Further details on the news that Notts County have agreed a new deal with Nottingham Rugby...
Notts County can confirm that heads of terms have been agreed on a new deal that will see Nottingham Rugby playing their home games at their Lady Bay base in West Bridgford from early in 2015.
Under the terms of the new agreement, which was signed on Friday, Nottingham Rugby’s Premiership Playing Rights agreement has been extended until the end of the 2022.23 season, meaning that if the club were to reach the top flight of English rugby’s domestic structure in this time, they would return to Meadow Lane to play their home fixtures.
However, that move would be subject to Nottingham Rugby laying a new, fit-for-purpose playing surface at Meadow Lane that would be able to cope with the rigours of both football and rugby for an entire season.
Nottingham Rugby’s final home game at Meadow Lane is expected to be the match against London Scottish on Sunday 4 January 2015, with their first fixture at Lady Bay due to be the visit of Plymouth on Sunday 18 January.
Notts County Chief Executive Jim Rodwell said of the new deal: “I think this is a good move for both clubs really, as the deal that we had in place previously, whilst fit for purpose when it was signed, wasn’t working for either party in truth and so I am delighted that we have been able to find a solution that works for both Notts County and Nottingham Rugby.
“I would like to thank Nottingham Rugby for the manner in which they have conducted discussions on this matter as I appreciate that it was a sensitive subject, but I think that the new deal will serve both parties well.
“Nottingham Rugby have a very clear vision to reach the Premiership in the near future and should they achieve this we would welcome them back to Meadow Lane under the terms of this new extended deal, which we feel would benefit Notts County significantly also, so we will be happy to see the Green and Whites secure their place in the top flight.”