'Proposals to up sticks have not been popular'

The message was loud and clear on Saturday - "Stand up for the City Ground."

Players come and go, owners come and go, even the Premier League comes and goes. But one thing remains constant - the fans.

Proposals to up sticks and build a new stadium in Toton, nine miles away from Nottingham Forest's home of 126 years, have not been popular with the City Ground faithful.

Plans to rebuild the Peter Taylor Stand, and increase capacity to almost 40,000, have stalled in recent years for numerous reasons. Undoubtedly, the Reds want a stadium fit for the 21st century, and with Premier League survival almost assured for another season, that imperative increases by the day.

While the prospect of a new build close to the city might be countenanced by some - we have been here before with Gamston, Clifton and Eastcroft - a move so far away makes no sense whatsoever.

Evidently fans have an emotional attachment to a ground that has an atmosphere that can be hard to beat, as well as a history and heritage few can match. But the money that a Premier League stadium brings to the city is as important, as well as the whole match day experience for home and away visitors.

The City Council surely have no desire to see the club leave, so we can only hope - perhaps assume - that negotiations will resume imminently and posturing on both sides will cease.

When Mull of Kintyre rings out before kick off, one line is very clear - "My desire is always to be here."

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club