NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUPPORTERS' TRUST Q&A WITH NOTTINGHAM FOREST CHAIRMAN TOM CARTLEDGE

[@jonathanclegg1595]

Significant progress! Work hasnt even started on the stand

[@mattnottm8363]

It will never be built. Thought that when the plans were first announced and then again each time there's been a delay.

[@nicksmith3364]

Disappointing to hear that the new initiatives around temporary "container" stands are going to be corporate and not actually increasing general admission.

[@GiftedGaz78]

He would make a great politician wouldn’t he. To cut a long story short, besides a lick of paint, nothing gunna change.

[@DonMason-xh5rv]

It's all very well Tom talking about selling your season ticket back to the club in circumstances where you cannot attend personally but it doesn't actuall WORK. I am disabled and also have a serious heart condition and there are games I simply cannot attend for health reasons. I cannot for instance risk my heart condition when it is extremely cold. I also have serious mobility issues which come and go and sometimes this also prevents my attendance, even though I have been a regular at games since 1964. On those occasions I always try to make my seat available on the Ticket Exchange but try as I might I just CANNOT access it on my PC. It worked OK when first introduced but now I simply cannot get it to work at all, which is incredibly frustrating.

[@waynewal971]

And you are not the only one the system a waste of time, I can’t even get a reset password code sent despite emails telling them I have given up if I can’t fetch a cup ticket personally, I live in derbyshire, I don’t bother too difficult? Shocking organisation on internet, they want to get the Trent Bridge cricket team in!

[@James-iz9ci]

It's not the most intuitive I must admit.

[@markjohnson-brown5103]

I like Tom and he's a real Tricky Tree. We all have to be patient about developments These things are involve many layers that take time

[@thelouderyouscream]

what do you mean patient have you got any idea how old the Main Stand is and how many years we have been waiting for its development?

[@GiftedGaz78]

The most important this at the moment, besides staying in the premier league, is building the new stand, I personally know of at least 20 people who would go every week. I’m pretty sure we would get 40k and more for the big games.

[@Veniceredmask01]

Very simple with the fans relocation. When we developed the Trent end. All home fans were allocated the bottom of the bridgeford end. Away fans had one block of the lower executive stand

[@russellpearce4981]

Problem is that away fans are allocated 10% still of the stadium’s capacity ?

[@JohnMarsh-f8d]

The Official Supporters Club run coaches to all away matches do The Trust?

[@ashyoung8440]

basically a carbon copy update on the stand redevelopment, that Nick Randall has given 10 times in the last few years.

[@jeffcapes-hy3tr]

Exactly this

[@Holmeview]

Disappointed we did not hear anything anything after safe standing/ rail seats as plenty of other grounds already have them installed

[@MotownShaker]

We don’t even need anything Installed. Football fans stand literally everywhere else in the world.....

[@rjw4762]

Read recently - forget where - that Forest could attract 50,000 for the big games. I personally know of 3 people who are desperate to come, but cannot get tickets. Also, I have 3 friends (not Forest fans) who would like to come to the odd game. The lack of that new stand holds us back - in-fact a capacity of 38,000 is not big enough IMO - nowhere near. Our 'main Stand' is the oldest in the Top 2 Divisions - it's an embrassment. The other issue is the diabolical audio in the BC Stand - can never hear a word over the tannoys, especially when those Half-time Interviews take place.

[@nicksmith3364]

I think if we are going to be a long term premier League side then something around 40,000 is realistic. But beyond that is probably unrealistic and which stands got to be bigger Trent end isn't possible so that leaves the BC or bridgford which both come with issues due to location

[@rjw4762]

Yes, 40,000 is more realistic than this 50,000 figure (which would involve NON-Forest fans attending the big games (similar in fact to what West Ham do, where thousands in attendance are London Visitors). Either way, the stadium isn't fit for purpose in many aspects. @@nicksmith3364

[@forestranger5408]

​@@nicksmith3364 Surely the BC stand could be made into a 3 tier stand and the corner between TE and BC filled in

[@starlightgazer7833]

It's an awful amount of money for so little of a gain in capacity, i know it's much better corporate facilities & making money away from the football but looking at the footprint of that stand it seems very strange the new one can't squeeze in 3 or 5k more with better planning, seems a little short sighted to me, the longer we stay up the bigger the fan base will grow.

[@rjw4762]

I guess the other issue is to make the Bridgford Stand better - though I gather that the reason it dropped on the right hand side is because of the houses behind that complained - they were/are owned by the Guiness Trust, apparently. Councils should do all they can to encourage development of the WFCG - PL football brings in £2m per year to Nottingham's economy. @@starlightgazer7833

[@snads8415]

Surely the club could apply to widen the road that leads down to the Trent End? It's too narrow, full of potholes, badly lit, and forces fans on to the slippy embankment. It needs sorting.

[@courtneyhall4809]

The introduction of temporary "container" stands predominantly focuses on corporate involvement, overlooking an opportunity to expand general admission. Future initiatives should aim for a balanced approach that also enhances the experience of the general audience, fostering inclusivity and diversity in spectator engagement.

[@robinhood007]

Nice guy. Good luck.

[@nigelbaldwin1038]

🤡

[@robertbrown6060]

Would an extra 5,000 seats be enough? Perhaps in the Championship, but I doubt it would be for the PL. As for away tickets, I doubt the club can do anything about that. Unless you are one of the lucky few, and the very odd game like Newcastle and Blackburn last season, there is no realistic chance of an away ticket.

[@nigelbaldwin1038]

What did he actually say❓

[@billytk247]

Nothing,, I'm here to answer your questions, nothing of note or new .

[@ianfell487]

My god that was a dull half hour, basically just waffling on about not much really. What did anybody actually learn from that?

[@PazLeBon]

I don't quite get it, not really. Sounds like he's a marketing guy here, altho I appreciate he's a developer which is fine but I don't quite get the overlap with football there bar the 'marketing'. Was randall involved with marketing per se? I thought he was more about controlling spending. Soo, who is controlling spending? Same guy? so hes a developer, marketer and accountant too on top of being a fan? is he involved in tranfers too? With all these roles is there one left for Wilson, Dourekas, Henderson, Vrentzos, Owen etc? and what input does Kominakis have seeing as he's oneof the owners.. sounds like a lot of cooks

[@TheTomster333]

Need to be aiming for 40K minimum not just adding 5K making it 35K from the redevelopment of the Peter Taylor Stand, why not add more to the stand then that, and what about adding more to others like the Brian Clough stand a whole other seating tier and increasing the small Bridgford End, come on.

[@RobinHood-us7sg]

Not sure redeveloping Clough stand is viable as it’s very old. But definitely makes sense to fill out rest of Bridgford stand to add at least another 3k with it wrapping around.

[@TheTomster333]

Can't see why another tier of like 5K can't be added to the stand at the top tbh, I mean in other videos they do actually mention redoing the Bridgford stand tbf so that should be the next stage after@@RobinHood-us7sg

[@andikarizki.]

Hello friend 🤗 sehat selalu ya ❤️

[@jeffcapes-hy3tr]

Same old waffle. So let me get this straight. 4 years on and we've still no date and we're only going up another 5k? No revising of the plans. We keep chest beating at the "we could fill 50k tickets," yet we'll still only be st 34.5k attendance with restrictions. You sound like Mark Arthur, mate. Nick Randall has told us all this numerous times. Not holding my breath here. Still least it's a "fan" as chairman, eh.

[@chrisbates2162]

Absolute bullshit I’ve just seen Sean Dyche and Ian Woan sat next to 2 empty seats and Michael McIntyre is sat in front - the club is talking crap - real fans would fill those seats

[@JoeHarrison-g8f]

Seems quite narrow and single minded to say city ground is the forever home. The current site isn’t big enough to expand. All stands concourses are too small. New stand won’t happen, believe it when i see it.

[@jeffcapes-hy3tr]

Totally agree

[@tonygmichael6434]

Wuffle...Woffle Waffle~!

[@leonardodic3po607]

Businesslike, but revealed very little information of substance for fans.

[@Africansuperstars]

Nothing new here, possibly a few more Buzz words?

[@Chris-hh1de]

We couldn't fill the City Ground even when we were Champions of Europe🫣. I think the hierarchy are worried that they will redevelop the ground....then, God forbid, we get relegated. I think they are waiting until we are a solid mid table team. Maybe next year hopefully.

[@thelouderyouscream]

its not the same though, that was a time beset by violence and when stadia were rubbish and often death-traps, nowadays we get families, tourists from all around the world as well as die hard reds so the risk is minimal. Look at all the other clubs for proof.

[@DBsta]

Im a My Forest Member and cannot get to any games! So 43,000 tickets have gone to those member is utter lies. Easy Money for Forest charging for pointless memberships!

[@nicksmith3364]

I'm in the same category an i got Burnley in LC, spurs (which there was a good number on) Luton, Brentford. It's not easy but it is possible. I've also got to say I've seen plenty on matchdays where season tickets holders can't go

[@DBsta]

So whats the secret go get the tickets then mate? Im standard My Forest Member. But im Looking for 3 seats together each game?

[@nicksmith3364]

@@DBsta yeah I managed to get 3 together for tomorrow but admittedly that was pure luck. I went on earlier and there was a couple of 2s available for tomorrow. It's pure luck and timing and bit of persistency.

[@DBsta]

@@nicksmith3364 i always pop on there too look for tickets mate and it always comes back with 0 results. Desperately just want to get to as many games as possible! Would like season ticket buy theres no chance of that!!

[@mattnottm8363]

It was always a scam. If they stuck to the same system as last season (tiers dependent on matches attended) they know that nobody would have paid for the lower memberships as they would have zero chance of getting a ticket.

[@Veniceredmask01]

The Brian Clough stand could be made into a 3 tier super stand like liverpools. All hot air nothing is going to happen

[@russellpearce4981]

Lot of hot air on here !

[@Veniceredmask01]

Same old Forest we need a new stadium look at Everton and spurs both similar in stature to us. They are invested in their future. We are not.

[@dazler8550]

There's 10 0000 plus fans carnt get to the game the stadium is not big enough

[@yowhy4305]

Tell me all about this man, his upbringing and his family ethics, in one completely voluntary statement. "I used to sneak in, under my dads Barbour". Boasting about his family defrauding the club they love, whilst attired as respectable folk. Before the gross commercialisation of the game, when he was complicit in this thievery, it was pennies to go to games, so a successful business family have no excuses beyond 'getting away with it'. That, right there, are his "medals on the table".

[@JackMcCormick-q4f]

Sorry, am I reading this right? You're criticizing his actions AS A THREE YEAR OLD? Is that correct?

[@yowhy4305]

Family values. He's a grown up now, still boasting about it

[@JackMcCormick-q4f]

"Tell me all about this man", you said. Can you give me an example of a family value you were taught at 3 that you still live every day today, and that is the sole mark of your character that every stranger should judge you by? "Judging others based on their parents' decisions when they could barely walk", perhaps?

[@yowhy4305]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​@@JackMcCormick-q4f. With pleasure and I'm sorry for you if your family didn't have the time or inclination to do so with you Jack. My dad did his national service in post war Hamburg and was then a postie, my mum a nurse, both from Nottingham. I first went to a game aged 3 (1966) with my dad and his brother, home made zigger zagger rattle, soap box to elevate me above the low wall of the spion kop, you sit there now but call it something else. Even though I'd hazard a guess we had less money than these fine folks, no Barbour's in our wardrobe, in fact no wardrobes, I'd already been taught about right from wrong, respect, don't steal, lie and many more values integral to a functioning community. And I've tried to remember and live by them ever since and pass them on to my kids and grandkids these past 60 years. I'm flawed and have erred and atoned too wherever possible, but what I find vulgar is boasters who in a casual anecdotal way, attempt to appear chummy or ingratiating to the common man. The common man, of my experience, has integrity. Anyway thank you for the insight into your standards Jack, I'm fascinated by what you're evidently advocating (or maybe you're just a bored sophist) but I know i shouldn't really be given your circumstances; I'm off down to the community centre now, those food bank bags won't pack themselves! Happy Christmas.

[@GiftedGaz78]

What did his parents do ?

[@russellpearce4981]

As many negative comments on here that there are on other social media forums….😮, and most seem not to have listened at all , just come for a moan !🤷🏻‍♂️

[@thelouderyouscream]

are you a relative of his, because thats pretty much what you would have to be to find anything positive to say about this interview....40 years an active supporter so I will say what I want....its waffle.

[@jeffcapes-hy3tr]

Moaning about stuff worth moaning about pal. It's all a rehash of what's been said for years. This fella has said nothing we don't already know. All rather, Mark Arthuresqe.

[@russellpearce4981]

Err since planning permission was only given July 2022 then it’s as I say, just come for a moan ? ! It’s not like putting up a new garage you know 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jeffcapes-hy3tr]

@russellpearce4981 Russell, the club got ahead of themselves when announcing we'll have the biggest stadium in the Midlands, this was back in 2019. This was FOUR YEARS AGO. It'll be another 4 years before we get up to a whopping 34k. By which time, Villa and Leicester will have gone above that. Dress it all you want. It's an absolute joke. moaners moaning about a moaners. Do one you clown.

[@AT-db4rn]

Just keep Cooper or we'll turn into Watford...continually changing managers every six months. No stability at the club and there'll be plenty of empty seats!😂

[@justmatt7931]

WE BELIEVE IN STEVE COOPER

[@marklambert2750]

🤔

[@forestfanatic4605]

Get the fuckin stand built it should be 15,000 and bring the Bridgford upper tier level all the way that would be 43,000 38,000 is no good. No apologies for swearing sick of waiting COYR