THE incredibly excessive spending at Notts County under former owners Munto Finance has once again been laid bare, following the publication of a report by the Football League that shows the League Two champions paid out almost £250,000 to players' agents last season.

Munto made a string of high-profile signings after taking over at Meadow Lane last July, most notably capturing former Denmark U21 international goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from Premier League Manchester City.

The actual figure Notts paid out to agents is £246,483, which is more than seven Championship clubs, including Blackpool, who won promotion into the Premier League. They spent only £40,000 on agents' fees.

Only three League One clubs – Southampton (£401,248), Norwich City (£381,681) and Leeds United (£335,723) – paid more to agents than the Magpies.

Nottingham Forest were the fourth-highest spenders on agents' fees in the Championship last season, splashing out £739,450.

Newcastle United, who won the Championship title, spent £1,073,076 and runners-up West Bromwich Albion spent £950,135. Middlesbrough spent the most of any club in the Football League, a whopping £1,464,200.

In total, the spending of Football League clubs on agents' fees has increased by a staggering £3.9m in the last 12 months, rising from £8.8m to £12.7m.

On announcing the latest figures, Football League chairman Greg Clarke voiced his concern.

He said: "Given the current economic climate, it is worrying to see such a significant amount leaking from the game.

"This year's figures demonstrate a considerable increase on those of last season and it is essential that clubs work to reduce this liability over the coming campaign."