Nottingham Forest fan launches petition for head coach Steve Cooper to be awarded freedom of city

A Nottingham Forest fan who has been a season ticket holder for 32 years has launched an online petition for head coach Steve Cooper to be given the freedom of the city. The Reds secured promotion to the Premier League after beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Sunday (May 29).

Marcus Alton, 55, who lives in Nottinghamshire, has been a season ticket holder at The City Ground in 1990, and was there to see the historic moment in person at the weekend as well as the Old Market Square celebrations. He said he wanted to set up the petition as a "symbolic gesture that would have lasting recognition".

Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Marcus said: "I've not witnessed such joyous scenes in many years; Steve Cooper's connection with the fans has been special, not many managers have been able to do that. He's well known for punching the air in victory after matches, and this would be Nottingham's own giant fist bump for Cooper.

"The sheer impact of the success is huge for Nottingham, for local sport, the economy and civic pride. This would be a small way of being able to say thank you."

Marcus says it's been special to have been a part of the celebrations. He can't wait to see some of the biggest clubs in the world play at The City Ground in the Premier League.

Marcus said: "I was at Wembley with my brother-in-law and nephew, and I haven't seen anything like those scenes for years and years. And I've been a season ticket holder since 1990, my first match was all the way back in 1977 when we were in the old Second Division and Brian Clough was in charge.

"The Old Market Square celebrations were breath-taking too - I was there in the middle of it all, it was a privilege to have been a part