Nottingham Forest fans are buzzing with excitement about the future after it was announced that the club had been granted conditional Category 1 status for their youth academy for the 2021-22 season.
The Reds submitted an application for Category 1 status last year when Gary Brazil signed a new long-term contract with the club and took on the role of director of football development.
Category 1 is the highest classification for academies in England, meaning Forest join the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool in that bracket.
Chairman Nicholas Randall hailed the news as an “important milestone”, as well as being testament to the support of owner Evangelos Marinakis.
“This is a very important development for the long-term future of the club,” he told the club website.
“The academy is fundamental to the footballing strategy of the club and is a priority for the board.
“To see the likes of Joe Worrall, Ryan Yates and Alex Mighten playing regularly in the first team demonstrates the success of our Academy. Category 1 status is the next step in developing more elite footballers.
“The club is extremely grateful to Mr Marinakis for his continued financial investments in the infrastructure of the club. It is the owner’s personal commitment to such strategic initiatives that has made this possible.
“This milestone is also a testament to the tireless work of Gary Brazil and the outstanding efforts of Chris McGuane, Andy Reid and many others.”
Brazil added: “I am thrilled that we have achieved Category 1 status for next season.
“The current and future investments in facilities by Mr Marinakis will take us to another level. It is a fantastic opportunity for the club and it will be really exciting for the staff and players to challenge themselves at the elite end of academy football.
“The benefits include playing better quality teams in the games programme and access to youth grant funding.
“It will also help us to keep providing elite talent for our first team and ensure we provide opportunities for players in and around Nottinghamshire to become professional footballers."
Under-23s head coach Andy Reid tweeted: “This is huge for us, so many people people have worked so hard for this! The hard work continues. So proud to be part of this amazing Academy!”
Forest supporters also took to social media to give their reaction.
"This is absolutely MASSIVE news for the club," said one on Twitter. "I can’t stress enough what this will bring for #NFFC. Huge news, and a massive well done to all involved. From the owners, all the way down."
Another tweeted: "Great news this is. One of the best academies in Europe now mixing with the best in Europe. A massive step for the club. Let the good times roll!"
A third posted: "This is really good for us as we will be able to attract more talent to the club with us now being able to compete at the top level of academy football. Fantastic news all round for us."
A fourth fan added: "Oh this is brilliant, so, so important. Possibly one of the best things that could happen this summer. Huge credit to all involved."
And a fifth supporter said: "Fantastic news. Infrastructure investment that moves the whole club forward is where an owner can make transformational change. Huge challenge now for the staff to grow into this new level of competition, which I'm sure they will rise to. A great start to the summer."
