A fundraising page has been set up to raise money for redundant Notts County Ladies players following the club’s liquidation.
The Ladypies folded last week, just two days before the start of the season, after chairman Alan Hardy called time on plans to save the team after inheriting debits from Ray Trew.
Notts Ladies supporter Julie Roberts has launched a bid to raise £10,000 to support the players as they face redundancy.
She said she feels ‘devastated’ – like ‘someone has died’.
“It’s tragic that a club that has such a fantastic fan base has been allowed to fold,” she told Notts TV.
“I have been watching the team from day one and I set up and ran the official supporters’ club.”
Julie added the liquidation of the top-flight side is a ‘huge blow for women’s football’ and is appealing for supporters to donate small amounts to help the players.
Hardy hoped to fund projected losses of around £500,000, carried over from Trew, and Notts had been given until July 3 to repay the debts, the second time a winding up order for the club had been adjourned.
But after negotiations with lawyers, HMRC and the FA, Hardy called time on his plans to save the Ladies set-up on Friday (Friday 21).
The Ladypies officially withdrew from the Women’s Super League and will play no matches in the Spring Series.
Roberts wrote on the JustGiving page: “Alan Hardy has said he will not see them homeless, but has he forgot that to live, you require income to buy food, toiletries, fuel and the other necessary basic elements.
“If everyone can make a small donation it would show our appreciation to the Ladypies, but also to show that the fans of Nottingham and of women’s football stand united and pull together and help when times are tough and needed.
“The Ladypies have brought us as a community together, like a family. We have stuck by them no matter what. Let’s if possible show our support, that we as a community can bind together and show Alan Hardy what a big mistake he made by ending the Ladypies.”
