‘Sit down and show some respect’

I’m sure many Reds supporters have dreamt of getting into the changing room at full-time to give the players a good rollocking after a sub-standard performance. For one Forest fan, this dream turned into a reality during Gary Megson’s tenure virtually 12 years ago to the day.

Notts County and Gleeds Director Jon Enever is a life-long Nottingham Forest supporter and has been a season ticket holder at the City Ground since the age of six. For a long time he went to every Forest match both home and away but nowadays is more restricted to Forest one week and Notts the next – much like his Dad used to do in the 1960s.

Enever recalls the unprecedented incident that occurred down in Somerset following the Reds’ 3-0 defeat at Yeovil in October 2005 – just 3 days after another embarrassing defeat at the hands of Woking in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Enever said: “At half-time I was walking back to the stand when I found myself standing next to Gary Megson. It was one of those opportune moments when I felt I had to say something to him. I recall saying: ‘That was awful. We lost the first five 50/50 challenges and we’ve allowed Yeovil to impose their style of play on us. There was no tempo and we’ve not earned the right to be in the game’”.

Megson agreed and suggested that was exactly what he had just told the players during the break. The current West Brom Assistant Head Coach then amazingly gave Jon and his friend the opportunity to give the post-match talk in the away dressing room at Huish Park.

He recalls: “The changing rooms at Yeovil are extremely small so we were stood right in the middle of the players. We didn’t rant or rave and Megson said in the press afterwards that we were articulate, constructive and that he agreed with all the points that we made”.

Volatile

There were some big characters in the dressing room that day including David Johnson, Jack Lester, Gareth Taylor, Kris Commons and also a certain centre half who went on to captain and lift the Premier League trophy with Leicester City in 2016.

“Wes (Morgan), like most of the players, looked surprised that we were in the changing room at first” said Enever.

“Megson warned us that it could be volatile and I remember Danny Cullip standing up to have a go back. But my friend who is 6ft 4ins told him to sit down and show some respect, which he duly did – at that point I knew we had the full attention of the changing room.

“By the time we’d finishing speaking a lot of the players were nodding in agreement at the points we were making and they won the following game against Bradford City so perhaps some of the sentiments we expressed resonated with at least some of them”.

Notts

Enever now finds himself in a more senior position at Meadow Lane and works closely alongside owner Alan Hardy, who he has known for over 10 years, and another big Forest fan in the form of football commentator Darren Fletcher. But do they both get any stick for their Garibaldi roots?

He said: “Both Fletch and I have received a few comments on social media and at certain events, but it’s been more light-hearted banter than anything. It’s not Derby after all!

“Our role is to help Alan Hardy develop the vision for the football club and to work with Kevin Nolan and his management team to implement it.

“Football was a new venture for him and he wanted people around him whom he could trust and would be prepared to challenge him in a constructive manner.

He added: “The amount of transformation that has gone on at the football club in such a short space of time is astonishing. Alan works 24/7 and Kevin and his management team have the exact same work ethic.

“Our first involvement was to assist Alan in interviewing managerial candidates. That was interesting to say the least and very different from any interviews that I’ve been involved in during my own career!”

Positive

Enever has been keeping a close eye on the work of Forza Garibaldi and believes enhancing the pre-match experience can make the difference on the pitch.

He said: “I think it’s a brilliant initiative and anything that helps to reconnect football clubs with supporters has to be a positive step. Helping to add to the enjoyment of fixtures, with initiatives such as the pre-match music or boats on the Trent, has to enhance the customer experience, as does creating a special atmosphere inside the ground. Long may it continue”.

And with FG in the privileged position of having held positive discussions with Nottingham Forest’s Chairman and Advisory Board, Mr Enever believes having direct dialogue between fans and the club is hugely important.

He added: “Owners of football clubs and boards are only custodians of that football club for a period of time. What doesn’t change is the fan base who are the real “owners”. Any board should look to understand the views of the supporters and take their feedback seriously to ensure improvements are made where it’s realistic”.

We thank Mr Enever for taking the time to talk to us and wish Notts County – especially Forest loanees Jorge Grant and Ryan Yates, good luck and success this season.

Dan Mounser