Dear Steve 3rd February 1998 Thank you for your letter and I share your concern that Nott's games are not presently covered by live broadcast. I appreciate your interest and acknowledge that a great many fans which are unable to attend away matches would prefer live commentary. You are aware that I have gone into this matter at great length with BBC Radio Nottingham and it is a fact that they have allocated their entire budget for live football commentary for season 1997/98 to Nottingham Forest F C. At this point may I stress that this was a commercial decision taken exclusively by BBC Radio Nottingham. I think it also important to acknowledge that BBC Radio Nottingham extend excellent coverage of Notts County through the week and indeed on match days - both home and away - via pregand post match interviews and reports and 8 score flashes during the match. We appreciate that cover and indeed I consider it to be substantial for those supporters who are unable or choose not to attend matches in person. I have taken the view that if we permit free match commentary then there is no incentive for the Broadcaster to pay what are minimal rates set out in an agreement between the Football League and the BBC. It is a fact that most local BBC Stations elect to broadcast live commentary on the teams in their area and pay the agreed fee. I believe my position is correct for Notts County both as a matter of principal - BBC Radio Nottingham have the funds but choose to spend them else where and commercially if we are to persuade any radio station to do the right thing and pay the statutory fees. If sufficient people complain both locally and nationally to the BBC then they may be persuaded to allocate part of their budget to Notts County. Finally, There are often difficult decisions to be taken but this is part of my job and I can assure you that I take this decision with the long term interests of Notts County foremost. Thank you for your continued support. Kind regards Geoff Davey Managing Director

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Last Update 8 February 1998

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