Episode 4 Late Kick Off Midlands

Hello and welcome to Late Kick Off, after a weekend overshadowed by the

death of one of Midlands' Tonight: A lifelong supporter who

became the financial saviour of the club. We assess the impact of Nigel

Doughty. I will remember him as a gentleman. I would like his

supporters to sit down and think what he has done for Nottingham

Forest. From fighting relegation to chasing promotion: Wes Morgan on

Leicester's chances of gate- crashing the automatic promotion

party. Intentions are clear to get that poorer -- promotion. And 40

years on: Hereford remembers the greatest FA cup shock of all.

was absolute chaos. And I'm joined in the studio tonight by a man who

knew Nigel Doughty well. John McGovern won the European Cup twice

as Forest captain. Also here, from the current Forest team, is

goalkeeper Lee Camp. And from across the Trent, the manager of

Notts County, Martin Allen. It's been a difficult season for fans of

Nottingham Forest but their on- field concerns were put in

perspective on Saturday when news broke of the death of Nigel Doughty.

The club's owner saved Forest from administration in 1999 but stood

down as chairman earlier this season. Natalie Jackson looks back

on the life of a man who liked to stay in the background. As the snow

came down on the City Ground on Saturday afternoon, Nigel Doughty

died. We are at the low point in our history now I think. I just

feel so sorry for this family. don't know what to say - I am just

devastated. Nigel was 54. He lived in a quiet Lincolnshire village. He

was found dead in the gym of his home. This morning the Forest

players spoke about him. It is such a massive shock all round. Everyone

is shaken up. He was a very warm man and very humble. It was a dream

of his to run the football - only good things. He was always behind

his manager but hated the limelight. In a rare interview when he saved

the club 11 years ago, his motivation was clear. I have always

been a fan. Our children are a fan. This is our hobbie. Our passion.

This is what we enjoy. Former European winner Kenny Burns says he

didn't get enough recognition for putting around �100 million of his

own personal wealth into the club. There is not anyone in the history

of the club to put that much money in to Nottingham Forest or any of

the local East Midlands team and I think the supporters should

appreciate the man who did so much for the club. He made a difference

away from football, too. One year he donated �4 million to charity

and was one of the Labour party's biggest donors. Today there were

tribute from the world of politics. He insisted on supporting the

labour party. Nobody is perfect! You was a very nice bloke and a

very able and intelligent guy. Nigel never, ever courted publicity

nationally for all the support he gave to us and I think it is

wonderful to have the opportunity to say thank you. Even at Derby

County, he'll be missed. Rivalry put aside this weekend, as the

clubs unite in sorrow. I will just miss the one on one time I will

have with him. He was such a good man and show great passion and

commitment for his club. One of the saddest things for many is that in

the last sixth months, Nigel did not perhaps feel welcome at his own

club. He stood down when Steve McLaren quit and has not returned

to watch a game since. I am hoping that he didn't die thinking that

the fans didn't appreciate him and didn't blamed him. He felt

unwelcome at his own club. He saved the club. There would be no club

without him. He was one of us - one of us, definitely. Perhaps now he

has gone we will realise how much he will be missed. Oh, we will -

you appreciate someone once they He will be a big miss to, of course,

his family and secondly, Nottingham Forest. So a gentle giant, a local

man who saved, loved and wanted the best for his club. He leaves behind

a wife and four children. John, he was a lifelong Forest fan.

To put �100 million of his own wealth into a football club, it is

very rare these days. Yes, very rare. The support of Nottingham

Forest came with his family before him, so he has got a lot of routes

based in the club. To achieve what he would consider to have been a

dream, it has taken over his football team, and try and guide

them back into the Premier League must have given him some fantastic

pleasure. The disappointment was of course that before he passed away

they got a three play-offs, and almost accomplished his dream. Once

people realise how generous he was, it would have been nice if he could

have fulfilled that dream before he passed away. Some fans may not have

agreed with how he did things, but there for fun would have been if --

the good of the football team? he tried to run it as a business

and he was very successful in what he did. What he did for the

football club over the 10 years he was there was very unique. From a

player's point of view, he took a lot of pride if we could have got

him into the Premier League. something that emerged, for someone

who played such a pivotal role in history at Nottingham Forest, he

did not hog the limelight. No, he just wanted to get on with the job

and do it to the best of his ability. As chairman of the

football club, he was that pleasant but man that you could speak to him

on any level and he would always get a reasonable response. I must

say, the Times I have met him and spoken to him, for someone in such

a position we would consider had it all, he has got wealth, he is a

good-looking man, a big, fit man, the only thing I'm really there is

sad about besides him losing his life was that he didn't manage to

fulfil the dream. I hope that once the full details of how much he

supported the club comes out, there will be a few remorseful supporters

who gave him a lot of stick, who will be thinking, I might have got

it wrong about the scurf and admitting it. He had an influence

on the city of Nottingham has a? Yes, I believe so. I find it

strange and very disappointing with the society in general that Nigel

Doughty would put �100 million into that football club, that people

would criticise him and knock him for his efforts. That is very sad,

it is a shame for all for Forest fans that he never got the Premier

League. But now I am sure everybody will look back and say what a

fantastic job he has done. A few years ago, it was good for

everybody in Nottingham, and ensure there are lots of Notts County

supporters who will be grateful to Nigel. He stood down as chairman at

the beginning of this season when things weren't going well. There

was a lot of abuse hurled at the manager who eventually left, and he

took a very pragmatic look at it and decided to stand down. He was a

big enough man to admit that he got it wrong. He then said he would

still guarantee that the club would be supported financially for the

next 2.5 years. How generous is that? Our thoughts go to Nigel's

family and friends. Still to come: The weekend's goals and action,

such as it was, including Leicester losing three points and two players

As for the weekend's games, only three Midlands teams were in action

because of the freezing conditions and some might be wishing their

games had been postponed too. For example, Leicester City, whose four

match unbeaten run ended at Brighton in controversial

circumstances. Last Wednesday, Nigel Pearson had fallen foul of

officialdom against Middlesbrough. At Brighton, it was his players who

were in trouble. The referee Andy Woolmer sent off City's Jermaine

Beckford for apparently aiming a kick after a tackle on Brighton's

Lewis Dunk. Mr Woolmer initially took no action but after speaking

to his assistant, he changed his mind. Nigel Pearson praised his

team's performance and recent signing Danny Drinkwater threatened

to open the scoring but his cross tackle by Brighton's matt Sparrow

meant there was no debate about the game's second sending off The

game's only goal arrived in the last minute. There was still time

for Leicester's day to get worse when Neil Danns became the third

player to be sent off. The whole experience left Nigel Pearson

My take on that will remain private. I have seen the incident. We will

wait for the report. I was going to see the referee but I decided it

was probably not to my interest to do that. We are clear what happened.

I am more than disappointed. And try and put a calm slant on this,

but the players are furious. We are furious and it has affected the

game. Birmingham City are the form team in the championship and their

recent winning run was tested in the snow by second placed

Southampton. The commentator is Dan to score for Birmingham. David

Murphy, Murphy lines at the shot from King. A good save their by

Kelvin Davis through the snow. It Kelvin Davis through the snow. It

is a very good save. As a result, Birmingham are 5th in

the Championship. Coventry's hopes of escaping relegation are becoming

bleaker. They conceded a very late goal to lose a game.

Three successive home wins have given Coventry supporters a slice

given Coventry supporters a slice of hope. It ended in cruel

circumstances. Defensive errors that led to a first goal from

Ipswich. It has whipped him. It is in! Oh no, he is given a penalty!

D'etat in runs forward. How sweet a goal would be now. The Leeds did

not last long. Whether Richard Keogh's challenge on Martin merited

a penalty is debatable. The crowd trying to put of the player. There

is danger Rabiya the rent. Can you is danger Rabiya the rent. Can you

believe it! It has happened a few times to us. It is something we

have to learn. I cannot see where the penalty came from. It was

against Richard Keogh, wasn't it? There were some strange decisions

today. They were again changing decisions, but I do not want to get

into that because I know it is a tough job.

Andy Thorn, looking back, it cost them a great result. What you

think? It is a young team at Coventry who are learning the hard

way. They certainly are. With so many young players on your side,

you would like a little bit of time. Football does a ditty that time. If

you're on the side, you are meant to perform. If you are a manager,

regardless of the circumstances, you are meant to get results

immediately. There is a lot of unfair criticism aimed at that club,

because there has been no real investment to bring equality onto

the playing side. It is a real struggle, and the manager is doing

it with a bit of dignity. With so many young players, you hope that

the supporters showed a bit of patience. Birmingham, unbeaten in

12, playing in atrocious conditions. I cannot be easy. I cannot say I

fancy playing in that, especially as a goalkeeper. They have done

really well. How they surprised you? Yes and No. I thought it might

take a little bit longer to gel, but they have a top manager who

knows the Championship. Chris Hughes has bought -- done really

well. They have a good formula. your old club turn it around Kew

back? Yes, I think he will. He did well there to bite his lip.

Dismissal for Jermaine Beckford looked extremely harsh. We do not

know if he has said anything, but Nigel will get that right. He is a

top manager. They are appealing. Notts County's game was one of many

which fell by the wayside at the weekend. They were unable to build

on last week's win at Walsall. Lee Hughes's Gaulle -- 10th goal of the

season was enough to be the Saddlers. It was against Stevenage

at home. They beat us in the FA Cup a week before, so I think all the

players were fresh after the first half performance. The players play

the second half extremely well. They did not deserve to lose. It

was an opportunity to have a go back at them. It was great to see

Lee Hughes score. Eight points away from the play-offs. Is your glass

half-full or half-empty? It has been a fantastic first 10 months.

After coming from bonnets and keeping Notts County about the end

of last season, it has been a fantastic start. The League Cup

game away over the river against these guys, that was good. You did

play well that night! A I was not there, unfortunately! Forest were

lucky to stay in. It has been a great 10 months, really enjoy it.

The support has been fantastic. Weather permitting, Birmingham City

can press claims for promotion tomorrow when they entertain

Portsmouth at St Andrews. There's a terrific match in prospect in

League Two when children take on Crawley.

If you ran a poll to find out what was the most famous FA Cup shot of

all time, one that was played 40 years ago would be right up there.

On February 5th, 1972, Newcastle United took on her fate. The

original game had to ended in a 2-2 It is such a big day, such a

special day, a special occasion. Such belief in Hereford at the time.

The magic of the story kept everybody interested read the

country. It was the first time in 23 years that a non-League side had

been -- beating one of the country's top division clubs.

don't think it will happen ever again. We were part time. We were

less than part-time. Hereford United's win has been acknowledged

as one of the biggest shocks in FA There were so many people there.

They were hanging off trees outside the ground. It was a brilliant

atmosphere. A few people still look at it and think, Hereford, that

team that built Newcastle all those years ago! It is the one thing you

can be really proud of, because it put us on the mat. Colin Addison

was manager. It was his equaliser at St James's Park that forced the

replay at Edgar Street. It was 5th February 1972 and the giant killing

off Newcastle United fans to two goals from Ronnie Radford and Ricky

George. I am glad I got her the way, because he whacked it into the top

corner. If they had had three goalkeepers that day, it would

still have gone in. Ricky's first touch was good, very good. He

attracted onto his left foot, ran across and put it into the side.

Two lovely strikes, two memorable strikes. Grenville Smith was on

duty that day. He is a lifelong Bulls fund -- fan. When Ronnie

scored, it was a natural reaction. It was something that did not

expect! He it was a match that launched the career of a well-known

commentator, John Motson, as the 26-year-old. He was on trial for

much of the day. The fact that Hereford when compelled it to the

main she -- main feature. Much of the day had an audience of up to 10

million on cup-tied, so my profile changed in one afternoon. It was

the Cup tie that had everything. Two games, five postponements and

someone who played with a broken leg. Martin Brain was a ball boy,

but the ball boys were not needed at that fixture. He was plant and

mocks the crowd. Hereford scored the winning goal, jumped off there

and nearly knocked someone's head off. It was chaos! Amongst the

16,000 so -- fans in the stand, was this ban. Richard Prime said it was

a game that changed his life. have been coming ever since.

Through thick and thin, mostly thin. It was the time when higher --

Hereford United never seemed to lose. There was a great run.

Hereford got a letter to the Football League in got promoted the

following season. It was a glorious time, one that will probably never

be repeated. What did it mean? It was so special. The magic of the FA

Cup. We enjoyed that day, that's Fantastic occasion. You remember it

well? Incredible, wasn't it? Yes, the scenario of Newcastle against

Hereford just typify is the magic that the FA Cup has. Is it still

there? Without a shadow of a doubt. I went to an FA Cup tie a few weeks

ago on a Sunday afternoon, and we won 3. The Sutton supporters were

full-on. We got three. interesting thing was the state of

the pitch at Edgar Street for that game, because that would probably

not go ahead today. That is good compared to where I used to play!

In those days, the game was on no matter what. Even if the ground was

frozen, if the pitch was flat you would still play the game. As long

as it was flat, you would still play.

You can hear more memories of that game by listening to a special

programme on BBC Hereford and Worcester which will be available

on the BBC iPlayer. We love to hear from you on Late Kick Off. We are

open for business seven days on Facebook. You can continue the

conversation right now on Twitter. There are not many players these

days who are 20 Yates who have made over 400 appearances it for this

one club. Wes Morgan could say that until one week ago. Maybe he

thought he would leave Nottingham Forest, but Nigel Pearson thought

he was a key part of his promotion For Wes Morgan, it has been a soul-

searching few weeks. I have always given it my best for Forest, and

they will always have a place in my heart. I thought it was time.

Where's grew up in inner-city Nottingham. He lived on an estate

on the banks of the trends and became captain of Nottingham Forest

against all the odds. I remember watching him when I was a kid and I

never thought they would be there. It was a great honour. One of the

happiest days of my life. What a goal! Wes Morgan! I am fascinated

by West's story. How did a shy, young boy develop into 80 Howlett -

- talismanic cult hero, and why after 10 years if he decide to

leave his beloved club in their hour of need for a local rival?

Leicester's intentions are to try to push for the play-offs at the

moment. I want to be a part of that. I am out of my comfort zone at the

moment, but I am settling him and getting to know people. I am ready

for this new chapter. To understand his decision, you have to go back

to the start. Over the last decade, Wes has been one of the few

constants at the City Ground. have been to the play-offs a couple

of time. We beat Derby home-and- away. A good time for Forest.

many people do not know is he very nearly did not make it. I went to

watch him, and this lad came running out, and his socks did not

go up to his knees because his legs were too big. His skill at --

should was skin-tight. He was overweight. Former Leeds defender

John Pemberton was a coach when West arrived. He said he saw him in

the car-park and asked who he was. He said he didn't want any trialist

looking like that in this club. We hid him from the manager for about

eight months. The rest is history. Now he is there longest serving

player. I got really emotional, almost to tears. I was giving hugs

to everyone, and I realised it was goodbye. It got to be a little bit.

Do you feel let down by Forest? not particularly. It just gets to

the point where you think, are we actually going to get to the place

we all want to be two that is the Premiership. But what about the

competition? Leicester already have a pall of centre-backs. I have been

brought here to do a job. I will wait for an opportunity. Do you

think Leicester can be promoted this season? There are plenty of

points to be gained and plenty of games to play. We have a strong

chance and I believe we can do it. Look at that. You will always be

missed and you are election. Life without its wares for the

first time in a decade is worrying for Forest. Leicester may build

He almost had you in tears. What is he going to bring to the Leicester

team? A big smile. I will miss him at a walking in every morning. No.

He will bring commitment and passion and defending. He is a big,

friendly giant, really. He is a professional, and he will be a