Nationwide League: Forest tale 'a warning'
Garry Birtles believes his former club Nottingham Forest’s current financial plight will warn others of risking everything for the riches of the Premiership.
Birtles - an integral member of Brian Clough’s Forest side of the late 1970s and 1980s when the club were champions of England, went 42 league games unbeaten and won two European Cups - says the midlanders are now an example to all.
Just six years after their last UEFA Cup campaign, in fact, Forest are having to recoup as much revenue as possible to heal their financial wounds.
Over-spending in pursuit of a return to the top flight following relegation from the Premiership at the end of the 1998-99 season is having its knock-on effect, with players being released to ease the wage bill while manager Paul Hart this week lost teenage star Jermaine Jenas to Newcastle for £5m (€8.1m).
‘‘Anybody who played in those great days feels very much for the football club and especially (manager) Paul Hart, who is having to work under some shocking circumstances,’’ said Birtles.
