Talks for the extension of the club’s lease of the City Ground have stalled in recent months, and a number of councillors have infuriated Nottingham Forest fans with their most recent idea.
Nottingham Forest’s future at the City Ground remains uncertain, with reports last week indicating that the club may be forced to hunt for a new home after discussions with the city council failed.
With the club’s tenure on the City Ground uncertain, a party on Nottingham City Council has proposed relocating to land near Toton Tram Station.
Councillors are discussing the news, which is deemed a ‘last resort’. We’d recommend that they pay notice to some of the following comments from Reds supporters, as they make their sentiments extremely clear;
Kingie: Moving Forest to Toton! Is the City Council taking the piss? Or are they simply grasping at straws? Next, they will alter the club’s name to Derby Forest. Oh, LOLA, MY DEAR!
Having said that, paying £ 1 million in rent on the current location pales in comparison to the £173 million spent last year on players, not to mention the overspending on wages, which violated the FFP regulations. Come on, REDS, support your city and stop keeping it and your fans hostage merely to boost your net profit.
Wanwan: No, I forgot Toton. The only acceptable alternative would be the embankment, a massive area capable of supporting 50-60k people with built-in infrastructure close to the Trent. Nearby park and ride and tram stops; walkable from town. Would provide enormous benefits to the meadows.
Cloughs1980red: Whoever recommended this should think twice. If this is such a great idea, given what is going on at Everton with their new stadium and PSR, a new stadium build should not even be considered at this time, as the club does not even know which league we will be playing in or if we will face additional sanctions. While a new stadium would be ideal, this location is perfectly situated between Nottingham and Derby.
I can just imagine Richard Masters or Rick Parry looking through an Atlas to find Toton and discovering that it is smack dab in the middle of two East Midland cities, then either one of them saying that instead of the club’s name remaining Nottingham Forest, it should become Derby Forest. After all, Wimbledon was previously known as MK Dons. Also, what happens if we choose this option as a club? Will they allow us to play at the City Ground while they build a new stadium, or will we do a Coventry and go from ground to venue to fulfill our matches season after season? For my part, I believe we should stay put and see if Evangelos can buy out the lease. I, for one, do not want one of those flat-pack stadiums with a sponsor. It has been the City Ground for more than a century, and it must remain that way.
Redspaniel: If Forest moves, they should consider more than just the stadium. They can consider entertainment and other revenue-generating activities, conference facilities, groups (such as sports clubs), and scouts. All of these things require facilities and space that we do not now have. In today’s environment, we must create income in order to compete. Staying in City Grounds limits us.
RoanBlue: The problem I perceive is the infrastructure surrounding here. Over the last thirty years, it has deteriorated to the point that nothing remains. Talk about ghost towns. It is possible for supporters to arrive at the stadium, watch the game, and then leave. During HS2, the A52 was planned to have a slip road down to the station, which would be located at Toton sidings. The train from Nottingham to this area is not feasible because the only stations are Ilkeston or Sawley Junction.
If I remember rightly, the tram was also down for extension to the sidings. Parking nearby would be a problem for football traffic. There would need to be dedicated parking on the grounds. Although it would be convenient for me to have a short commute to the ground because I live nearby, it is simply not feasible.
Weaponsgrade: Too distant from the city, with limited transportation options and minimal amenities. The pubs and chip shops that we enjoy on match days will all disappear. We need the WFCG.
A group of Nottinghamshire County councillors proposed this as a “last resort” option for the club. They intend to explore this more at a forthcoming meeting. “We have watched with increasing frustration the breakdown of talks over a new lease between Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Forest,” said David Martin, an independent councillor from Selston. This has created uncertainty about Nottingham Forest’s future at the world-famous City Ground, where it has played since 1898.
He also stated, “It is evident that as a county council, we must reach out to the club, which is an economic powerhouse in our county. Toton already has the infrastructure, which includes a tram stop and a train station, according to Nottinghamshire Live.
Furthermore, he proposed that “any new stadium at Toton will far exceed the current capacity of the City Ground.” If Nottinghamshire County Council is serious about assisting the club’s expansion, then examining possibilities at this stage is extremely prudent and would only be a last choice.”
