This seems to be a question a lot of Notts Fans are asking. Go back a year to the Magpie Circle Podcast on You Tube. And the following statement was quoted by C.E.O. Joe Palmer. The Club is Maintainable and Comfortable to get to Championship Level in terms of Finance. In the mean time the Club have sold Macca, Dan Crowley and Alex Bass, they have also received compensation for both Ian Burchanell and Luke Williams. The Notts Model states that any money raised will go straight back into the team. Really? So why do the Owners continue to purchase players on the cheap Free Agents or Loanees? It would seem they are hoping to find another Macca Dan Crowley or Alex Bass and sell them on for a Big Profit.

Selling all your Top Players comes across to Fans as a Lack of Ambition by the Brothers. It would seem they are quite content to use Notts has a feeder club, and if the Magpies get Promoted then all well and Good, but if they Don't it Doesn't Matter. We'll just keep buying cheap players, loaning players and hiring Free Agents, and change the Head Coach from time to time. So where has all the money gone? It seems the answer to that question will be on the Infrastructure, but why spend money on the Paddle Courts, the Nest or a New Pitch? When it would be better to spend money on getting the Magpies promoted and established as a League 1 side, then Invest in things such as the Fan Zone to help boost the Club's Finances. Always relying on doing things on the cheap, will eventually result in things coming back and biting the Brothers in the backside, and lead to Notts being stuck in League 2 or Heaven Forbid Relegated back into the National League.

The Club has invested in a new pitch, ground infrastructure, the Nest, & the Highfields Sports Complex with the University of Nottingham, which will have taken quite a lot of financing.

But I do agree @Wheelbarrow repair man that although it is important to invest in the future off the pitch, it is very important to invest in improving the team too.

Success on the pitch will bring in more revenue for the club, & promotion would take the club to another level financially.

We still have around a couple of weeks before the start of the season, & I'm hopeful that the club will strengthen the side by using some of the cash from the players sold.

We also know that the cash from transfers don't come in all at once. Many transfers are paid for over months & sometimes years whether it's monies received or paid out.

We know how careful the brothers are with the Notts finances. But that shouldn't stop the brothers buying suitable players if they become available. Let's see what happens over the next few weeks.

A Fair Point @Robbie , regarding off the pitch activities, they certainly wouldn't have come cheap. But I still think Notts Fans would have preferred success on the pitch before spending large amounts of money on the Nest and New Pitch. Lets be honest a successful Club would entice a better class of player to the Lane, and they in turn would push the Magpies to a higher level. Then again with the Brothers investing so much in the Clubs infrastructure, could this be a pointer that they are planning to sell the Club? After all things that have gone on at the Lane the years the Brothers have owned Notts, would make an appealing prospect to any would be buyer. The Club have been put on a Financial Even Keel, the Nest , Paddle Courts, New Training Ground and New Pitch, plus a Squad of players who's wages aren't going to break the Bank. The latter part of this reply is of course only my own thoughts.

You bring up an interesting point @Wheelbarrow repair man about the Reedtz brothers possibly selling the Club

I think that the Reedtz brothers were just what the club wanted to put the club on an even keel financially.

Their football knowledge along with their Football Radar Company has helped to bring the club success & returned the club to where they belong.

I wouldn't like to lose all of what the owners have brought to the club. I do however think that the club needs an additional investor who can put some additional funds into the club to take it to the next level.

Whether the present owners would welcome that sort of arrangement is another thing. I believe that their plans for success is a more long term project rather than what we've seen at Wrexham for example.

They have their way of managing the club & it's finances & I think they will stick to it.

I’m sure the money is being invested in the team and the stadium.

At a future fans’ forum we might learn more about how the fees have been spent. I agree with others who say the club is taking sustainability more seriously and isn’t spending where it doesn’t need to.

It must be tempting to splash cash, but we know big spending doesn’t always work. Relying on a few players doesn’t guarantee a competitive squad.

@True Magpie while I respect your opinion, the way recruitment as been done over the past few seasons doesn't give the impression, that money has been spent on Players or a Head Coach who could push the Magpies forward. It seems that all the Recruitment team does is look at the Data of certain Cheap Players that will, fit in with the Notts Model and will hopefully prove to be a top player in League 2. They struck Lucky with Macca, Ruben, Dan Crowley and A J, player wise and Luke Williams as Head Coach, however data isn't the be all and end all, one thing data can't take into account is the Human Factor and a Players Mental Health, after such things as a serious injury, case in point Cedwyn Scott. Both Matty Palmer and Jodi Jones have struggled since coming back from their respective injuries from last season. Jodi I believe will be able to cope and come back strong, because of his injury history and his experience. It would seem older players can cope with Mental Health Problems, much better than young players.

I Don't think you'll get any joy from a Fans Forum, because hard or awkward questions will be ignored. Since the passing of Jason Turner (RIP) the Club doesn't seem to want too interact with the Fans or inform them of Club matters unlike they did when Jason was C.E.O. Examples the Club took forever to announce the state of Jodi's injury and the length of time, he'd be out of the side. In fact I wrote on PON ( a rumour I had heard) that Jodi was going to be out for several months, rather than him missing a couple of games, which Fans first thought would happen. The Departure of Richard Montague and the Saunders Brothers has never been fully explained, the Club didn't put out an official announcement, which lead to all manner of rumours. Admittedly the Club doesn't want to air their dirty washing in Public, but some sort of statement could have been produced for the Fans. Another question why did David McGoldrick leave, it's never been fully explained. One rumour was despite Didzy being offered a New Contract, his salary had taken a huge cut. So is it any wonder he moved from the Lane, if a Club offered him a better financial package? After all his family 's welfare comes before any sort of Loyalty to a Football Club.

Splashing the Cash doesn't always work. True. But having a Capable Director Of Football, ( I'm Not Impress with Notts current D.O.F) who knows the EFL and available Players can be much better than a load of Data. A player may cost more than what is Budgeted, but an Experienced D.O.F and Head Coach would be able to tell if the Player is worth paying out that little bit more cash.

I’d argue a bit of that money has probably gone into the running costs, I think the last time the accounts were released we lost just under 2 million over a year, someone will probably have the exact figure, but it’s a lot and it can’t carry on.

And as @Robbie says they are investing off the pitch to help the club be more sustainable. I think player sales form a part our strategy too, especially if we can consistently do it can be very lucrative. But at the same time, there is a balance needed. If you constantly sell your best players it weakens the team, it dejects us fans and puts real pressure on the recruitment to constantly get it right.

We have spent money on players, in January we paid fees for both Jarvis and Traore and who’s to say we won’t spend more money before the window closes? I think the Brothers are just very careful with the money and that's probably a good thing, they don't rush into big decisions or listen to the "noise" from fans like our previous owners did. And it's still too early to say if we've spent enough or wisely enough, the new season hasn't even started yet but we know from interviews that our squad right now isn't the finished article. I think once the window closes we'll be able to better judge how effectively the money has been used.

Good Points @menzinho . I fully agree that some of the cash will be given over to running the Club and I think most Clubs run at a loss it's just the amount, but as long as Players and Staff are paid on time, and the Club pays the HMRC what their owed things are allowed to move along. Your point regarding a balance needs to be reached is perhaps the most important, but that Balance hasn't been reached. Everything appears on the surface to be done on the Cheap and it's this that as got Fans frustrated, that along with the selling of the Magpies Top Players certainly annoys Fans and maybe that is why a small number of Fans want the Brothers out. Lack of Ambition.

While I still fully support the Brothers I can understand the naysayers point of view, during the Brothers tenure the only success that's come Notts way, was the Playoff Victory at Wembley. When that was achieved the Fans wanted more, which is only to be expected but that hasn't been the case and all the Fans have seen is disappointment and have witnessed the Brothers sell Notts star players and lose a top head Coach only to see them replaced with players, who are Not at the same standards of the departed players and a Head Coach who was at times totally out of his depth. The Recruitment team just seem to hope one or two of those new players come good and possibly help Notts get promoted. And if Notts don't get Promoted the Brothers will continue sell the Clubs Star Players, a Dangerous Game to play because eventually their model and cheapness will see Notts come unstuck.

Brentford's rise involved selling their best player at the end of each season. That is the model Notts are following

Just because it worked at Brentford, doesn't mean it will work at Notts. Anyway I thought the Model adopted at Notts this season is Unique to the Magpies, and had Not been done at any other Club?

There has been a suggestion that some of the revenue from the players that have been sold has gone towards the running costs of the club.

Running a professional football club nowadays doesn't come cheap. Some high brows were raised when the Club didn't raise season tickets and match tickets substantially like other clubs have done.

I think that the Notts owners don't get enough credit from the fans for keeping those admission prices as low as possible, despite other Clubs raising them.

The owners are trying to raise revenue in other ways, such as developing and selling players for profit & that's to their credit.

14 hours ago, Wheelbarrow repair man said:

maybe that is why a small number of Fans want the Brothers out. Lack of Ambition.

I would imagine that those fans are in a VERY small minority and not worth passing the time of day with, the brothers are the best thing that’s happened to our club in a long while. Any fans that want them out need their heads looking at in my opinion.

27 minutes ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

Any fans that want them out need their heads looking at in my opinion.

spot on @Fan of Big Tone

Perhaps a major worry will be, should the Magpies get Promoted will there be enough cash in the Notts coffers to bring better level players to the Lane? Will the Brothers be prepared to Splash the Cash or still resort to signing Free Agents, Loanees or Players Not Up To League 1 Standard and just hope for the Best as they seem to have done over the past seasons.

Going back to the Quote which made me ask the question and write this topic. The Club is Maintainable and Comfortable to get to Championship Level in Terms of Finance. Now that sounds to me it wouldn't hurt for the Brothers to spend money and take the Odd Gamble on certain Players and Hire a Head Coach with a vast EFL Experience and a Decent Win ratio, unless of course the C.E.O. was Lying to the Fans?

Yes I know money has been invested in the Clubs Infrastructure and it's running, but that Quote gives the Impression the money was always there, IF that is the case why hasn't it been put towards gaining success on the Pitch? After all Stuart Maynard was Sacked because he hadn't got the Club to where the Board thought it should be.

The reality is our owners dont have the deep pockets displayed elsewhere in the EFL... Our playing budget is always around seemingly 6th to 12th range...

I have no confidence in the DoF but hope I am proved wrong

1 hour ago, Piethagoram said:

spot on @Fan of Big Tone

Nothing to do with lack of ambition. All to do with sustainability. Unless of course you have the odd million or two to through down the drain.

Surely recent NCFC history clearly demonstrates that?

All of the Notts fan base wants what they think is best for the club some will disagree on how to get there.

Some fans wanted Stuart Maynard to stay, some didn't.

Some fans want Langstaff back & others have recognised he won't be coming back.

Some have questioned the quality of the transfers, whether they are good enough or not, other fans have welcomed them.

Some fans have questioned if the new Director of football is the right appointment or not, others are ok with him.

Some have questioned the decision & the path that the Reedtz brothers are taking regarding their financial strategy for the club, some agree with it

Some were disappointed that Didzy, Nemane, Crowley, & other players have left the club, others accepted it & moved on.

Some supporters want the brothers to invest more on players & keep those players if they are vital to the club's success, others accept that players have to be sold to keep the finances sound.

The point I am making is that all supporters can have a difference of opinion & they can have a consensus too. But as supporters of our Great club they all have a right to be heard.

It hasn't been disclosed how much the new Notts County hybrid SIS pitch with under-soil heating cost the club, however the cost could be between £500K & £1.5 million.

I understand club are building a similar hybrid pitch at their new training facility. So the cost of the two pitches could be a minimum of £1million which has to be paid for.

@Robbie. If the owners are building a Pitch similar to the one at the Lane at the Notts Training ground, that as to be a complete waste of money. Surely that Cash would have been better spent on Players who would give the Magpies a better chance of automatic Promotion and has you have stated that would bring more revenue to the Club and hopefully better players and there would be No Need for the Brothers to sell the Magpies Top Players. It's things like this that Niggle some Fans and you can see why some are starting to get annoyed with the Brothers. Fans want to see success on the Pitch, could the Club have done without the Nest? Probably because it comes across that the money that the Nest has raised isn't being spent on the Playing Staff, but fritted away on a New Hybrid Pitch at the training ground etc.

People/fans will agree or disagree with me, for those who disagree let me ask this question. When you buy your Season/Match Day Ticket what Do you expect? A Win for the Magpies, I know that's what I want, I Don't fork out hard earned Cash to go down the Lane on a Saturday afternoon to watch Notts get completely outclassed and get walloped 3 or 4 Nil. or Beaten by a Team that are not on Notts Level. I expect them to WIN. Of course this isn't going to happen every Home game, but it is something that should be Aimed For, but it's Not going to happen with the Club doing things on the cheap by buying Cheap players, Free Agents and Loanees.

@Wheelbarrow repair man

I do believe that it is a good thing that the owners are improving the infrastructure at meadow lane including the quality of the playing pitch, & improving the training facilities.

But I also believe that the owners need to invest in building a team that can take advantage of those brilliant facilities & get some success for this club.

Notts have already bought 8 players into the club for little expense, so if they help the club become successful their value will increase.

Let's just see what the next week brings us & see if there are any more incomings as well as outgoings before the Newport match.

We also have to realise that if these players are successful & get Notts promoted, Notts will need to recruit players for the next level, & that will probably mean letting players go or selling them on as other promoted clubs have done

That's why I would like to see an investor bringing some extra funds into the club because I certainly think the Club would benefit from that.

19 hours ago, Wheelbarrow repair man said:

People/fans will agree or disagree with me, for those who disagree let me ask this question. When you buy your Season/Match Day Ticket what Do you expect? A Win for the Magpies, I know that's what I want, I Don't fork out hard earned Cash to go down the Lane on a Saturday afternoon to watch Notts get completely outclassed and get walloped 3 or 4 Nil. or Beaten by a Team that are not on Notts Level. I expect them to WIN

The season hasn’t started yet, we aren’t getting outclassed or walloped 3 or 4 nil so I don’t understand your argument.

It’s a balancing act of spending on infrastructure to benefit the club on one hand and buying players to enhance the team, unfortunately we probably don’t have money to do both so with respect I think you could save your analysis until the season has got underway and we’ve played at least a few games.

@Fan of Big Tone with Respect I am talking about last season, when Notts clearly had the chance for Automatic Promotion, but due to a poor January Transfer window didn't help the Magpies cause. If the Brothers are so short of money then why doesn't the Board seek further Sponsorship or Investment from a third Party? It also appears to me that money should be spent on gaining success on the Pitch, which would help swell the Club's Coffers, why spend money on a Hybrid pitch at the training ground, when surely that money would be better spent enticing better players to the Lane?

@Wheelbarrow repair man you mention you didn’t want to go and watch us get outclassed or walloped 3 or 4 nil, I don’t remember that happening very often if at all last season.

I’d rather have a more positive outlook and think that in the long run things like the new training pitch, the Nest, safe standing etc., will benefit the club. Last season wasn’t a disaster, we didn’t get promoted but we had a good season otherwise and this season we may progress again, we have a new manager, new players, exciting things happening off the pitch let’s look on the bright side and see where the season takes us. There’s too much negativity and the season hasn’t even started.

I think we are talking about priorities here. The owners have invested a lot of money into the Club infrastructure which I welcome.

The question is, do we all feel that the owners have the balance right between off the field expenditure against on the field expenditure?

For example, the owners have invested in a Premier league level pitch with under soil heating which can be easily connected with additional cost. The crème de la crème of pitches.

However, when it comes to recruiting players the owners are very frugal with their expenditure, such as not being able to agree a new contract with Didzy. & lots of free transfers arriving.

I see what the owners are doing & can understand their reasoning, but there is room for legitimate debate because it's a very interesting balancing act that the owners are practising.

As for me, I do wish that the owners would invite more investment from a third party to help boost the club's ability to bring in good players that may cost more than the owners are prepared to pay for.

45 minutes ago, Robbie said:

The question is, do we all feel that the owners have the balance right between off the field expenditure against on the field expenditure?

My argument is that we don’t know whether they’ve got the balance right probably until the end of the season so I personally wouldn’t be complaining and saying the owners haven’t got ambition.