New era at Nottingham Forest as Evangelos Marinakis takes over

Evangelos Marinakis Credit: NFFC

Evangelos Marinakis is now the man who owns the majority of Nottingham Forest Football Club.

He is a Greek businessman and also the owner of Olympiakos.

After forming an English company called NF Football Investments Limited, he and another Greek investor, Sokratis Kominakis, have purchased the full 100% of Forest's shares after approval from the English Football League.

Mr Marinakis, who is 49-years-old, attended high school and university in England. He began his successful international shipping career in London. He has been the owner of Olympiakos since 2010.

Fawaz Al Hasawi, the former owner of Nottingham Forest Credit: PA

Forest had been owned by Fawaz Al Hasawi since the summer of 2012. Many fans have been unhappy with the running of the club under Al Hasawi and have long protested for his departure.

Earlier in the season Forest were on the verge of being purchased by an American businessman, but the proposed deal dramatically fell through in January.

Mark Warburton, Manager of Nottingham Forest Credit: PA

Nicholas Randall QC, a sports lawyer, has been appointed as Chairman of Nottingham Forest, while the manager, Mark Warburton, has been given the backing by the new owners. They say they will give him time and support to rebuild the team. It has also been announced that Frank McParland's contract as Sport Director has been extended.

The Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust say they are impressed with the immediate signs of structure from the new owners.

The City Ground Credit: PA

Forest survived relegation by the skin of their teeth. The fans will now be hoping this new era at the City Ground brings with it some much needed success.