Chairman Nicholas Randall QC has written a heartfelt letter to Nottingham Forest’s rising stars, as a return for academy football remains on hold.
The Reds have a proud tradition of bringing through young talent, with the likes of Joe Worrall, Matty Cash and Ryan Yates now established members of the first-team.
Others, such as Brennan Johnson, Alex Mighten, Marcus McGuane and Yassine En-Neyah, are currently working with Sabri Lamouchi’s squad amid the Championship’s restart - Johnson being handed his first league start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.
However, with the Under-23s’ and Under-18s’ seasons being curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the remaining academy players have yet to return to training.
They remain in close contact with staff, though, and Randall has sent out a letter to ensure they still feel part of the club - letting the youngsters know, “you are within our thoughts”.
He wrote: “I wanted to take this opportunity to write to you on behalf of the club and to send you our best wishes and thoughts at this difficult and challenging time.
“The coronavirus has caused much suffering in our society and, of course, what I say below is not intended to diminish the tragedies that have been experienced by many or to suggest any equivalence between the interruption in our activities with the loss of a loved one.
“However, I also know that the virus must have caused substantial disruption and upset in your life also.
“I can only begin to imagine the frustration that you must feel at the interruption to your passion of playing and participating in the game of football, whether as a player or a coach or in some other valuable support role. As a player, in particular, you have had to endure an inability to develop your conspicuous natural talent for the game. This is undoubtedly a great setback.
“In response I would like to pass on a number of thoughts. First of all, I want to let you know that everyone at the club feels tremendous pride in you and your friends and colleagues at the academy.
“Your efforts and achievements are truly outstanding.
“The record of the academy in producing players for our first team is something of which we can all feel very proud.
“As repeated managers have testified over many years the players which emerge from the academy are not only outstanding athletes and competitors but are also outstanding individuals.
“For a player to succeed they need to have the right character and attitude. Our academy helps our players to develop just such a character and attitude.
“Secondly, insofar as we can be, we are sure that the break is only temporary. As you are no doubt aware we are taking the first tentative steps towards the return of football for our first team.
“We have to tread cautiously and every step must be grounded in ensuring the health and safety of our players and staff. The initial signs are promising.
“If we can achieve this we have the chance of developing a new normal for our society which includes regular competitive football. This can only be a good thing.”
Lamouchi’s side played their first game since March at the weekend, when they made the trip to Hillsborough.
A number of measures have been put in place - both in training and on matchdays - to make the environment as safe as possible.
That includes fixtures taking place behind closed doors for the remainder of the campaign.
Randall says he hopes supporters will soon be allowed back into grounds, and, in turn, that the club’s youngsters will return to the Nigel Doughty Academy in the near future.
He said in his letter: “I would like to stress to you that once we have achieved the goal of securing regular football for our first team we will do all that we can to see a safe return to normality for the rest of our club.
“This includes not only the return of supporters as quickly as possible, as they are the lifeblood of our game, but also a return to play for our academy, whether this is in the form of competitive matches or, at least, the opportunity to develop your potential as a player in a formal, supportive and structured setting.
“When we have developments in these areas we will let you know as soon as we can.
“So, finally, I wanted to let you all know that you are within our thoughts.
“As soon as it is safe to do so we will ensure that you have the chance to return to the sporting activities that we know you all love.
“In the meantime please stay safe.
“Look after yourselves in mind, body and spirit. Use this time to maintain your fitness and to develop your knowledge of the game and life in general.
“And remember that all things must pass and before too long I am sure that you will all return stronger for the experience.”
