It is with great sadness that Nottingham Forest report the death of Academy Director Bob Fairhall after a year long battle with illness. He was 75.

Bob was a life-long fan of the club and achieved an ambition in 1992 when he became a Director and in recent years had been an Academy Director as well as supervising the maintenance of all the club's playing areas.

He was a keen all-round sportsman and as well as playing football for Mansfield Town and a number of top non-league clubs he was a highly-respected cricketer, playing for Cheshire County Cricket Club.

In more recent times he became their Chairman for 13 years.

He was also a very keen race-goer.

Forest Chief Executive Mark Arthur said: "I know I speak for everyone connected with Nottingham Forest in saying that we have lost a very dear friend and colleague.

"Bob had a great appetite for life, made friends wherever he went and was a great companion.

"His input to the club was inestimable and while his contribution will be greatly missed, we will miss him even more as a friend."

As a mark of respect to Bob, there will be a minute's silence before Friday night's friendly between Forest and Everton at The City Ground and the players will wear black armbands.