Nottingham Forest FC have reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest Ladies that will create a close working relationship between the two organisations and, where possible, to act as one club.
The club’s website reports that Forest will make a financial commitment to NFLFC to help support them in their on and off-pitch development, as well as continued commitment to the growth of the female game throughout the city of Nottingham.
Moving forwards, Forest Ladies’ players will become fully integrated into club initiatives as well as club marketing campaigns. Player profiles as well as fixtures and results will feature on the club website and player-related merchandise will be available in the club megastore. The club will also be working to help grow interest and attendances at Forest Ladies matches.
To celebrate the announcement, representatives from both club’s attended a coaching event for more than 300 girls from the Nottingham area. Run by Forest Ladies head coach, Graham Abercrombie, the event will saw girls from 30 schools across Nottingham come together for a special coaching session.
Steve Wright, Nottingham Forest Ladies Treasurer, said:
“Nottingham Forest Ladies have been part of the Forest family for nearly 30 years and it is fantastic that this has formal co-operation has been reached. The support that Nottingham Forest are providing is both practical, in terms of finances and infrastructure, and emotional, in acknowledging the part that the women’s team plays for the Nottingham Forest name. It feels like Nottingham Forest Ladies have found that loving feeling and we are very excited about this new era.”
David Cook, Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“This is a landmark day for the football club, we are all absolutely delighted to have reached an agreement with Forest Ladies to create a close and formal co-operation.
“The growth of the female game in this country – in terms of participation, support and commitment from major clubs – has been rapid in recent years and we believe Nottingham is a city primed for elite level women’s football. We are committed to helping Nottingham Forest Ladies develop and, most importantly, ensuring that boys and girls across the city have role models to aspire to.”
