Criticism could cause chairman Doughty to consider his future backing of Forest, fans are warned
NIGEL Doughty could consider his future financial backing of Nottingham Forest if he continues to receive abuse.
Chief executive Mark Arthur today admitted the club were 'disappointed' not to have made summer signings.
-
Forest chairman Nigel Doughty
But he also revealed that the subsequent wave of criticism from supporters could cause the chairman to question whether to sustain his investment – which will be £13.4m this year alone.
"Nigel has put in an average of £5m into the club every year, over the past ten years or so," said Arthur. "Having got Billy Davies as manager, last year his commitment was £13.4m.
"That is double the amount of money we bring in from season ticket revenue and match-day ticket revenue.
"For every pound supporters are putting in through the turnstiles, Nigel is putting in two. Whether he sustains it at that level in the future will be a question for him at the end of the season.
"It is not very pleasant for him when he is putting in that level of money and still getting the level of abuse that he has recently received. It must make you think about things."
Arthur says speculation about an impending takeover is wrong.
And he admits the failure to land either of their primary targets, Swansea's Darren Pratley or Cardiff winger Peter Whittingham, was a blow.
"Nigel is still very committed and wants to see the club succeed," said Arthur.
"We targeted, at the end of a very successful season, two players we wanted to improve our squad.
"We pursued them vigorously but, unfortunately, their clubs decided to stick with them. It has been a major disappointment.
"But a similar thing has happened in reverse here. We turned down offers in excess of £1m for both Kelvin Wilson and Nathan Tyson.
"It is almost exactly the same squad that finished third last year. We still have the possibility of loan signings and of doing something in January. The budget is still there.
"Forest fans can be optimistic about the season ahead."
Arthur also defended the club's much-maligned acquisitions committee.
"It is just a process," he said. "The scouting network will recommend players to our chief scout Keith Burt.
"He will then recommend players to the manager and Billy will give his recommendations to the board.
"Then the board ask David Pleat for his input with regards to the ability of the player, the possible asset value, the type of transfer fee that the player might command and the expected salary and whether that fits into our current structure.
"A figure is agreed between the chairman and myself with regard to how far we are prepared to go (financially) in pursuit of that player.
"The process is similar to the operation at every other club.
"But ours is perhaps a little more formal because of the lessons we learned when we brought in the likes of Adam Nowland and David Friio and found that we had made huge, costly mistakes."
194 Comments
View all
by melgarion, London, Ont, Canada
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:29AM
“Look, let's face facts. None of us are happy with the present situation, least of all Nigel Doughty. And let's get one thing straight once and for all - NFFC is not currently worth anywhere close to 60 million quid. The only way the club could aspire to such a number is if it were to achieve promotion to the premiership. Mr Doughty knows this. While yes, he has made some poor decisions and yes, he is receiving poor counsel from Arthur and Pleat and yes, he has hung Billy Davies out to dry in two consecutive transfer windows on the strength of that poor counsel, none of us can possibly believe that he has done anything without the best interests of the club in mind. It must be killing him to be lambasted the way he is right now. I know it would be killing me. At heart we all know this. In truth he is now trapped because unless we get back into the premiership Nigel Doughty cannot hope to recover the money he has invested into the club. So in the long run he has no real choice. Unless he plans to cut his losses and get out ASAP, he HAS to do what is necessary to move the club forward, or continue to throw good money after bad, year upon year. I for one don't think he's that stupid. What he is is loyal - to Arthur and Pleat - and I think therein lies the problem. RedFred from Toton's mystifying hatred of Billy Davies notwithstanding, Billy is the right man to take us forward and he will get the job done, given the Chaiman's support. I think it's time for Mr Doughty to reassess his loyalties, not the level of his investment.”
by Nick, Dartmouth Mass. USA
Thursday, September 09 2010, 4:35AM
“Personally I've never had a problem with Mr Doughty, anyone is prepared to bank roll a 'loss leader' like Forest deserves some respect.
It is Arthurs who should be kicked out, the man is a supersilious baffoon who thinks he is powerful because he controls he purse strings yet has no clue about football.
Equally however I do believe that communication between club and fans has always been poor at Forest, it has always operated a very clandestine policy since it was run by a committee.
This needs to improve most of all. It is the lack of information which breeds speculation which leads to 'knee-jerk' hysteria we are experiencing now. I'm in no way defending the board, as they have made many howlers over many years, but small changes can make all the difference, be a bit more open and get Arthurs out, he is the one at which you should all direct your ire!”
by Nick Adams, Dartmouth Mass. USA
Thursday, September 09 2010, 4:26AM
“I have to say I've never had a problem with Mr Doughty, anyone who is prepared to bankroll a 'loss leader' like Forest deserves some respect.
It's the supersilious baffoon Arthurs who really p's me off, this is the idiot with his hands on the purse strings and no idea about the game of football.
This is the man to which you should be venting your ire!”
by TilehurstTricky, 20 years of hurt.
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:54PM
“Everyone keeps shouting about ND and 11 wasted years. In fact it's 20 years and counting since we won a major trophy.
Nigel Doughty's a football genius!”
by Worriedred, Nottm
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:51PM
“Doughtyout - completely agree, you can't argue with facts! Things have to change and whilst my feeling is the core of the problem is Doughty because the book stops with him, I might be missing that it could actually be Arthur or is it just both!? Either way off the field we are a complete mess!”