Tom Cartledge admits, with a chuckle, that he watched his first Nottingham Forest game after being smuggled into the City Ground under his father’s long coat.
It is a reflection of the role he has taken on that he is quick to point out he could not possibly approve of such behaviour now.
Four decades on from that moment when he fell in love with the club — and after the highs of watching FA Cup finals and lows of seeing Forest languish in English football’s third tier — Cartledge has been appointed as their chairman, replacing Nicholas Randall.
Having watched hundreds of home matches from almost every area of the stadium, he will now do so from a prime position in the directors’ box.
“The first time I went to a game was in 1983 — and this would not be allowed now, to be really clear — I managed to sneak under my dad’s coat and we went in the Executive Upper, as it was in those days,” says Cartledge (on the right in our top image).
“In the 40 years since, I have moved from being with the Junior Reds, the Bridgford Upper, the old Trent End, the New Trent End, the Peter Taylor Stand and now, somehow, I find myself sitting in the middle of the stand in an amazing position.
“My parents are season-ticket holders, my uncle is, my cousins are, my wife and my kids…
