Plans show club is looking forward

NOTTINGHAM Forest’s redevelopment plans show how owner Evangelos Marinakis strives for continuous improvement, according to Steve Cooper.

The Reds first announced a multimillion-pound project to rejuvenate the City Ground in 2019, setting out their intention to transform their home into a world-class venue.

Last week, they submitted updated proposals to Rushcliffe Borough Council for a sustainable and environmentally-friendly travel plan for visitors to the stadium.

It is hoped that will be the final piece in the jigsaw before a full and final planning submission in the new year.

And at the same time as providing that update, the club also revealed plans to further develop training facilities at the Nigel Doughty Academy, on Wilford Lane.

“I think it’s really important,” said head coach Cooper of the two projects. “We don’t go wanting for anything here, that’s for sure.

“Are there some things which could be better? Yeah, there are. There’s nothing that stops us from doing a good job, but there is some stuff which could be improved on.

“OK, my domain, if you like, is the training ground – and if the club are looking to invest and improve the training facilities, then that can only be a positive thing, especially in this time when money is probably not the easiest to spend in football.

“We’ve got an owner who really wants to improve all areas of the club. That’s a real positive message.

“From our point of view, it shows we’ve got a plan here, we’ve got a long-term strategy and improving the facilities is an important part of that.

“Of course we want to be really at our best and successful in the here and now, in the present moment. But we also want to build for the future as well. Having the right facilities is a really important factor in all of that.

“I think it’s a really important message to everybody that we’ve got to continue to strive to improve, because we’ve obviously got an ownership that wants that.”

Plans for the academy include a new two-storey building with 14 changing rooms, three classrooms, a gym, a physio room, an analysis suite, a guest parents’ lounge and canteen facilities, plus additional on-site car parking.

As for the City Ground project, although planning permission has yet to be approved, Marinakis has already spent more than £2m directly related to it.

Work had been due to begin last summer, starting with knocking down and then rebuilding the Peter Taylor Stand to accommodate an increased 10,000 capacity.

But that was put on hold due to delays in the planning process.

“I do like the history around the stadium as it is; the mystique about it and the nostalgia, there’s no doubt about that,” said Cooper.

“It’s a very unique place – and we don’t want to lose that, of course.

“But if we can keep that, which is what we built on, while also looking forward, improving and progressing things, then that’s great. That’s what we want to do with all of the club, to be honest – who we represent, who we work for, but also try to create positive next new eras, if you like.”