As Nottingham Forest near the end of a season to remember — with its final destination yet to be decided — AG Burrows reflects on Evangelos Marinakis, the owner who has brought us to the brink of the Champions League and whose ambition is unlikely to end there
Evangelos Marinakis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sometimes the planets align. The Gods look down favourably. Mast years happen. All leading to times of plenty.
But maybe we shouldn’t just count our lucky stars, singing que sera sera. Take a moment to consider things, and not just accept with open arms what is happening to our glorious football club. What it all might mean. Where it may lead us. Most of all, why it is happening.
But, before we look ahead, perhaps we should first reflect on the past. Remember where this club was, both financially and emotionally, before our owners arrived. How utterly bleak our situation seemed under the previous incumbent: a rudderless ship drifting whereever the tides took it.
It certainly isn’t luck that Evangelos Marinakis chose us. His education here coincided with some of our club’s finest seasons throughout the 1980s. He witnessed them. And both of our owners are far too astute to invest unwisely; they would have evaluated and found worth and potential. It isn’t our imagination that both are now just as emotionally invested as financially. It is there, for all to see. And love can make the sanest of men appear irrational.
“We are on a path to re-establish Forest as a dominant force in English football”.
Mr Marinakis often appears a man in a hurry. It’s probably true, although it could well be born of a frustration that those around the club cannot comprehend his ambition – that they are too accepting of situations and results. He will understand process, but he will not accept obfuscation when progress is needed. He certainly understands that nothing can be built on sand. That, for our club to rise, the right foundations must be laid: staff, training ground, stadium, relationships, togetherness. That this will, and does, take time. However, he will reason, why delay?
These things cannot appear overnight. But they are essential. Just the building of a successful squad is incremental. It requires a constant churn of players. The aim of these combined processes is the creation of a football club that is competitive and sustainable. One that, in spite of all the changes needed, maintains that all important emotional connection with its support (moments that our owner revels in). Through collaboration. But, even more so, through not forgetting where we have come from.
Ours is a genuine football club. Manchester City was one too, not so long ago. To avoid what some might call ‘Citeh syndrome’ we must never forget our past. For ours is a club of greatness and tragedy. To have given us the great eras of Walker, Carey, Clough and Clark is one thing. But to counterbalance them with seasons highlighted by defining, gut-wrenching defeats to the Blades, Yeovil, Blackpool and Manchester United surely helps us in this. Both my head and heart are filled with these moments. They are scars to be carried. To always show humility will garner respect. To remain humble will keep us grounded.
Another seed that needs to be set is one of mentality. To not accept anything but the best. To become winners. We are blessed with an ownership that is financially committed. What is even more precious is its uniqueness. We should cherish it, use it to spur us on as supporters. Realise just how lucky we are. This is no fabricated act. This is pure passion built around a simple love for the game. And when injustice is perceived, it boils over. This is what winners look like.
We don’t need the touchline clowning of Klopp, Guardiola or any other pound shop mimic. We have the Big Man. And, whether it’s the top six, the media, the FA, the PGMOL or whoever, he has them rattled. Why? Because he is hugely successful. He demands to be listened to. As Forest All Over’s Mat stated, back in episode 139 (“we are a beast that has been awakened”), it is probably because they fear what he will achieve at this football club. And we must always consider that those who attack both club and owner have skin in the game.
Mr Marinakis’s genius is that he could see our potential. He understands our ‘USP’. He feels our passion too and wants to feed it, because he also delights in footballing glory. Both he and Mr Kominakis seem determined to do whatever it takes to succeed in building something that will not only last but grow.
What is this Midas touch that Marinakis possesses? What is his secret? It isn’t rocket science. It’s hard work. It’s bringing together teams that, at every level in the organisation, can work together successfully. It’s surrounding himself with those he trusts and providing the tools that they need. It’s realising quickly when something isn’t working. And, when it is, demanding how it can be bettered. It is about always wanting to improve, never resting. Realising a vision. It is about winning.
Imagine what this would, no will, mean to our football club? These coming successes. Leagues climbed. Cup runs turning into semi-finals… Returning to ‘where we belong’. To remain there. Trophies. How it would alter our outlook, not only as supporters of a football club, but as citizens of this county. It would be remarkable, regenerating, game changing. All because of one man and his unquenchable ambition.
I found a book in a café in Gairloch: The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. It’s a short story that, over the years, has left its mark on many. Of one person that achieved so much. Through passion and dedication. Singlemindedness. Many years of hard work. And a belief in a long-term vision. It turns out I didn’t have to travel to the wilds of Scotland to find such an inspiring story. There was one, right here all along. In my own back yard.
This piece is taken from the end of season double issue of Oh Mist Rolling In fanzine, which will be on sale before Sunday’s game against Chelsea
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