Boss Steve Cooper spoke of his “powerful connection” with Nottingham Forest fans as they turned out in their thousands to celebrate promotion to the Premier League.
The city’s Old Market Square was jam-packed for a special event to mark the Reds’ return to the top-flight, following Sunday’s victory at Wembley. Cooper and his squad, along with owner Evangelos Marinakis, appeared on the Council House balcony and were serenaded by the crowd below.
The head coach even did his trademark fist-pumps as supporters revelled in a carnival atmosphere. It was a fitting end to a remarkable season which saw Forest go from bottom of the table when Cooper arrived last September to being crowned play-offs winners.
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Marinakis' pledge
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has vowed promotion is “only the beginning” for Nottingham Forest.
The Reds ended a 23-year absence from the top-flight as they triumphed 1-0 over Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. And the achievement marks a realisation of Marinakis’ ambition for the club.
Since taking over in May 2017, the Greek has targeted a return to the Premier League. Five years later, his dream has become a reality, with boss Steve Cooper succeeding where many others before him had fallen short.
Marinakis was at the national stadium to witness the climax to a remarkable season, lifting the trophy and taking time to congratulate the manager, as well as some of the coaching staff and players. On social media, he paid tribute to the Welshman, along with CEO Dane Murphy, director of football Kyriakos Dourekas and his son, Miltiadis, who has taken a greater role in the running of the club this season.
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Warnock responds
Neil Warnock has responded to a jibe aimed at him by Nottingham Forest loanee Djed Spence.
The Reds wing-back tweeted a picture of himself smoking a cigar after Forest's Championship play-off final win at Wembley, accompanying it with a message welcoming Warnock to Twitter after the 73-year-old signed up to the social media platform recently.
Warnock was the Middlesbrough manager who allowed Spence to leave the club on loan for Forest and, at the time, predicted that the future could quickly go south for his young defender if things didn't go well.
Warnock has now responded to Spence with some nice words for the Boro loanee, while finding time to have a little quip back about his cigar picture.
Johnson excited
Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson says he "can't wait to play" for the Reds next season after helping them into the Premier League.
The Reds ended a 23-year absence from the top-flight thanks to a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in front of 37,000 Forest fans.
Johnson has been one of the star players under boss Steve Cooper this season, but has received plenty of interest from rival clubs due to his excellent performances.
The 21-year-old Nigel Doughty Academy graduate has scored 18 times in the Championship this season - including twice in the play-offs - and provided nine assists on the Reds' journey to the Premier League.
