https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2025/september/03/statement--chris---alex/
Owners Chris and Alex Reedtz have issued a statement following the closure of the transfer window.
It’s been a busy summer at Meadow Lane, marked by the appointment of a new coaching team and the assembly of a squad we believe can build on last season’s play-off semi-final finish.
We’ve focused on instilling greater intensity and athleticism — qualities we believe will enhance our competitiveness throughout a demanding League Two campaign. Our 11 new signings will all contribute to this in their own way, while also possessing the technical attributes that are crucial to the club’s playing philosophy.
While some of last season’s high-performing players have moved on, we have confidence in their replacements and have also retained the likes of Alassana Jatta - who is now committed to the club until 2027 after we triggered a clause in his contract. We wish him every success for the season ahead.
In recent years, alongside football projects such as the reconstruction of our stadium pitch and the redevelopment of our training base, we’ve made significant investments in the club’s infrastructure — including the development of padel courts, the Nest and our Learning and Innovation Centre - income from which is, in its entirety, used to support the club’s continued growth on and off the field. These investments are in addition to the significant sums we, as owners, continue to inject into the club every year to cover operating costs.
By successfully developing and delivering such innovative projects our CEO, Joe Palmer, and his team are laying the foundations for the club to become less reliant on owner funding and traditional income streams, in line with our long-term goal to put Notts County in a position of financial sustainability.
Our approach becomes even more important when you consider the recent introduction of the Independent Football Regulator, which will soon increase pressure on clubs to demonstrate sound financial practices for the good of the game and its supporters.
While there’s still plenty of work to do in this area — particularly with projects like the Nest still in their early stages — the club's positive off-field progress, combined with recent player transfer income, has led us to set the strongest playing budget of our tenure so far.
We believe this budget is competitive with most clubs targeting promotion to League One this season and reflects our commitment to delivering excitement, entertainment and, hopefully, success to our loyal supporters.
We look forward to hosting a fans’ forum in the near future, details of which will be announced soon, and will be at Meadow Lane on Saturday to support the team against Fleetwood Town.
I think Germany might be off the cards for a bit, especially if Jatta is still with us, he wasn't able to go first time he joined when we had a mini-trip over there too.
On the whole I think going away is good, it's great for team bonding as it forces the players to spend more time together and therefore they get to know each other that bit quicker. The massive issue was Jatta’s visa and that almost overshadowed the whole pre-season. It caused a right hoo-ha because his agent wasn’t happy, Jatta then didn’t play for the B team and we all freaked out expecting him to leave before the window shut.
The teams we played in Germany were equivalent to Championship sides and a League 2 side. We then played Port Vale and Cardiff League 1 sides and Alfreton a National League North side. I don’t think the level of opposition was too bad overall, as @DangerousSausage says maybe changing one of the better teams in Germany to a League 2 level side would’ve been better.
Agree with @magnum.p.i.e about Alfreton though, I think it’s just one of those that gets picked purely due to location.
Some things carry on for too long, and others just need a change. I think both of these apply to the club playing in Germany. At our level, it ends up being expensive for fans to travel. While it’s a unique experience, I feel like it’s had its time now.
It’s something the club should only do every few years. That way, the squad can be better prepared, and the staff can do more by staying local. We should focus on teams that are closer to our level. Port Vale and Cardiff were good choices and made more sense for where we are.
If the preparation is done properly and the recruitment is sorted in good time, I don’t really have a problem with it. The concern is that if you go too early, you might end up taking trialists just to fill the squad.
It could be a nice reward for some of the younger players, and it also gives new signings a chance to settle in and get used to the team. If we do go ahead with the tour, I just hope it starts a week or so later. That would give us time to organise friendlies around it and make sure everything runs smoothly.