Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Phil Medlicott

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper defends club’s 20-minute flight for FA Cup tie

Action Images via Reuters

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has defended the decision to take a 20-minute flight for the club's FA Cup tie with Blackpool on Saturday.

The club decided to fly to Lancashire to avoid a journey of approximately 135 miles and two hours and 45 minutes via road.

Premier League Forest lost the game 4-1 to the Championship side.

The move comes after a recent extension of the partnership with energy firm Eon aimed to "raise awareness of the climate crisis".

"We trust the operations logistics team to do what's right for the players," Cooper said.

"I don't think we're an outlier, I think it's pretty normal, whether it's right or wrong, for a team in the Premier League, and a lot of Championship teams, to fly distances like that.

"It's probably not just a question for Nottingham Forest, it's probably one for the whole of the Premier League. Because of where we're situated in the country, we probably fly less than most.

"Everything is done with the best and right intentions for success. We're a thoughtful club, a family club, and we always try to do what's right for the greater good, but that's also giving the team the best chance to play well in games."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.