Cotterill called in as Notts County avoid administration
Cotterill in as County avoid administration
Tuesday, 23, Feb 2010 08:24
By Michael Younger.
Notts County fans have been handed a double boost after it was announced the League Two outfit will not be going into administration and former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has been named as the club's new manager.
With tomorrow's court appearance looming large, Magpies chairman Ray Trew has confirmed that while negotiations with creditors are still taking place, his assessment of the club's finances has assured him the club will avoid calling in the administrators.
In a statement, Trew said: "It has always been our intention to avoid administration, which may have been an easier option.
"My staff and I have been working tirelessly to not only assess the club's finances but also to work out how best to resolve the underlying issues that exist and I am delighted to have reached the stage where I can make an informed decision.
"We now hope to move on from the troubles of the past, to focus on making Notts County a viable and attractive sporting institution once again."
The Football League's oldest club have also named 45-year-old Cotterill as their manager until the end of the season - just a week after Dave Kevan was named caretaker manager.
Trew added: "Steve Cotterill is a man that we know plenty about and who was always top of our list of preferred managers when we first took over Notts County.
"Steve brings with him a wealth of experience both as a player and manager and I believe that he has the pedigree to take this club forward."
Following the announcement, Cotterill told the BBC: "It came out of the blue but I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"It's been very much a whirlwind - I've met a lot of good people in a short amount of time.
"I don't know whether there's a vision at the moment - that's probably a bit longer-term.
"If the club had gone into administration, I would have still come here because I think we can reach the play-offs."
Cotterill is the fourth different boss at Meadow Lane this season, following Ian McParland, Kevan and Hans Backe; and his first match in charge will be the home game against Hereford on Saturday.