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Magpies: New man at the helm(Nottingham Evening Post Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) John Armstrong-Holmes was today appointed acting chairman of Notts County. The life-long supporter of the club was handed the role this morning, following an emergency board meeting. The club was forced to act following the resignation of previous chairman, Jeff Moore, and fellow directors Howard Wilkinson, John Taylor and Joanna Adams yesterday. Along with Armstrong-Holmes - who was part of a failed takeover bid for the club four years ago - the club also appointed another new director, Peter Dennis. Armstrong-Holmes said his first priority was to bring some stability to the club. "After the resignations yesterday, it is vital to bring some stability to the club board," he said. "This morning, two new directors have been appointed, in the form of myself and Peter Dennis. "It is with the consent of all the shareholders in the club that I am here." Director Eric Kerry, the Supporters' Trust representative on the board, believes the club is in a positive position to move forward. He said: "Football is a funny business and things happen. "There will always be challenges and things happening and you have to be cool and calm and sit back and look at the situation. You have to make it better and make it work. "A structured way of moving ahead will be laid out and we are very positive about the future." Yesterday's resignations left just five board members - vice chairman Michael Hammond, Kerry, Roy Parker, Peter Joyce and Geoff Davey. And Wilkinson, one of the directors who chose to resign, left with a warning - saying that Notts missed the perfect chance to chase their dream of promotion to the Championship. The Magpies former manager believes the way the club is run by the majority shareholder - the Supporters Trust - is not viable. And he was frustrated that the interest from former Hull chairman Adam Pearseon was received so coolly. Wilkinson said: "I spent a lot of time talking to Adam and preparing the way and I genuinely feel that was the way forward, the only way forward, for Notts County if it is to aspire to levels greater than where it is at the moment. "I felt we were getting towards a situation where we had some continuity, stability - a platform we were looking forward to build on. We had turned round the finances but it I feel it is the right decision to go. "Any Trust model with regards running and operating a football club is wrong and does not work. I don't think I can work in a situation where that is going to be the predominant factor. "Everyone is entitled to their view and I wish them all the best. "But I now have no ties, they are severed. I will still be a supporter and look out for the result and come to games if invited or chose to come to watch. I will still talk to the staff and to Steve." Wilkinson insists the club had come out of the dark days to be in its healthiest position for years - perfect for attracting financial investment. "There were black holes everywhere and from the time I joined two-and-a-half years ago we have made remarkable strides," said Wilkinson. "Back then nobody was aware of the real scope of the mess and so clearly dealing with all that and then managing to reach a point of continuity, being on the verge of launching a five-year strategy, was good. "So I am particularly disappointed about what has happened. "I spoke to the manager in the morning and explained the situation and I just felt morally it would be wrong (to continue). "I have never hidden my view and I do not feel the Trust model can work. I hope I am wrong and I give them my best wishes." England under-19s take on Belarus under-19s at Meadow Lane this evening, kick off 7.45pm. Tickets are GBP5 adults on the night and GBP1 concessions. Copyright 2007 Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd, Source: The Financial Times Limited |