter base and staff morale at an all-time low, while suffering the worst run of consecutive defeats in its history.

“Over the following 15 months we had a truly wonderful journey. Initially, the challenge was to avoid relegation, which we were able to achieve, and last season we qualified for the play-offs, only to lose out against Coventry in highly questionable circumstances.

“During that time we were able to double attendances, re-engage supporters and attract crowds of up to 17,000 for League Two fixtures.

“Clearly, however, this season has been an incredibly difficult challenge and one of monumental under-achievement, which has left us once again fighting for EFL survival.

“As the owner, the buck stops with me. I take ultimate responsibility for our current situation. But it cannot be said that our poor performance is due to a lack of investment, as is so often the case in business.”