Transcript of Billy Davies shares his story for the first time after leaving Nottingham Forest

You've got to love this game. I love coaching, I love managing, I love dealing with players, I love helping players get better, and I love teams to improve and win matches. I mean, this is a club that doesn't need to fear anybody. And I hope he's getting to Europe, and I hope it's a great end of the season for him.

Do you regret both spells, Billy, or do you look back at it as part and parcel of football in life?

What is it they regret? In my opinion, at the wrong place, wrong time, started to sing the great and famous It is what it is song. And they're going to see, Max, the Burnley situation and the Derby situation is probably the reason why I didn't go over and applaud the supporters because I think they picked the wrong place at the wrong time.

Billy, good to see you. It's been a while. A nice event in Nottingham coming up as well with former pros. It has been such a long time since you've been in football and also in terms of doing media and stuff now. Why is it the time to speak out and talk to us today and talk to many other media? Why now, Billy?

Well, I think the time's right, Max. First of all, I'm delighted to be sitting here talking to you. I'm looking forward to chatting to you about all things football. I'll just comes a point in time in your life where family are healthy, pandemics are over, qualifications have been looked after, universities have been visited, games all over the country have been watched, club visits have been done. It's time to go, time to go again. I'm looking forward to coming down to Nottingham in February to do the roadshow. That should be good fun. I'm now delighted to be sat and chatting to you guys about some wonderful memories. Absolutely.

And 2014, it's been a long time, Billy, since when you left Forest, which we'll, of course, get onto throughout. When that time goes so quickly throughout football, the game does change as well. I just wonder what you make of football now, given that it has been so long since you've been in it.

Well, football hasn't changed. People within football have changed. The game is still the same game. It's still all the same bits and pieces apply with regards to man management, motivation, tactics, the pitch, the ball. There's certain roles in regs that have changed. There's all these different formations that are getting looked at and spoken about. Of course, we've got VAR and all these other things. But now, I've got to tell you, Max, I've been looking We're doing a lot of games and there's nothing. There's no magic potion. Let me tell you, there's not any man, no matter how many people try and reinvent this industry, it's all about players, it's all about results, it's all about management and it's all about organization and discipline. That applied many, many years ago when Forrest were winning the European trophy, and it applies the same today.

Let's go back to the start, Billy. Of course, you great playing career before you went on to management as well. Stints at Preston, all the while, of course, winning promotion with Derby then Forest. Where did the love of football actually start, do you think, for you?

Well, a way back, probably I was six years of age, Max, for whatever reason, I had wonderful parents that every Christmas would buy me the ball and the boots and the strips. I remember my first strip away back then, I think it was maybe six or seven. It was actually a green and yellow Norwich City strip. That was my first one. I didn't support Norwich. It was just probably a color that my mother liked and she picked. I've got to say that that's when it started, Max, from there, six years of age. I then played in all the school as we do. I played in all the boys clubs as you do And then, of course, between the age of 12 and 15, I find myself traveling down to Manchester United with a very famous Chief Scout in Scotland. I eventually have a great relationship with the manager, Dave I then got offered a five-year contract. Unfortunately, a bit of homesick brought me back to Scotland, where I signed a five-year deal with Glasgow Rangers.

How did you get into management, Billy? Because it is such a difficult industry. Playing is hard enough, and then management, arguably, could even be harder. So many ex-pros try it and ultimately fail. It is a really tough gig, isn't it?

Well, I think how you get into it is, first of all, I said this just recently on a podcast about working football, for example. How do you work? What happens in football? What's my advice to people? My advice to people is simple. You have to love this game. You have to love coaching. You have to love going to the courses. You have to be a big student of this industry. And that takes me back to my mid-20s. When I was playing as a professional player, I used to go out two or three times a week, coaching all sorts of people, all sorts of ages, all sorts of levels, boys and girls, juniors, amateurs, you name it. I was out two or three times a week doing the coaching. I've done that for a number of years. And then I got myself involved as a player with the professional under-15s at mother-well, under-20s at mother-well. From there, I moved on and became the manager. Then, of course, the pathway that takes me through marks as I then become a caretaker manager, a first-team coach, an assistant manager, and then, of course, manager. The pathway that I've had has been a lot of experience, but the answer to your question is quite simple.

You've got to love this game. I love coaching, I love managing, I love dealing with players, I love helping players get better, and I love teams to improve and win matches.

Yeah, absolutely. Management for you started, Billy, with Motherwell, as you mentioned there, then a successful stint at Preston, of course, when your promotion at Derby, before the move to Forest. How did that move come about to Forest, Billy?

I've got to say that the first time, I remember getting a call from Nigel. I can't remember what month it was. Maybe January, I think. I can't remember. Nigel called me and he asked me whether to come and meet him in London. I met Nigel in his offices in London. From there, he asked me if I would come and join Forrester's manager with a great discussion. I've got to say, Max, I've always had a fantastic relationship with Nigel, and it's very sad what happened. But My relationship, even on the day that he called me, he told me that he was making a change. It always was a fantastic relationship. That call came up out of the blue, and I went down and spoke to him. Then eventually I agreed to join Forest, I think, 2009.

Was there any reservations given the Derby's still the rivalry?

No, I don't think so. I think Forest is a great club. I had my time at Derby County. I had done what I done at Derby County. This was an opportunity. I looked at this football club, I think it was in the bottom three of the 10th or bottom five, I can't remember. I just felt it was a great challenge. I knew by joining Forest, what would come in the afternoon. Obviously, 12, 14 miles away from Derby, the biggest rival, Derby and Forest. So I knew that the waters would not be smooth. I knew that there would be a lot of nonsense taking place once I joined for it. But I'm going to say, Max, I had no reservations at all. It was a great challenge. Nigel made it clear he wanted me to get this team out of this division being the Championship. It was a great challenge and I thought I'd enjoy my time.

Yeah, I can remember as well, really, first in a 15 game unbeat in rolling September. So Forest rapidly climbed to the playoff places, then eventually finishing that season in the playoff as well. Forest then faced Blackpool the first First time, first play-offs with Forest before Swancy, which we'll get onto. Of course, narrowly missing out that first leg. I remember it well. Blackstock hits the bar, two cleared off the line. There's world-class saves in there as well. Blackpool's first goal was arguably a little bit lucky with the deflection as well. When you just look back at that first leg in particular, and we'll talk about the second leg as well, it's so heartbreaking to lose the play-off, isn't it?

Like that as well. Well, it is, Max. I remember the first game at Blackpool. Again, you look at the Blackpool team, There's a reason why they went through the season and got to the play-off, Blackpool. Although they underplayed their hand a little bit by pretending to be this small club that was only... You look at the players that they had in their side, you look at the quality back to front, and we knew it was a tough game. We knew that Blackpool were a jinks to us all season. One in particular, we'd be going bathroom at the city ground and they win, win, nothing, but Charlie Adam going. But they've been a bit of a jinks to us all season. The first game was a very competitive We lost that match 2-1. As you said, there was a lot of good opportunities and their keeper played very well on the day. One particular, say, from Chris Cohen, Edge of the Box, which was a world-class, where he turned it around the post and they kept it at 2-1. But very competitive place to play, Blackpool. A very good site, Blackpool. In the end, as I said, no matter who you face in the playoff, the playoffs are always very tricky It's been very difficult.

Then the return home leg as well where Forest obviously crashed out. I can remember seeing an interview with Ian Hollowway after and he said he actually stood and he said, Never forget when he walked off with his players out, the city ground stayed and clapped them to congratulate Blackpool. I think that's them into the Forest fans as well. And also shows that, as you were just saying, the play-offs are so difficult. It was such a difficult game. I wonder what you just make of that second leg and obviously the heartbreak then as well.

Well, again, it was another very difficult. I'm talking about this leg in the play-offs. And again, anything can happen, anything's possible. There's a couple of very important incidents in that game, I think we can look back on and say maybe that may have changed the outcomes. But we go one nothing up. I I think at halftime. And then we come in the second half and there's a couple of things. There's a one-on-one. Dexter Blackstock is called offside. I'm going to be Robert Ernstoff, I can't quite remember. There's a potential penalty that we could have had with Robert Hurneshot, one, nothing. And then they go and they get this one or two breaks. They score a couple of great goals. They get a lucky break. I think it was Doby with a ricochet to make it two-to-two. And then they just go and hit us on the counter attack. And it was very disappointing. It was a real opportunity, but no disrespect. They played very well. But to play a Black Pro, they've got a counter attack, and it was very disappointing. It was a real opportunity, but no disrespect. They played very well. But to play a Black Pro, they've got Charlie Adam, they've got Dauby, they've got so many good players on their side.

It was great credit to Ian Haulewy and his Blackpill squad for what was a very good result. Don't forget, Max, I think before that game, we were 20 undefeated and we hadn't lost a goal in 12 plus hours, over 12 plus hours. So our record was phenomenal and we were very confident, not overly confident, you never can be, but we said we were very confident. It was just unfortunate how the second half went. Yeah.

And the play-off's Billy, you've been familiar with your whole career, obviously getting promoted with Derby. But then again with Forest against Swamsey, that was another really frustrating game, I think, particularly the second leg. How do you look back on that, on those moments?

Well, the first one, obviously, Swansea lost a man after 10 minutes when the fullback was sent off. We then spend the rest of the game probably having the big this bulk of possession and were fierce the attack. He got one or two chances, one or two breaks. But all in all, in the final third, we just couldn't finish things off and get that little break. It was disappointing. But having said that, it was all about the second leg, no matter what happened in the first. It always is about the second leg. We find myself going to Swandee, a very good Swandee team, a very good counter attack team, high possession team. Statistically, they have been fantastic at home all season. It's an outstanding encounter.

I recall as well, Billy. I can remember one Forest fan telling me that after that game, you stood by the city ground and waited for the supporters coaches to come off and thank the supporters for their support. That was right, wasn't it?

Yeah, what I've done is, obviously, we're given what all in that slunge second leg. We had the bath It would work three times. We were denied a Stonewall penalty. We were really full throttle against their back floor in the second half in particular. I think, Brandon Rodgers was quoted, actually, when Brandon said that that would have been an outstanding final, Swarton against Forrest, two great sides, two very attacking sides. I think that the spectacle in itself was talked about for being an outstanding spectacle. As, Brandon said to me in the touchline, he said to me, Billy, we're very fortunate. You are very unlucky. Your performance was excellent. It was an outstanding game that you probably should have won. And that was the case, Max. But what I then do is I jump in my car, and I've always had in my mind to drive back to the city ground and thank these supporters because the support all season for me in the club and the team has been outstanding. And I drive back to the city ground, behind one of the stands. I wait there to one or two in the morning. I can't quite remember, Max.

And I wait for all the supporters busses to come in where they're parked up. And I shake every one of their hands coming off the busses, just thanking them for what they've given us personally. Great to meet them. It was something that I felt was the right thing to do.

You then left that summer, Billy, night before to make the decision to part ways with you. Forest made the change then, Steve McLaren coming in. I can remember it was a bit of a disaster. The fans were singing shoes off for Billy back, all of this, We want Billy back. How did that How did the news come to you during the summer that you were leaving? Almost what do you make looking back on that first spell as well?

Well, as I said to you earlier on, my relationship with Nigel was first class. Even the last phone call that he made me, and I'll never forget. He called me up to say, Billy, I'm making this call with a heavy heart. I've decided to make a change. He said to me that over the next number of months, I would love to meet up with you. Let's go for a coffee. You've done a wonderful job at this club. But I've decided, what's interesting about that call, Max, is as time moves on, I then get told by the next owner of the club that there was two members of the board has spent many, many hours on the Sunday convincing Nigel to make the change. And Nigel, I've got no doubt, and I'm told, was very reluctant to make the change. And again, Nigel made the change because of these two board members that had spent this time at his house over a very long period, I'm told, to convince him to make the change. Again, I'm told it was against his heart and against his gut instinct, and that's why it was very disappointing.

You then returned to Forest in 2013 for the second spell under Fawaz. He was an interesting guy, to say the least, wasn't he? How did the news come about that Fawaz wanted you back?

We started to chat about the people that he was moving out. I made that clear, Max. Managers don't sack people at football clubs. They may take out a goalkeeping coach or they may change their first team coach or their assistant manager. But when it comes to the A hierarchy of club, no manager is involved in removing chief execs, directors of football, finance directors, club secretaries. It just doesn't happen. And from there, he tells me about the club, he tells me about certain people, he tells me about the changes that he makes. And then he says to me that he wants me to come back as manager. He was an ambitious man, wasn't he? He certainly was. And before I came in, he'd already put his money where his mouth was. He spent a lot of money.

But you categorically deny that you never, ever removed a member of staff at Nottingham Forest.

It doesn't happen, Max. Just like banning, mead banning, banning press. Managers don't ban press. That's a club choice, a club decision. Managers just can't will How do they go about banning people. That's going to be a club decision. It's the same with sacking good people. I can assure you, when I first met Fawaz, Fawaz made it clear about the conduct and behavior of certain staff members and the reason why he was removing certain people, which I won't go into. But he did make it clear why he was making these changes. I made it clear if I was, if he wanted me to come back, any of these changes mattered not to me as long as I was getting the technical staff that was required, a very successful staff that I had previously. These guys were the only important ones for me. But as for peripheral changes, as for media blackouts, there was 59 press conferences. The door was open to the press on 59 occasions, and some chose not to come in, and some chose to run. There was a media blackout. Again, there's no such a thing as a media flat out. No such a thing as managers banning journalists, and there's certainly no such a thing as a manager.

Here's the thing, Max. If I had that much power in Forest, as they say, and I had the power to make Why are these changes? Why was Rob Kelly kept at the club and why did I have two number twos? If I had the ability to sign all these good people and I had that much power, why did I end up with two number twos and why could I not take out the assistant manager of Steve McLaren, who was kept at the club because the manager, being me, could not remove people, but certainly could bring in one or two guys that I previously had who were very successful.

You talk about the media there, Billy. In football, the media have a role with managers and vice versa. Do you wish that the relationship was slightly different? Do you wish it wasn't as tarnished as it was at the end of your- No, because they're meant to be partial and they're meant to be unbiased.

I've got no problem with press doing their job. Their job is to report on the games. Their job is to report on the action. Their job is to go and do what they do. But when it becomes an impartial press and when it becomes a bias press that's clearly putting their information that's not true, then it becomes an issue. It became an issue for me because there was clearly a lot of bias reporting and a lot of very impartial reporting going on.

In terms of when the media were banned from Forest, that wasn't your decision at all. That came from all the staff members at the club.

Before I stepped in to Forest the second time, I was told there was a major problem between the owner and certain press people. I was told that basically the owner was getting accused of running around in these pajamas for example. That relationship, I understand before I came in, there was a lot of trouble because of the amount of stick that the owner was taking and the amount of negative reporting it was being done from certain journalists in and around the Midlands. So that relationship was already at that point, Max, already, I understand, broken. When I come in, I come in with one intention, and that is to get results, make players better, make the team better, and try and hit the targets achieved. But in relation to banning journalists, I can assure you, under no circumstances can a manager just will or nearly decide to ban journalists without the action being taken by the club and the decision being made by the club.

Many managers, Billy, made claims about Fawaz that he would make them pick certain players and there was all drama around that. I just wonder whether there was a moment or moment Billy, during your second spell at Forest, where you were forced to do things as a football manager. You really didn't want to do them.

Great question, Max.

Fawaz was down your ear, I imagine.

Great question. I got to say, when I first went to the club, Everton was fantastic with Fawaz. He was certainly... He was there with good intention.

Fast forward to when you left Forest under Fawaz. The last game hurt many fans, Forest fans, the five-nil defeat away at Pride Park at Derby. There was lots of injuries leading up to that game as well. I just wonder how you look back on that game as well and also your departure from Forest the last time that you were within football.

Well, let's not I'd play the injuries. The number of injuries we had was 10. Out of those 10 injuries, I would probably say to you that at least eight of them were first-team starters. There was two very interesting pull-outs on the Tuesday and the Thursday, one with an ankle injury and another one that was ill. Very strange timing of these two players pulling out of this game. And that was added to the eight players that was missing. And we had also a backs and knees and fractures and really serious, serious injuries to 10 players. We were two points outside the playoffs. There was nine games remaining. And where I think Fawaz got it wrong by listening to the wrong people, Is it statistically, every single time that I have been left a full season with a club, I have got to the playoffs of the play-off final and I've managed to bring in minimum 78 points. That game was hard to swallow because it was derby. Don't get me wrong, Steve McLaren was... He was very polite. Steve knew that he got Forrest on the good day. He got Forrest as weak as he could be to such an extent that I had to play my coach.

He was not a player at that team. He was not playing... Jonathan Greening was actually a coach for the Under-20s, I think it was with Charlie McParland. I had to play John on that game because of the injuries that we had. But again, I think there was a little bit of a lack of understanding from people. And I see at the minute all these top clubs in the Premier League, moaning about players that are missing and how it's badly affecting Manchester City, and it's badly affecting Tottenham Hospital, and it's badly affecting. But here we are with poor old Nottingham Forest in the Championship with 10 first-team players missing starters, nine games remaining and two points outside the playoff. Going to a derby county that we're lucky to get us on the day the way they did. Then, of course, a very disappointing Forest support. In my opinion, at the wrong place, wrong time, started to sing the great and famous It is what it is song. They've got to see, Max, the Burnley situation and the Derby situation is probably the reason why I didn't go over and applaud the supporters because I think they picked the wrong place at the wrong time under very difficult circumstances to do what they done.

Can you understand why the Forest supporters?

Absolutely. Yeah, definitely. I understand. That's the prerogative. As I said, I'm a big boy. I don't expect to get pats in the back every week. We do make mistakes. We are unlucky sometimes. Events do happen that change things. But at the same time, too, as I said, I think it was a lack of understanding, a lack of appreciation for the circumstances. I've got nothing but respect for foreign supporters still up to this day. Hence the reason why I'm here talking to you guys. I'm going to say they gave me great memories. I had a wonderful relationship with them and I've got great respect for them. Absolutely. That's the case.

Fawaz then makes the change You leave Billy, your last job in football. How did that conversation come about? And then just a few weeks later, an interesting conversation happened again with Fawaz. Talk to us about that.

Well, it was very interesting because ultimately, I was sacked for three different reasons, which I won't go into. What was very strange, he sacked me in March, 23rd of March, I think it was, 2014. On the sixth of November 2015, I guess, a call from Fawaz, and he asked me to come down to London Mayfair to speak to him. I fly down to London Mayfair. I get in there with his entourage. There's always a number of people around Fawaz. I got in there with Fawaz. To be honest with you, I haven't told the previous or the last year, four months, we got on great. I mean, this guy had great intention to try I do well for the club.

He went to Q8. I can remember Billy saying that he went to Q8.

He went to Q8, yeah. He went to do staff. We obviously had a lot of time together as well. But he obviously did listen to the old people and done what he done. That's fine. He flied me down to London on the 26th of November, Dean. And eventually, I said to him in amongst the conversation, I said, Fawaz, why am I here? He said, Billy, you're here because I want you to come back as manager. I've listened to the wrong people. So Fawaz knows that ultimately, there's things to sort out and things to address. For whatever reason, it doesn't happen. Then again, on January 2017, he calls me again and he says to me, Please come back to Forest. I apologize for listening to the wrong people. I want you back as manager. Again, it didn't happen. Then finally, Max, I think it was June 2019, He tries to buy Bolton Wanderers. He makes contact with me and he says to me, If we get Bolton, would you come back as manager? Why it didn't happen is another story for another day.

Would you have maybe returned to Forest or even to Bolton?

Absolutely. Listen, as I said to you earlier on, we had a bad run of injury. Just like Manchester. The great Pep Gardeona is missing some key players, and he's one, one, and twelve. It happens to the best of them, and it can happen to us. And we had a bad run of injury. And of course, what you need at that point is you need calm heads, you need experience, and you need the manager keeping the feet on the ground with the players and the staff. If Fawas had left us, I've got no doubt we would have got to the playoff, no doubt. And history proves that. If you lead me a full season, then at least what will happen is a playoff semifinal and a minimum of 78 points. And that's why he came back in, because I think he knew himself. He was a bit rushed with his decision He knew he shouldn't have made that decision. And I certainly would have come back to Forest, Max, because fantastic club, fantastic memories, some great achievements, worked with wonderful people. And I said If I was, believe it or not, I agreed to come back.

Yeah, let's go again. Let's get after that again.

Do you regret both spells, Billy, or do you look back at it as part and parcel of football in life?

What is it they regret?

In terms of a regret, you look back and think maybe if you'd done certain things differently, or do you think it was completely out of your hands?

I was privy to information that the supporters didn't have. I was on top of players' families, player injuries, medical departments, sports science departments. I was on top of conversations, video analysis, and I knew a lot of things. We done a lot of group decision making, if you like. We didn't just willy-nilly pick formations and pick teams and go down a certain route just for a reason. There was a lot of analysis, a lot of chat with people as well regarding, for example, Paul McKenna, who was coming back from a horrific knee injury and we had big decisions before the play-offs about playing Kenna. Do we risk that player who's now fit but not really match fit? There was also a decision we had to make in relation to loan players that we brought in that weren't quite up to speed and with you how they felt personally. No, there's no such a thing as regret, Max. What you do is you make decisions at that time with that information under those circumstances and in the best The best interest of the club, the fans and trying to win matches. There's no such a thing as regret.

It's quite simply, you just do what you do for the best interest of the club.

Talk to us about the event coming up, Billy. There's some key professionals involved in it. Guy Moussa, who I'm always speak to Guy, and he always speaks very highly of you, Billy, and speaks about how your management was excellent. But you got this event coming up in Nottingham in the new year in 2025. And are you ready to return to football management is the big question.

Well, I am, yes. I've got to say that I found myself away back in 2014 in a long-standing dispute with the previous owner of Forest. In addition to that, I've got to say, Max, I was horrendously advised by people that should have known better, by people I would think more off-field than on field. I was terrifically advised, which didn't help. Then, of course, there's a whole range of things that happened. Pandemics come in, some really serious family issues over a number of years, which made three points non-important. I decided to build qualification, travel the world, visit clubs, go to university and do diplomas, lots and lots of continued personal development, watched a ton of games. I've done a lot of mentoring. I got a lot of calls from young coaches, young managers who are asking me to give them advice and look at players, look at videos. Would you watch this match? Tell me what you think. I've enjoyed the mentoring side as well, but the time has never arrived. I've got my passion back. I've got my enthusiasm badge. I've never been more ready, I've got to tell you, on and off the pitch for getting back into this game.

We've decided to do one or two road shows starting in February. I'm really looking forward to getting back to Nottingham to talk to the fans. I'm sure they'll find one or two things very interesting, Max. There will be questions that they're allowed to ask. I'll be delighted to answer them, and I'll answer them honestly. It It'll be a fantastic roadshow, an exciting roadshow for the football people that are not biased and the football people that are not impartial. It'll be a fantastic event for them to be. And also, over and above that, A lot of my staff will be there. A lot of staff from Forest will be there. I've already been contacted by a number of the players first time and second time. A few of these guys want to come along, which is great. It won't just be the three guys on stage, Terry, Big Wes, and of course, the other guys will also be part of that platform, if you like. Campy, Wes, and Terry will be there. But we're going to throw one or two little tricks at the one or two of the other players and get them involved and we'll make it a great night for the Forest fans.

Good stuff.

Billy, you mentioned time flying with Pandéric and everything. We'll overlay this on the podcast now, but that was me. That was me I think that was 2013. I think that was the season, 2013 to '14 season. There was me as a young lad supporting Forest with you. And fun fact is all when you actually took my brother's hat off him and ran down the tunnel. You did bring the hat back.

As you can see there, Matt, the one thing that I've always believed is including the academy. I integrated all the academy. I love to work with academy coaches. I love to work with academy players. I love to get involved in the academy in relation to integration of players with first team, integration of staff with first team. I did promote Ian Jess from academy to a higher level of coaching. I did promote Steve Sutton to get more involved in the coaching. I did promote Chris Fairclough from the academy. I done the same with Julian Darby at Preston North End. I'm very keen in the academy The only problem is it was made clear to me at Forest that I was to have nothing to do with the academy because the academy was the control of a certain board member. They had absolute control over the academy Academy, and it was his baby. But in relation to young players, young people- Supporters. Supporters, giving people time, respecting academy coaches and young players, working with and giving these guys the helping hand up, being that adviser to these people, that mentor to these people, I've always got time for supporters and you've just proved it there.

I do remember it, Max. The first thing I thought about was, who's this little ugly with his heel on. This is why I said to you, going back would have been no problem because it was such a wonderful time with some fantastic supporters and great memories.

I just wanted to be really Finally, have you got a message to the Forest supporters? Forest is flying in the minute in the Premier League. It's a great start to a season, pretty much ever. Fourth in the Premier League under Nuno. Steve Cooper did a great job. First man in 23 years. I just wonder what you make of Forest in the minute, and if finally you've got a message to the Forest fans as well.

Well, first of all, well done, Steve Cooper, because this guy done an absolute fantastic job getting the club to the Premier League. I have always said in the past that the one thing you need from the club is commitment and support. And well played the Forest Board for giving Steve Cooper the support that he needed to take him through that very important first season. They spent a hell of a lot of money doing that, and it was great credit to the board. And of course, after that, with a huge spend on players, with great support to Steve, not only in relation to sticking by him when a lot were calling for his head, but also with the support that he gave him financially at that level, which he required. It was very sad to see Steve leave because I think he was very unlucky. But since then, Forrest have spent very, very well. They've brought in an enormous amount of players. They're now a tremendous competitive Premier League Club. They're doing a tremendous job with their new manager. A great credit to the board for putting their money where their mouth is. They're now an extremely good competitive Premier League Club.

I would say to the fans, Enjoy the good times. As they know in football, there's highs and lows, and you'll always get it. But when you get these good times, enjoy it. Get behind the manager, get behind the players. You've got a wonderful striker. The Adminence and Chris Woods has been outstanding with his goal return, and he's been an absolute joy. And that's the type of player that you need at that level. Although there's a lot of good players in different positions and I've got a very good squad for us. But certainly there's some key players at key moments, like Woods, that are single-handedly put this team into the top five, top four. And I wish them well. I've got great memories, a great love for the club and the fans. Guys, enjoy your time in the Premier League. It's a wonderful, wonderful experience for you. And I said to one of my friends who's a Forest supporter, he should already now book the European Cup tickets. Get the passport ready. Forest are going into Europe. Within two years, they'll conquer Europe and win it, and they'll put Liverpool. I mean, even if you look at that match, you look at who he's beat this year.

You're beat Chelsea, maybe wins and draws, but Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United. I mean, this is a club that doesn't need to fear anybody, and you can see that with their performance. So I've got to say, I wish he's well, and I hope he's get to Europe, and I hope it's a great end of the season for him.

Absolutely. Thanks, Billy. You've got this great event coming up, which we're going to give a couple of tickets out for, and we'll hopefully speak to you after that. And thanks for talking to us. I know it's not easy. I know it's been quite a while since you've been in front of the camera and doing media, but great to have you back. And thanks for revealing all.

Pleasure, Max. Thanks very much. Thank you..