Nottingham Forest fans responded after the club provided “absolute clarity” on the City Ground situation.
Nottingham City Council announced on Monday that the Reds have struck a deal in principle to buy the property on which the stadium will be built.
The club’s future at the City Ground was uncertain due to a dispute with the council, which owns the property, over rent and a new lease, and a deadlock between the two parties prompted the team to consider relocating.
Councillor Neghat Khan, leader of Nottingham City Council, said in a statement on X: “I am pleased to inform that discussions with Nottingham Forest have led in principle terms being agreed for the club to purchase the site on which the City Ground stands.
“I vowed decisive action to ensure the future of Nottingham Forest’s world-famous City Ground, which has served as their home for almost 125 years, and we have delivered. Football is staying at home in Nottingham, and the mist from the Trent will continue to flow in for many years.
“The terms of the agreement will be presented to the council’s executive board for approval on July 16. If agreed upon, subject to formal contracts and thorough diligence, this will be a historic day for the club, its fans, and our city. This is what everyone hoped for.
“It will allow the team to pursue its ambitious stadium expansion plans while simultaneously providing the council with a major financial receipt. The council and club have agreed that provisions will be incorporated into the selling deal to protect the council’s position in the extremely unlikely event that the club decides to relocate from the City Ground in the future.
“We understand that this has been an uncertain time for supporters, but property transactions like this can often be long and complex. We are legally bound to seek best value for our taxpayers, and we feel that the deal now on the table satisfies that requirement and works for Forest, entrusting the future of this important asset to the club.
“The council is incredibly proud of our sporting heritage here in Nottingham and the great work the clubs do in engaging with our communities. They are woven into the fabric of our city, and we wish them every success on and off the pitch. As for Forest, we hope this deal helps them realise their ambitions and, following on from Thursday’s (general) election result, many more victories for the team in red.”
Forest made a statement on the matter on Monday evening. It read: “After today’s comments from the leader of the City Council, the Club wishes to clarify the situation for supporters and stakeholders regarding the freehold for The City Ground.
“For absolute clarity, we continue to work on the terms for a conditional deal for the purchase of the freehold. Any decision to purchase the freehold will be entirely conditional on Nottingham Forest first being granted the relevant permissions that will allow us to realise our hugely ambitious plans for a significantly larger stadium capacity, world-class hospitality spaces and associated substantial real estate development in the vicinity of the ground.
“Our discussions remain confidential and the Club will update fans when meaningful progress has been achieved.”
Here is how fans reacted to the latest update on social media platform X:
Dan: Just get it done. It’s what the fans want.
Ash Young: No point buying the land if they won’t let us build. Totally understand it. They must be fuming with them going public. Keep plugging away. We will get there.
Paul: Great position by the club. Freehold without permission to build the stadium we need would be a massive chain around our necks.
Joe: Will only be worth purchasing if we can expand, otherwise no point. Fair play forest.
Jim: Fully agree, Forest. All parties aligned and agreed or no deal (well conditional deal!)
Will H: Makes complete sense and hopefully we get the permission
ForestRav: Purchasing the freehold without guarantees regarding building permissions wouldn’t make much sense. A deal isn’t done until both parties are happy to sign.
Worcester Red: This is smart from Forest. Council jumping the gun. We obviously want the full package to include accepted plans on all the work to be done. Not buy the land then council to play hard ball.
