Notts County midfielder Jim O’Brien believes that last summer’s turbulent financial uncertainty has helped sparked the club’s resurgence because it made them a united force.
The Magpies have experienced a remarkable turnaround this season after surviving one of the most troubling periods in their history this time last year.
The club was suffered significant and serious financial problems because of their debts which led to staff not being paid while the club was also under a transfer embargo.
But after the Reedtz brothers completed their takeover in late July to save them from the brink, the club has made huge progress on and off the pitch.
They now stand two victories away from returning to the Football League at the first attempt and play Barnet in a National League play-off semi final on Saturday.
And O’Brien, who was part of the squad who experienced all the troubles of last summer, believes that the turmoil brought the fans, staff and players together and has made them stronger as a result.
“It all seems a long time ago and that’s probably due to lockdown,” he said.
“It’s been so dramatic and I think what we went through as a club, it actually helped us in a strange way.
“The players, the office staff, the ground staff and the chefs - everybody was in the same boat.
“I was out of contract so I didn’t mind speaking up.
“But I felt that it brought the club together as a whole.
“We knew the fans were right behind us as well because they had that worry of not having a club to support.”
