As a devoted Derby County fan, for my sins, I should not really be seen to be singing the praises of the Rams’ East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.
But, as that Derby supporter, I’m delighted Forest have avoided the indignity of dropping out of the Championship – for none other reason than Billy Davies.
The feisty Scot was, of course, in charge of
Derby for a time, led the club to the Premier League, way ahead of schedule, and then paid the price for a poor start with the old tin tack.
The subsequent appointment of Paul Jewell at Pride Park failed to halt Derby’s slide towards the worst ever Premier League record, which makes me think the Rams’ board acted hastily.
Therefore, I am really pleased that Billy, after a brief sabbatical, has managed to get to grips with
Forest and avoid the dreaded drop, albeit by the skin of their teeth.
So there will be some more Rams-Forest derbies to look forward to again next season, with Nigel Clough steering Derby to safety in similarly nerve-tingling fashion.
Norwich’s 2-0 home defeat by Reading on Monday night was enough to see Forest safe before their final game of the season at home to Southampton.
Davies told the club's official website: "I would like to say a big thank you to everybody at the football club, the players, the staff, the auxiliary staff and most importantly the fans.
"I think it's been a wonderful effort from all concerned and they should really enjoy what has been an absolutely outstanding achievement and also to date no doubt Billy Davies' best achievement.
"I've got no doubt this is my proudest moment in football so far, and that's saying something when you look at the track record of previous years gone by.
"I've got to say I'm very, very, very proud to have kept this football club up, along with my staff, very proud of the players' efforts and for everybody concerned because there is no doubt it's an outstanding achievement."
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