Nottingham Forest legend Gary Brazil has celebrated his ten-year "labour of love" with the Reds in a heartfelt post on social media.
Brazil, 59, has been an ever-present feature at the City Ground, spending most of his time as a key player in the development of a number of top stars at the Nigel Doughty Academy.
The three-time Forest caretaker manager is now director of football development with the Reds and has helped the likes of Ryan Yates, Joe Worrall, Brennan Johnson, Alex Mighten and Matty Cash with their progression as footballers.
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In a post on social media, Brazil said: "Ten years ago today I started a labour of love with Nottingham Forest. I have been fortunate to work with some outstanding staff and wonderful young footballers, creating a learning environment everyone involved should take enormous pride from. Lots more to achieve @NFFCAcademy."
Brazil was one of the key pioneers in Forest's campaign to achieve category one status. In September 2021, Under-23s head coach Andy Reid touched on Brazil's deep-rooted involvement in the club.
“Within the football club, you have to put the right bricks in the right place," he said. "The more we can do that, the better. If you look at Gary Brazil, he’s really the link between the senior side of the club and the academy. He’s fantastic at that.
“The longer time goes on, that involvement on the senior side will only increase - rightly so, because what he does for the football club can’t be overstated. I know I probably would say that because he’s my immediate boss! But I do see the work he puts in every day. I know his ideas and his visions.
“He’s got a fantastic knowledge of the game. To have him involved in a broader sense around the club, not just the academy, I don’t think the club can go very far wrong.”
