Reds legend moved by dad tribute
GARRY Birtles has thanked Nottingham Forest’s supporters for their tribute to his late father on Tuesday night.
The Reds legend, who won two European Cups under Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980, lost his father, Ray, 88, last week, and the club paid their own tribute by putting a message on the big screen at the City Ground towards the end of the first half against West Brom.
Birtles was present at the game which saw Aitor Karanka’s men draw 1-1 with Albion in front of almost 28,000 fans at the City Ground, and he was left touched by the response of the crowd.
“I’d like to thank the fans for their fantastic applause when they saw my dad’s tribute come up on the big screen,” he told the Post.
A Forest fan, Ray was a keen supporter of Garry’s football career, one which has been well-documented in taking him from being a carpet fitter in Long Eaton, to a double European Cup winner, before moving to play for Manchester United and back again.
Birtles reminisces about the times his father took him to watch his beloved Forest, standing on a box in the Trent End as a young boy.
“He was a Forest fan and took me to all the games when I was a kid in the Trent End, or children’s pen as it was called in those days - we used to stand on a box,” he said.
“A lot of people I know still go and watch the club and said some really nice things, so all in all, it was a great night. He was brilliant for me and my sister, she was horse riding and still is.
“He used to take us everywhere and me and my mates to football matches.
“Without him I wouldn’t be sat here now and I just wanted us to do something for him from myself and my sister.”
Birtles enjoyed a fine career, laden with medals and a sprinkling of England caps, and the 62-year-old admits that, as proud as his dad would be of his career, he is equally as proud of him.
“He went to both European Cup finals, he went everywhere, he came to all the games, I remember him going to Anfield to watch the game there - he was very much into his football,” he added.
“He used to take me on the beaches when we went to Wales, we’d play head tennis and he’d get me to kick with my right foot rather than my left foot and things like that.
“I’m just very thankful that it happened.
“I’m very proud of him.” Reds fans rose to applause Ray when the message appeared on the big screen and Birtles admits it left him a little emotional.
“The fans saw it and all of a sudden, you saw the applause around the ground which brought a lump to my throat, so a massive thank you to them for that,” he said.
“That’s what Forest fans are like, it was brilliant.”
Ray’s funeral will be held at Bramcote Crematorium on Tuesday, August 28, at 2:45pm.