Kenny Burns: Forest have lost 'a great man' in Nigel Doughty
NIGEL Doughty's loyalty and commitment to Nottingham Forest, which helped save the club from administration, must never be forgotten.
That was the message from shocked Reds legend Kenny Burns, following the club owner's sudden death, at the age of 54, on Saturday.
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Loyal supporter: Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty
Doughty has pumped more than £75m of his own fortune into the club. Even after stepping down as chairman last year, he still promised to honour all present player contracts up until 2014.
And while Burns said the club has a lot to thank Doughty for, he said he could not stop thinking of the family he has left behind.
Burns said: "I am flabbergasted by the news. I'm still in shock.
"I have said this for a long, long time and I will say it again now: What Nigel has done for Forest is staggering.
"He has put more than £75m of his own cash into the club, saving it from administration at the beginning. What the man has done for Forest should not be forgotten.
"Let us all pay respect to the man, a great man, a Forest man. He was a supporter, his family are massive fans and he put a lot of his personal fortune into helping the club. He never had to do that.
"Yes, he has made some wrong decisions, hasn't everybody? But you can never question his love, loyalty and commitment to the club. He is the best chairman we have had at the club for many, many years.
"Personally, I really liked the man. I thought he was an honest, nice man and very pleasant company. He was very approachable, always accommodating.
"He will be a sad miss and for his family, this is horrific news.
"The club will always be there but for his family, my thoughts are with them."
Burns, a double European Cup winner with the Reds in 1979 and 1980, was at home when he heard the news on Saturday afternoon.
"I received a text from a friend of mine, then another text," said Burns. "Then I saw it come up on the television.
"I just could not believe what I was seeing. It is just terrible for his family, that was my first thought.
"He has young children, a wife and Nigel and his dad were like best friends as he was often at games. It is a very close family all round.
"I am feeling for them all. Nigel and his family are all massive supporters of Nottingham Forest and all my thoughts go out to them."
Burns said Doughty was a massive supporter of the club's Academy, having recently paid to build a new state-of-the-art headquarters at Wilford Lane.
He added: "What has happened in the last six or seven months had hurt Nigel but he has left a lasting legacy.
"He was very big on the academy, a huge supporter of it.
"He has helped it grow and put a lot of money into it.
"As for yesterday's game with Derby being off, it doesn't really matter. What matters is Nigel's family.
"The bottom line is we have lost a true Forest supporter, a true gentleman and a true family man.
" It is all so, so sad."
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8 Comments
by TrentEndRed
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:54PM
“That's the first time I've seen that photo. I think it sums up perfectly what the club meant to him.
I hope his family are somewhat comforted by the number of people paying tribute to him. They should be immensley proud of him.
I certainly think The Nigel Doughty Academy has a nice ring to it.”
by tfaulkner
Monday, February 06 2012, 4:48PM
“I believe every Forest fan wanted Nigel Doughty to stay involved with Forest and find a way back from the situation we are now in or find someone who might be willing to buy the club and take us forward by developing the City Ground or a new stadium and delivering Premiership football again. It is sad that this cannot now happen with Doughty still around to witness it.”
by martynofderby
Monday, February 06 2012, 4:41PM
“as a mark of respect can forest at least try and score a goal on saturday?”
by richardw11
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:29PM
“SuperRedTed - Wasn't going to go Saturday, but now I will as a mark of respect, and yes the flag should be lowered at half-mast. I'd go further - there's talk of renaming the Acadamy in his honour - and rightly so - but I would also rename 'The main Stand' as the Nigel Doughty Stand. It's all too easy to somehow condemn the man for certain decisions made, but what many fans don't appreciate or simply refuse to acknowledge is that without his support we might not have a football club to support. It's clear he has kep this football club going for the past 13 years !! And it's worth rmembering that the £75m hasn't been frittered away on gold-plated toilet seats for the Directors or - some other folly like £100k on a tropical fish tank like the old Leeds Chairman did (FACT) - NO, the money (HIS money) had been spent on transfer fees, agent's fees and huge wages on players - half of whom have not been worth it. Nigel Doughty is/was a legend - and boy will we now miss him. I just hope that there isn;t another cruel twist of fate awaiting us; Our other saviour, Brian Clough died in the season that we were relegated to Div 3 - I hope and prey that lightening doesn't strike twice.”
by CiderheadNott
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:17PM
“I am a Bristol City fan who is strongly compelled to say how sad it is that Nigel Doughty has died so suddenly. He died too young.
He did a tremendous amount for Nottingham Forest FC and for football in general, and, more importantly, was involved with trying to improve the lives of those less fortunate than himself.
My deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones at this sad time.
Rest in peace Nigel.
Bob”
by hickyabp
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:16PM
“Found this this it would b good for people to sign
http://tinyurl.com/882763a”
by SuperRedTed
Monday, February 06 2012, 12:10PM
“What more can you say. Well said Kenny.
Just a small point can Forest at least lower the Forest Flag to half mast ion respect of the man”
by Henrik1968
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:04AM
“Well said, Burns.”