Nottingham Forest released its 2024–25 Fan Engagement Plan hardly a day before announcing a change in chairmanship.
Tom Cartledge’s statement was part of the strategy. “It is an honor to hold the position of chairman as a lifelong Forest fan,” he stated.
The club declared the next day that Nicholas Randall had been reappointed to the position and that Cartledge had resigned. Less than a year had passed since the former had replaced the latter.
But even if it is a different (although familiar) face in the job, another portion of Cartledge’s remark on the Fan Engagement Plan should still remain true. One fundamental tenet need to endure.
Cartledge said, “The club has experienced an amazing transition since promotion to the Premier League with significant investment both on and off the pitch.” “It is very important to me that the fans are at the center of everything that we will accomplish, together, especially with more exciting investment in the works.”
Despite not being a lifetime Forest supporter like Cartledge, Randall is fully aware of the importance Reds supporters have to the team. Having served in that capacity for six years, he is also fully aware of the duties involved with the position.
When Evangelos Marinakis purchased the team in 2017, Randall was named. After Cartledge took his place on the board of directors in August 2023, he stayed on it. There will be a seamless transition.
Cartledge will continue to serve on the club’s board, much as Randall did when he passed over the chairmanship. Cartledge’s continuous involvement at the club is probably going to be important, especially since owner Marinakis has revealed his lofty goals for the City Ground.
“Over the last year and a half we have taken significant steps in securing the club’s future at an expanded City Ground and I will now continue to advise the owners on the real estate strategy whilst spending more time working in my family business,” Cartledge said in remarks to the club upon the announcement of the change. The club is in excellent hands under Mr. Marinakis to carry on our road back to the pinnacle of English football, and I look forward to doing everything in my power to make this happen.
The City Ground will no doubt be one of the topics at the top of Randall’s agenda. Ultimately, considering the intensity of the desire to remain at Forest’s home, this aligns with the goal of making sure “fans are centric” to all that occurs at the club.
Supporters were highly vocal when a possible relocation was discussed earlier this year. Since then, it has been established that Nottingham City Council has granted the Reds the ownership of the site the stadium is built on, subject to a confirmed agreement in principle. Additionally