Industry Expert drops concerns about Nottingham Forest's long-term plans amid stadium latest

Nottingham Forest could face concerns about filling a new stadium after opting to freeze season ticket prices.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after fans raised concerns over increasing matchday prices.

The club were forced to reduce ticket prices for their Europa League match against Midtjylland in order to entice fans to come to the game.

The City Ground currently holds just over 30,000 spectators, and work could commence in the summer to begin increasing the stadium’s capacity.

Nottingham Forest want to increase revenue by renovating the City Ground to become a 52,000-capacity venue in the near future.

Nottingham Forest face ‘very difficult’ ticketing problem

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks Nottingham Forest’s catchment area can prove a problem when results on the pitch aren’t going well.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that the fans are starting to make their feelings known about the increase in prices.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, you’re right. This has got a long-term thought process there. 

“You’re right about the new stadium and the big development. Let’s face it, I mean, Nottingham has got a finite catchment amount really in terms of its geography and population. And when things are going well, no problem.

“I think you can see that you could fill that catchment. But certainly when things take a turn, then you’re relying on a lot of what I would call marginal fans. And that’s difficult. And we’ve seen that, you know, there’s also been a bit of a protest about the Midtjylland game, obviously about how things are going in general at the club.

“And the fans are making their feelings felt. And I don’t think it was just one drop in price. I think they had to do it twice to get the prices right, to get some sort of crowd in there. So it’s very difficult.” 

Nottingham Forest make James McAtee exit decision

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that James McAtee could be allowed to leave Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window.

McAtee has not been favoured under any of Nottingham Forest’s four managers this season, making just one Premier League start across the entire campaign.

The 23-year-old joined for £25million last summer, but the Tricky Trees may need to accept a loss on any deal they agree.

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