Evangelos Marinakis confirms desire to keep Nottingham Forest at the City Ground

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has confirmed his desire to see the club remain at the City Ground.

Forest plan to expand the capacity of their stadium beyond the 40,000 mark, by redeveloping the Peter Taylor Stand into a new two-tier, 10,000-seat facility, while also adding another 5,000 seats to the Bridgford Stand.

The project took a big step forward in July, when the local council voted to sell the land on which the City Ground stands to the club, in a deal expected to be worth around £10million.

Previously, while protracted negotiations had taken place over whether the club would remain on the banks of the River Trent, Forest had briefly considered an alternative plan to build a brand new stadium in Toton.

But Marinakis has doubled down on his desire to remain at the City Ground, saying in an interview with the BBC : "That is where the team belongs, that is where the tradition is. I am sure a 50,000 capacity stadium will be full, watching our team and our passion."

Forest's current plans will see the capacity increased to around 42,000, but Marinakis has big ambitions for the club and hopes that, one day in the future, 50,000 fans could watch the team at the ground that has been their home since 1898.

"I hope that, in the next two or three months, the plans will be approved," added Marinakis. "It is important for the team and for the town. In the years to come, I want us to have one of the best stadiums in England."

Forest have made a positive start to their third season in the Premier League and will head to Brighton on Sunday looking to extend a four-match unbeaten run under Nuno Espirito Santo.

And, at his pre-match press conference, Nuno says the ambition of the Forest owner does push everyone at the club.

"It drives everybody. He is the biggest authority at the club, so his ambition is what guides us – the way he wants to make this club grow and become a stable club... all of these ambitions," said Nuno.

"With the City Ground, as long as it is here it is good. This is what drives us. It goes from the owner to everybody at the training ground. Everybody has to commit themselves and be aware that they are part of something that wants to grow."

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