Nottingham Forest will return to the Premier League and a possible £170 million increase in revenues after beating Huddersfield 1-0 in Sunday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Levi Colwill’s own goal settled football’s most lucrative match, with Forest now looking forward to a huge payday in the top-flight.
Manager Steve Cooper hailed the club as “magical” for reminding the world of its rich history at home and in Europe – some 23 years after they were last in the top division.
Promotion to the top-flight is estimated to be worth at least £170 million in increased revenues for the club, plus a further £120 million or so for the local economy.
Nottingham City Council leader Coun David Mellen said: “This is a huge moment for Nottingham. We said last week that, beyond the sheer pride and joy that promotion brings, having a team in the Premier League offers the local economy an estimated £120 million boost.
“We expect it could lead to an extra 100,000 people coming to the city as visiting football fans, as well as an increase in national reputation helping to attract students applying to our two universities and people looking for holiday breaks, along with extra spend by Premier League club staff and players.
“But above all that, this is simply a wonderful moment for Nottingham and we hope many Forest supporters, their families and city residents are able to join the players outside the Council House tomorrow. For those who unfortunately can’t attend, the event will be live-streamed.”
And owner Evangelos Marinakis vowed promotion was “only the beginning” for Nottingham Forest.
Since taking over in May 2017, the Greek has targeted a return to the Premier League – and five years later, his dream has become a reality.
He was at Sunday’s match to witness the climax to a remarkable season, lifting the trophy and taking time to congratulate the manager, coaching staff and players.
On social media, he paid tribute to Cooper, along with CEO Dane Murphy, director of football Kyriakos Dourekas and his son, Miltiadis, who has taken a greater role in running the club this season.
Marinakis wrote: “Nottingham Forest is back where it belongs after 23 long years. We are back in the @premierleague!
“I am extremely proud of everyone in the Club for this historic achievement. I am grateful for the fantastic support from our fans who have proven that we are a solid #NFFC family.
“I would personally like to congratulate the coach Steve Cooper and his team who have done a fantastic job since they took over, the management, Dane, Koulis and my son @mil7iadis who as of this year has played a significant role in the turnaround of the Club.
“As of today we are aiming to rewrite history and win more trophies! This is only the beginning REDS. #Believe #WeKeepOnDreaming @officialnffc”
Cooper inherited a Forest side bottom of the table and winless after seven matches in September.
At the end of an arduous route to promotion, the 42-year-old struggled to keep his emotions in check.
He said: “I’m so glad everybody at the club gets to do their job in the Premier League.
“There’s no doubt we deserve to be promoted, the football we played, the games we’ve won, the attitude we’ve given. Every time we’ve had an average game we’ve recovered.
“I’m just really proud of everybody connected with the football club: it’s a magical football club, and we’ve just reminded the world of that. It isn’t about individuals, success is about the team, the football club.
“I knew it before I came but when I walked in the biggest thing that struck me is how proud people are of this football club.
“It’s such a nostalgic, brilliant, massive club that everyone knows.
“And I’m so delighted we can go to the Premier League and the supporters and everyone connected to the club can experience that.
“It’s been a brilliant season, the players have provided a fantastic attitude and culture, and the training ground is such a good laugh; there’s a real pride and togetherness.”
