Trentside News

Reds are Mad For It

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest have drawn Manchester City away in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup sponsored by E-on.

The game will be played during the weekend beginning 3 January 2009.

The Reds will take on Mark Hughes' side with the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho strutting their stuff at Eastlands.

Let's hope City splash the cash in the January transfer window to see more World Class footballers taking on the Tricky Trees.

Youngsters sign new deals

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:45:00 GMT

Four Nottingham Forest Youth Academy players have signed new deals at the City Ground.

Matt Thornhill, James Reid and Joe Heath have all signed contracts keeping them at the club until 2011. Adam Newbold has signed until 2010 with an option of a further year should both parties agree.

The club's never-ending conveyor belt of young talent has already seen the likes of Marlon Harewood, Michael Dawson, Jermaine Jenas and Andy Reid move onto Premiership and even International honours in the past.

Calderwood on the brink

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:49:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood is on the brink of the sack according to the National newspapers today.

The Guardian believes former Derby County boss Billy Davies is being lined up to take over whereas The Daily Mail favours a return to football for Sam Allardyce.

With Forest rock bottom of the Championship and facing a crunch game against Barnsley on Saturday, only time will tell if Calderwood can keep hold of his job at The City Ground.

Colin's next Port of call?

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:27:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood is looking to bring in Motherwell striker Chris Porter according to reports.

The 24-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, would be available in the January transfer window if he was keen on a move to Trentside.

Well boss Mark McGhee conceeds that if any reasonable bid comes in for any of his players then there's a good possibility they could leave Fir Park.

He said: "If any bid comes in for any player, we'll discuss it with them, and if they're determined to leave, they'll leave. If not, they'll stay."

David Pleat is believed to have travelled to Scotland to check out the former Oldham Athletic targetman but might not have been overly impressed with what he saw after they fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to Hibernian.

Sheffield United have also been linked with a £250,000 move for Porter and his striker partner John Sutton is also attracting attention from south of the border.

The loan market closes today but Calderwood told the Nottingham Evening Post: "I haven't thought about going into the transfer market today to bring anyone in."

Calderwood targets 'Gers midfielder

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:12:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood is lining up a swoop for Rangers midfielder Chris Burke according to the Scottish press.

The 24-year-old right winger is believed to have been watched by Forest's chief scout Keith Burt during Rangers' recent reserve match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Burke is out of contract at Ibrox this summer so it is thought a minimal fee could grab his services in January, however his £12,000 wages could be a stumbling block in a potential move to Trentside.

Sinclair extends Stags stay

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:28:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest striker Emile Sinclair has extended his loan spell at Mansfield Town by a further month.

The 20-year-old, who netted for the Stags during their 3-0 win over Salisbury over the weekend, has delighted manager Billy McEwan during his loan spell which was due to run out this week.

He told the club's official website: "He's improving all the time and it's great that he's extended his loan spell with us,"

Reds to sign Ireland midfielder?

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:33:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest could be set to move for Stoke City and Republic of Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan according to reports.

The 24-year-old could join the Reds on loan initially with a view to a permanent transfer with Lee Martin likely to return to Manchester United.

Whelan signed for Stoke during last season's January transfer window for £500,000 from Sheffield Wednesday.

Reds deny takeover talk

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:09:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest have moved quickly to deny reports linking the club with a takeover from a Middle East consortium.

The group, allegedly based in Dubai, want former European Cup winner Martin O'Neill at the helm should a multi-million pound buy-out happen.

Nottingham Forest Chief Executive Mark Arthur has dismissed claims as 'complete rubbish' but recent news has also linked the club with a potential takeover including former Notts County and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce.

For more information, see: http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/70746

Disappointed Cole Retires

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:31:00 GMT

Former Nottingham Forest, England, Manchester United and Newcastle striker Andrew Cole has, as expected, announced his retirement from the game.

The 37-year-old had his contract cancelled at The City Ground last month after a lack of first-team opportunities and was hugely disappointed with the way in which his career came to a conclusion on Trentside.

He told The Times: "I told them from the outset that I didn't want to go there to sit on the bench because I didn't want to be perceived as sitting back and making easy money,

"I wanted to go there and offer something, but it was a strange one from the start.

With £1.14m signing Joe Garner returning to action, Cole began to find himself fourth choice with being behind Earnshaw and Tyson in Colin Calderwood's pecking order.

In a small parting shot at the Tricky Trees, Cole connotes the announcement of his signing on the Friday before general season ticket sales on the Saturday may have had a bearing on the Reds securing his services.

He added: "I never knew what my role was. Was it to lend a hand, use my experience or was it a PR thing, to sell a few more season tickets."

Cole will always be fondly remembered by Newcastle United fans under the original Keegan days and Manchester United will think back to the record-breaking treble year in 1999 at Old Trafford. Forest fans however may have a different opinion.

Cole leaves club

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:38:00 GMT

Former Manchester Utd and Newcastle striker Andrew Cole has left Nottingham Forest by mutual consent.

The 37-year-old, who is believed to have been on around £15,000 per week, had his contract cancelled last Friday.

Manager Colin Caldwerwood told the club's official website: "It's a shame things haven't worked out as well as we had both planned when Andrew joined us and we came to the joint conclusion that it was best we went our separate ways.

"But I would like to place on record my thanks for the contribution Andrew has made and wish him all the best for the future."

Cole has struggled to make an impression at the City Ground and fell further down the pecking order with the return to fitness of £1.14m summer signing Joe Garner. Rumours suggest Cole may retire from the game.

Forest's Dunne Deal

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:46:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest have signed Arsenal youngster James Dunne after a successful trial at the City Ground.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been a regular for Arsenal reserves and their Under 18s side over the past two seasons and goes straight into Nottingham Forest's reserves with a view to making the first-team squad this season.

Because he is under the age of 24, Arsenal are due a small sum in compensation but it is unlikely to be much as he was in the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Abu Ogogo and Paul Rodgers, the other Arsenal lads Colin Calderwood had on trial, have failed to win contracts at the City Ground and have returned to London.

ITV announce Clough documentary

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:58:00 GMT

ITV Sport have announced they will be producing a major Brian Clough documentary to celebrate 30 years since Nottingham Forest lifted the European Cup next spring.

The documentary is to be more of a tribute rather than controversial unlike David Peace's 'The Damned United' and film based on the same book.

The book seriously upset Brian Clough's family but it is thought this latest offering from ITV should show the great man for what he was by using their many hours of archive footage.

Camp joins on loan

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:17:00 GMT

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp has joined Nottingham Forest on a three-month loan deal.

The 24-year-old former Derby County stopper has fallen down the pecking order at Loftus Road following the arrival of Radek Cerny last summer but was on the substitutes bench during the Hoops' 2-1 victory over the Reds at the weekend.

The deal has an option to become permanent in the January transfer window but reports also suggest QPR have a 24-hour recall option on the player.

As a result, rookie goalkeeper Dale Roberts' loan at Rushden & Diamonds has also been extended until January.

Emile joins Stags on loan

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:05:00 GMT

Young Nottingham Forest striker Emile Sinclair has joined nearby neighbours Mansfield Town on loan.

The 20-year-old has joined for an initial one-month loan now that Joe Garner is battling back to fitness and he will go straight into Billy McEwan's squad to face Dean Saunders' Wrexham in the Blue Square Premier Division tomorrow at Field Mill.

Former Nottingham Forest utility man John Thompson has joined Notts County on loan from League One side Oldham Athletic.

The 27-year-old made more than 100 appearances on Trentside during an six-year stint and joins up with Ian 'Charlie' McParland at Meadow Lane.

Another former Red, Phil Starbuck, has taken over the reigns at Grantham Town. The 39-year-old former Arnold Town, Hednesford and Hucknall Town boss will be looking at improving the Gingerbreads' fortunes who currently lie 14th in the Unibond League.

Colin swoops for Carl

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:17:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest have made a bid to bring Crystal Palace midfielder Carl Fletcher to the City Ground on a months loan.

The 28-year-old Wales international is on the transfer list at Selhurst Park and could join the Reds in time to face Q.P.R. tomorrow.

Fletcher made his name at Bournemouth before a £275,000 move to West Ham. After helping guide the Hammers to the Premiership through the playoffs and to an FA Cup final which they eventually lost to Liverpool, he became surplus to requirements at Upton Park and moved across London to Crystal Palace for £400,000.

He has made 343 appearances for club and and country so far in his career and has scored 27 goals.

Thomas to run NY Marathon

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:17:00 GMT

Former Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Geoff Thomas is to run the New York Marathon on Sunday 2 November to help raise money for blood cancer patients.

The 44-year-old was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2003 and was given just months to live but has since made a full recovery after he received a bone marrow transpant from his sister.

He has already raised over £1m for leukaemia research and the Geoff Thomas Foundation aims to raise £20m to fund blood cancer drug trials at six centres across the UK including Nottingham.

He said: "I have watched many fellow patients lose their battle with blood cancer and I can't watch my friends die and do nothing.

"Lance Armstrong was a huge inspiration to me and it has always been my ambition to go to America and have a team running in New York."

Altough Thomas suffered with injury in his time on Trentside, he became somewhat of a fans favourite and made 27 appearances in the Garibaldi Red scoring five times.

Anyone who would like to donate to the fund can do so at www.geoffthomasfoundation.com.

Trio to step up return

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:16:00 GMT

Nottingham Forest reserves take on Walsall reserves at the City Ground tonight where three players will be continuing their trail to match fitness.

Joe Garner, Paul Anderson and Lewis McGugan are all likely to feature as they attempt to force their way into Colin Calderwood's first team squad to travel to Loftus Road on Saturday where they face pre-season bookie favourites Queens Park Rangers.

Kick-off is 7pm and admission is free.

Clough statue date revealed

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:33:00 GMT

The long-awaited Brian Clough statue will be unveiled in Nottingham's Market Square on Thursday 6 November at 1pm by his widow Barbara.

The £60,000 statue will sit in front of Bar Vienna at the meeting of King and Queen Street and was funded by money raised from The Brian Clough Statue Fund and help from Nottingham City Council.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Newbon is said to be the compere for the afternoon with Forest boss Colin Calderwood, first-team players, Reds legend Nigel Clough, former England international Gary Lineker and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson rumoured to be among the guests.

Palace physio's split loyalties

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:53:00 GMT

Crystal Palace physio Nigel Cox will be aiming for an Eagles victory at the weekend - despite being a huge Nottingham Forest fan.

Cox was a regular at The City Ground during the glory days of Brian Clough and views John Robertson as the only player he would be prepared to pay to watch alone.

He told the South London Press: "I grew up on Nottingham Forest and there is a big family following,

"I was thrilled to bits that Forest finally got out of League One. With the money they spent and the ambition they showed in the summer, people would’ve expected them to do better, but I wasn’t sure some of the signings made were the right ones to take the club forward.

"I don’t like to see them languishing where they are."

Despite being a Red at heart, Cox would love nothing better than to take three points back to Selhurst Park.

He added: "I want Palace to win, there is nothing more sure than that. We need the points - but at the end of the season I want Forest to be okay as well."

Reds look at Wenger's Arsenal youngsters

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:43:45 GMT

Nottingham Forest have taken three players on trial from Arsenal and are set to play two reserves games in a bid to seal a permanent move to the City Ground.

Defensive midfielder James Dunne, 19, central defender Paul Rodgers, 18, and right full-back Abu Ogogo, 18, are set to play against Shrewsbury reserves on Wednesday.

Calderwood told the Nottingham Evening Post: "They are young players who they are trying to move on and get careers at another club, because they (Arsenal) believe they are good enough for that,"