New Season,
New Belief

As another Premier League season gets underway, there is a renewed sense of optimism around Nottingham Forest. The summer has brought significant change, plenty of discussion and, perhaps most importantly, a feeling that Forest can look forward rather than back.

It also brought heart-wrenching goodbyes. But more on that below.

For supporters, the hope is that this season can be different.

New Season, New Belief

Appointing a manager of Glasner's calibre is a statement of intent, the clearest signpost yet that the club's ambition is to become a Premier League force, and not just make up the numbers.

Given Glasner's CV, it is also a strong signal that bringing trophies back to NG2 is the expectation of the ownership going forward.

Huge progress has been made in recent years, but we came perilously close to undoing it last season. This moment is a golden opportunity to turn progress into sustained success, and is very welcome after the roller coaster of last season.

Of course, ambition needs to be matched by action not just on, but off the pitch too.

As the season begins, the Supporters' Trust will continue to hold the club to account, be an authoritative voice for fans and your concerns, whilst also working constructively with the club itself to achieve what we all desire: a club that thrives on and off the pitch.

And the Trust is already seeing this work make a real difference for Forest fans.

Ticketing

The club's decision to freeze matchday ticket prices for the new season, following the earlier decision to freeze season ticket prices, is something the Trust welcomes and reflects the sentiment expressed in the Trust survey, which was completed by thousands of you.

With the cost of attending football continuing to be a significant barrier for many families and supporters, maintaining prices at their current level is a crucial step in ensuring that Forest remains for everyone.

The welcomed changes to the away membership scheme are another positive development. Away travel and attendance can be a significant commitment for supporters, and we hope the changes will make it easier and fairer for more fans to follow Forest on the road.

These decisions are a timely reminder that when we work together as supporters and engage constructively with the club, we can achieve meaningful change on the issues that matter most to us as fans.

The Trust will continue to lead and be your voice on affordability.

The City Ground

One of the biggest issues for the future of the club remains the redevelopment of the City Ground.

The Supporters' Trust has been clear that we want Forest to remain at the City Ground and see the redevelopment delivered.

There has been significant progress over the summer, and the proposed redevelopment represents an enormous opportunity for Nottingham Forest and the wider community.

As the club begins its consultation processes on areas that affect supporters, the Trust will be actively engaging with members and fans to ensure their views are properly represented and fed into discussions.

It is vital that supporters remain at the heart of these conversations, and we will continue to provide proper opportunities for fans to have their say.

As part of that commitment, we launched an initiative encouraging supporters to send messages of support to Rushcliffe Borough Council ahead of the planning process. Over 1,200 emails have been sent to RBC so far, demonstrating the strength of feeling behind the proposals.

That support will be hugely beneficial ahead of the planning meeting expected in early September.

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved. It is another example of what can be achieved when supporters come together behind something that matters to the future of our football club.

The Trust will issue further updates on our work on the redevelopment in the coming weeks.

The Importance Of The Supporters' Trust

We are entering a time of seismic change and generation-defining decisions are facing the club. So the role of the Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust has never been more fundamental.

The Trust exists as the only democratic voice of Nottingham Forest supporters.

We ensure that fans have a structured, representative and independent platform through which their views can be heard.

Whether it is ticket pricing, stadium development, matchday experience or wider club matters, the Trust provides a collective voice that can engage directly with the club and other stakeholders. By joining the Trust, you strengthen that voice.

The bottom line is this: the more of us there are, the more we will be heard. Membership helps ensure that fan perspectives are not only heard, but carry weight in discussions that shape your lived experience as a Forest fan, and ultimately the future of Nottingham Forest.

There is also one piece of summer news that deserves a more personal reflection.

Taiwo Awoniyi has departed Nottingham Forest, bringing to an end his time at the City Ground. Big T left his mark as both a player and a person, and his importance to Forest should never be underestimated.

When he arrived in the summer of 2022, he became the club's record signing and was brought in to lead the line following promotion back to the Premier League. His goals, physicality and determination were pivotal in helping Forest survive and establish themselves at the highest level.

And for many supporters, one moment will always stand out.

THAT goal against Arsenal in May 2023.

With Forest needing victory to secure Premier League survival, Taiwo's finish gave the City Ground one of those unforgettable nights. The scenes that followed, the noise, the relief and the emotion, captured everything that makes supporting Nottingham Forest so special.

That goal will live long in the memories of Forest supporters.

Another classic Taiwo goal was his winner in the same season against Liverpool, a goal that brought an extra-wide smile to the faces of Forest fans that are a bit longer in the tooth.

Taiwo has been through some incredibly difficult moments during his time at the club, but he has always remained positive, professional and popular amongst players and supporters. His journey at Forest has been about much more than goals and appearances, and we should remember the contribution he made off the pitch too during a hugely important period in the club's history.

On behalf of the Supporters' Trust, we wish Taiwo and his family every success for the future and thank him for the memories.

For any Sky Blues reading this, take good care of him!

A Bright, Red Future

As we reflect on what's ahead, there is plenty to be excited about.

A new manager. A renewed sense of ambition. The prospect of a transformed City Ground. Positive steps on affordability and away support. And, most importantly, another season of Nottingham Forest.

Believe. Come on, you Reds.