February 28 – English Championship club Nottingham Forest have extended their lease on The City Ground with the local council that will now enable them to push forward with an expansion of the ground to 38,000.
The famous English club are now under the ownership of Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Markinakis and are currently three points off the play-off places for the Premier League – Marinakis’ targeted destination.
“This is our home and we will remain here forever. The City Ground has iconic history and memories for our supporters and these legacies were fundamental in our decision to remain on the banks of the River Trent and not relocate to an alternative site,” said Marinakis in a statement.
The ground redevelopment will be the first major improvements seen at the stadium since 1994 when it was readied for the Euro96 championships.
Under the new plan the club says there will be a museum, a new club shop, a range of hospitality lounge options and restaurants and executive boxes. There will also be new concourses for general admission supporters as well as improved facilities for disabled supporters.
The next stage is the submission to the council for full planning permission. The new stadium would be the largest in the East Midlands area of England
No cost has been given for the redevelopment but the club said it is hopeful it can start construction before the end of the 2019/20 season.
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