“No local authority can subsidize a PL club, The council is ready to continue negotiations, but we can only do that if Forest come back with meaningful comparable evidence on their valuation of the site”- Nottingham City Council responds to Forest as City Ground rift continues

Nottingham City council have now issued a response to Nottingham Forest after issues between both parties over the City Ground stadium dragged on.

Negotiations are said to have fallen through over a deal to buy land off the A52 for a new training ground has only added to the club’s thinking over potentially relocating. In an interview with The Athletic, Cartledge said the club are weighing up whether to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City and have a stadium and training ground on the same complex.

“The terms on that (training ground) project are prohibiting us, but other things have come forward that have given us time to think,” he said. “Where do we want to be? Where are those campuses where we can try to put all of this together in the way Manchester City have done?”

Nottingham City Council responded to Cartledge’s interview. They said in a statement: “The City Ground lease has been discussed for a long time now and it’s important to say again that the council remains committed to finding a solution which works for both parties. Unfortunately, we’ve had little back from the club recently by way of negotiation – this is highly unusual in a property transaction.

“We’ve been very clear with Forest that the council is legally bound by the need to seek best value for taxpayers – no local authority can subsidise a Premier League football club. We’re seeking market rate for the site, nothing more, which is in line with our statutory requirements.

“The council is ready to continue negotiations, but we can only do that if Forest come back with meaningful comparable evidence on their valuation of the site, which has been repeatedly requested. At present, we’ve simply been told what the club is not prepared to pay without a constructive way forward being proposed.”