🚨BREAKING NEWS :Evangelos Marinakis outlines City Ground vision with new Nottingham Forest stadium update

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has outlined his long-term vision to increase the City Ground’s capacity to 50,000.

   When the Reds first announced plans to renovate their stadium in 2019, they increased the seating capacity to 38,000.  Earlier this week, chairman Tom Cartledge announced that the proposed renovation would increase capacity to 42,000.

   Marinakis said he wants to go further than that.    And it’s a strong indication that he sees Forest’s future in staying on the banks of the Trento, having previously discussed the possibility of building a new ground elsewhere.

   “We have done a lot for the region over the years.    I think we need to have a bigger arena now, says Marinakis to the BBC.

   “The first priority is to do it on city ground.    That’s where the team belongs and that’s where the tradition is.

   “That’s what we want to do. That’s why I’ve already spent a lot of money on the City Ground; you can see it’s a lot different.

   “We have a lot of fans and a huge waiting list for season tickets. I’m sure the 50,000-seat stadium will be packed to see our team and our passion.

   “It’s very important. It’s very important for the team and it’s most important for the city of Nottingham. It’s something I want to complete and have one of the best stadiums in England for years to come. That’s my main goal now.”

   Earlier this year, there was a question as to whether the Reds would stay at the City Ground.    Due to a dispute with Nottingham City Council, which owns the land, over rent and a new lease, Marinakis and Cartledge have publicly discussed the possibility of moving.

   In July, however, the senior council agreed to sell the franchise to the club.    At the first advisory council meeting of the season earlier this month, Cartledge confirmed an agreement in principle was in place.