A player who currently plays in the Highland League in Scotland has revealed how he nearly signed for Nottingham Forest.
Cammy Keith, who currently plays for Keith FC in the fifth tier of Scottish football, says he had a trial with the Reds earlier in his career.
Colin Calderwood, who was Forest boss between 2006-2008, was in charge of the Reds at the time the 32-year-old striker had a trial.
Keith says he immediately noticed a difference between the Forest players, and those he was used to playing alongside in the Highland League in Scotland.
The striker also reveals what Calderwood told him after his trial, and the reason why a permanent move never materialised.
“Nottingham Forest invited myself and Jamie Lennox down for a week’s trial, which was an incredible experience and it was amazing to be invited down there to such a big club, who have won the European Cup twice,” Keith told Northern Goal.
He added: “Jamie and I trained, played in a couple of friendlies and held our own.
“But the biggest difference for me – and Jamie I’m sure would say the same – was the physicality.
“These guys, the same age as us, were used to working out in the gym and had physiques that would frighten you, while myself and Jamie hadn’t touched a weight in our lives.
“That was the biggest difference, because technically we didn’t feel inferior.
“It was Colin Calderwood who was manager at the time and he took us into a meeting at the end of the trial and basically said along the lines of ‘we need guys who’ll be pushing for the first team now’.
“But physicality wasn’t really ingrained into young Highland League players at that time.
“That was the main one, but myself and Jamie were both disappointed not to get an opportunity with Aberdeen at that time, both supporting the team and the fact we were in the headlines a lot.
“Nothing materialised with them or another full-time team.”
