Notts County Ladies and Notts County chairman Alan Hardy has been given “49 days of grace” to pay the Ladypies’ debts.
Mr Hardy had criticised HMRC for their pursuit of the team, with the threat of a winding up order hanging over NCLFC within the next 24 hours before a court hearing on Monday.
Hardy acquired the club in January and headed to the High Court to ask tax officials for more time to pay the side’s debts.
And his wish was granted as he later tweeted that he had been handed “49 days grace” to pay the clubs debts.
After spending three weeks fighting to turn around the men’s team at Meadow Lane and paying their debts to HMRC, Mr Hardy says he understands that the debts need to be paid “better than anyone”.
Ahead of Monday’s hearing, he said: “All I ask now is that we are given time to do the same with the ladies team.
“I can understand the frustration they have had with the previous owners but there is a genuine wish for us to do the right thing for the ladies club, its employees and the club’s creditors (including HMRC).
“Since acquiring Notts County FC I have never hidden from the huge challenges we faced on and off the pitch and I have demonstrated my willingness to pay down creditors in full and in good faith by paying the NCFC men’s debt to HMRC in full just last week.”
He added he intends to turn more attention to the women’s team by instructing advisors to open talks with the Women’s Superleague to understand what can be done league’s rules.
“We are only requesting a short period to assist us to assist the creditors themselves on their own positions here to complete a successful turnaround, akin to NCFC where we achieved a full payment of the HMRC debt in good faith in a very short period.”
Notts County Ladies have made up the 10 teams that play in the FA Women’s Super League 1 since 2014 – the top tier of English women’s football league system.
The team includes a number of internationals, including Laura Bassett, Ellen White and Carly Telford, who will all be hoping to help guide England to European Championship glory this summer in The Netherlands with the Lionesses.
