Sleeping Giants

No longer does our league status undermine the stature of our beloved Forest. Steve Cooper has tirelessly, but seemingly effortlessly, shed the sleeping giant skin that has haunt us for too long and led us into a new chapter of our club’s illustrious history.

Premier league football is returning to our home by the river and we are back where we belong. Of course, no team has a divine right to play in the most prestigious league in world football. But this season we have been, in the words of Cooper, ‘good for it’, deserving of the riches and plaudits that come with promotion.

Forest fans, like myself, who have endured the worst period in our club’s history now no longer have to rely on past glories to bask in. Cooper and his men have created new memories for the next generation to relish for a lifetime, giving us something to be proud of in the here and now.

Quite frankly, this is what our wonderful fans deserve. The financial and emotional sacrifice of the Garibaldi faithful have been colossal, particularly during the dark days of league 1 football. I vividly remember away days at Scunthorpe and Rochdale, both ending in defeat. I recall wondering how in earth this was the same club that conquered England and Europe.

Although it has taken a while, we finally have a group of staff and players that play a brand of football that represent the values and history of our great club. But none of this could be possible without the manager of the season, the magic Stevey Cooper.

The Welshman has captured the hearts and minds of the people and has secured his place in Nottingham Forest history. We have a long list of managers who have tried and failed, some more drastically than others. But finally, after years of pain and misery, we got one. And boy has he delivered, conducting himself with the utmost class, integrity and passion. Long may he tenure continue.

The giants of European football are back, and we’re here to stay.

You Reds.