Steve Cooper makes 'magical' Nottingham Forest comment

Promotion to the Premier League has “reminded the world Nottingham Forest is a magical football club”, according to boss Steve Cooper.

The Reds are back in the top-flight after a 23-year absence after beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 in the Championship play-offs final at Wembley. An own goal from Levi Colwill proved to be the difference under the famous arch, but Cooper felt his side proved their worth across the whole season.

The Welshman arrived at the City Ground in September, when Forest were rock-bottom of the table, and has overseen a remarkable transformation. Not only that, he has struck up an incredible bond with the supporters, who revelled in the celebrations at the full-time whistle.

“There’s such good will around the club. We’ve been desperate for something like this. I’ve felt it in the last eight or nine months,” said Cooper.

“We’ve just tried to put a sense of belief in amongst the club which is connected with the supporters. There’s no doubt we deserve to be promoted, with the football we’ve played and the games we’ve won, and the attitude we’ve given - every time we’ve had an average performance or lost, we’ve recovered.

“There was only once we lost two games on the run, and ironically, that was against Huddersfield. But we bounced back.

“I’m just really proud of everybody connected with the football club, including the supporters. It’s a magical football club, and we’ve reminded the world of that.”