Humble Lion and Nottingham Forest Football Clubs to Forge Links

The Humble Lion Football Club in Effortville, Clarendon, is to benefit from closer relations with the United Kingdom (UK)-based Nottingham Forest Football Club.

The cooperation between the clubs is part of two years of activities, from 2018 to 2020, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Nottingham Forest’s back-to-back wins of the European Cup in 1978/79 and 1979/80.

Humble Lion Football Club Chairman, Hon. Mike Henry, said the collaboration will see a number of activities occurring.

“A lot of the plans will be social; it will be the visit and exchange of club (members), among other things,” he noted.

Mr. Henry, who is also the Transport and Mining Minister, was speaking at a press conference to announce the development at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on December 7.

The Minister visited the UK on December 1, where he had discussions with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nottingham Forest, Loannis Vrentzos.

He said there are “innumerable opportunities between the clubs in all areas of football that offer themselves for long-term cooperation”.

“I am excited by the new owner’s vision and dedication to go beyond the average and seek new avenues, a new vision to foster relationships across the water and within a region that is closely tied to the UK,” he noted.

The club’s celebration, which commences in June 2018, also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the ‘Windrush’ to London.

The ship was the first of many that carried hundreds of Jamaicans to help with the rebuilding of the UK in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Nottingham Forest is using the observance of its unique victories and the arrival of the large Jamaican labour force to unite the city of Nottingham, promote diversity and build relationships.

A statement from the Nottingham Forest Football Club said plans for the active inclusion of the Jamaican diaspora in the club’s activities are being finalised and will be gradually rolled out in the second quarter of 2018.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President, Michael Ricketts, expressed pleasure at the development.

“We are delighted and we pledge our full support as we try to lift Jamaica’s brand, and certainly Clarendon. We will give our full support to this venture,” he said.

Founded in 1865, Nottingham Forest is one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Its most successful period was between 1976 and 1982. The club’s owner is Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Greek football club, Olympiacos.

The 43-year-old Humble Lion Club was founded in 1974 by a group of Rastafarians. Since 2009, the club has finished in the top six in the National Premier League and has made it to the semi-finals twice.