No last game for terminally ill Forest fan
RED TAPE DEFEATS STEVE’S CAMPAIGN
A NOTTINGHAM Forest fan with terminal cancer fears he won’t be able to see his side play in person before he dies – after efforts to get him into the City Ground for a final match were unsuccessful.
Forest asked relevant Government authorities, via the English Football League, for legislation to be amended to permit lifelong supporter Steve Brough entry due to his exceptional circumstances.
The 52-year-old, who has only weeks to live, hoped to get into the Easter Monday home game against QPR.
But he was disappointed when he found out the club’s request had been turned down by the powers that be – and he said he would have been well enough to see Chris Hughton’s side pick up all three points.
Mr Brough, a lorry driver who lives in Heanor and fears he may only have a fortnight left to live, said: “On the day itself I watched the first half and then went to bed.
“I was just that upset about it really, I just went to bed – I missed the second half. I was tired anyway. I’m just a bit disappointed really, I’m not blaming Forest – they have to go through the red tape.
“Like they said, it’s out of their hands and I can’t argue with that.
“But I would have made sure I was well enough for the QPR game.”
Had he been able to watch his side, he said: “It would have been quite emotional for me, knowing I got to see Forest once more before I die.
“I just wanted to go one more time to see a game.
“That would have been the ideal game, winning 3-1.
“I will probably die in the next fortnight – I don’t think I will be able to go again.”
The father-of-two explained he was unable to make the memories he would like in his time left because of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
He compares the situation to being on “Death Row”, saying: “I can’t even get a weekend away, can I?”
Mr Brough was “truly humbled” by messages of support from fans of different clubs.
“The pain is increasing day and night,” he added. “I can still walk at the minute. I can’t walk far – I have to have a mobility chair or something to walk far.
“Basically, I am just going downhill. I am not getting any better.”
Last month, the Reds issued a statement saying that current regulations did not allow supporters to attend matches, “even in these very sad circumstances”, but that the club had held “positive discussions” with the EFL to “permit entry in exceptional circumstances”.
A Nottingham Forest spokesman said: “The thoughts of everybody at the club remain with Steve and his family.
“We are continuing to liaise directly with the Brough family to offer all the support possible to Steve at this very difficult time.”
Mr Brough has received a series of videos of support from Forest players past and present.
“The messages I had from Forest players have been fantastic,” he said.
“I have had some lovely messages from them.”