Premier League club ABANDON plans to ditch iconic stadium for new 50,000-seat arena after feud with council

NOTTINGHAM FOREST will not be leaving the City Ground – their home for the last 125 years.

A long-running feud between Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and Nottingham City Council – who own the land – over rent and leasing has finally been resolved.

AFP

Nottingham Forest are staying at the City Ground after resolving their feud with the local council[/caption]

It means Forest will scrap their threat to build a new stadium at Toton, several miles from Nottingham city centre, which was proving overwhelmingly unpopular with fans.

Forest fell out with their City Council landlords while trying to negotiate a new 250-year-lease for their famous ground, after the Council tried to hike the rent from £250,000 to £1million.

The club dug in its heels but the saga now looks to be over with an agreement in principle which will allow Forest to push on with plans to redevelop and expand the City Ground.

A statement from councillor Neghat Khan, leader of Nottingham City Council, on X said: “I am proud to announce that talks with Nottingham Forest have resulted in principle terms being agreed for the club to buy the land on which the City Ground sits.

“I promised decisive action to secure the future of the world-famous City Ground, which has been home to Nottingham Forest for over 125 years, and that is what we have delivered.

“Football is staying home, here in Nottingham, and the mist will keep rolling in off the Trent for years to come.”

Forest will be hoping the news bodes well for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

They only secured their top-flight status on the final day with a 2-1 win over already-relegated Burnley.

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Forest’s dismal season saw them swap Steve Cooper for Nuno Espirito Santo.

They were then docked four points for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

But Forest have already been busy in the transfer window, signing Elliot Anderson from Newcastle in a mega £35million deal.

Goalie Odysseas Vlachodimos went in the opposite direction in a separate transaction.

And SunSport understands there could be more deals to come.

Santo fancies West Ham striker Michail Antonio to lead his line next season.

And he could also swoop for John Egan after the defender’s Sheffield United deal expired.