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Notts County are set to launch a new senior women's team, just over a year after the previous incarnation, Notts County Ladies, was folded. Magpies owner Alan Hardy "called time" on efforts to save the Women's Super League 1 side in April 2017 when faced by debts of around £500,000, and folded just before the season started. The Lady Pies had been moved from Lincoln to Nottingham and got to the FA Cup Women's Final in 2015, but Hardy stressed that "the numbers simply (did) not stack up; continuing would have been little short of financial suicide." However, a new side called Notts County Women emerged on Twitter last weekend and announced that player trials would be held with a view to the team playing competitive football in 2018-19. "We will be basement level working our way," Hardy told BBC Sport. "I always said that I would relaunch it at some point in the future when the foundations were right and more importantly there was a pathway in place. "We have built from the Under-8s to the Under-14s and the next logical step was a senior team. "We understand that we may need to start at the bottom and work through the leagues. In five years we want to be at WSL 2 level, and that is a realistic ambition." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Jess Clarke, one of the longest-serving players in the Notts County Ladies team, has completed a move to Liverpool Ladies for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old, a striker who came through the youth setup at Leeds Carnegie Ladies, joined the Lady Pies in 2010, spending the last six seasons at the club. Clarke was part of the 2015 Notts squad that reached two major cup finals, including the Women’s FA Cup Final, the first to be held at Wembley Stadium. On the departure, Notts manager Rick Passmoor said: “Jess has been a fantastic asset to this team for the three seasons we’ve been here. "She expressed a desire to move on to a new challenge – a request we reluctantly accepted." On her move, Clarke told the Liverpool website: “I am delighted to join Liverpool Ladies and I’m really looking forward to working alongside the players and Scott. “There is already a great squad of players here and I am confident that we will have a successful Spring Series.” Liverpool Ladies boss Scott Rogers, meanwhile, said: "Jess will give us more options up front and I am confident that she can prove to be a really important addition to the squad. “Jess is lightning quick, as well as being clinical in front of goal. She is also proven in the FAWSL, so I am delighted to have signed her ahead of the upcoming Spring Series." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.