It’s arguably been the longest ever period in the clubs rich, long and decorated history that two players of the same Garibaldi Red jersey have not been able to come into contact with each other, let alone kick a ball together, but now, finally, after almost 12 weeks since that disappointing Friday night loss against Millwall prior to the outbreak of Covid-19 and all that went with it…. Nottingham Forest Football Club are finally back in training.

Yesterday the team were back in the sun at the Nigel Doughty Academy with social distancing measures in place but more importantly ‘smiles’ in place too as the team got together put through their paces by the coaching staff with a number of drills designed to help brush off the cobwebs of lockdown.

The Reds still don’t have confirmation from the EFL as to what will happen with the remainder of the Championship season but with the governments recent relaxation of its rules it is confident that their will be some sort of football played over the coming months all be it most likely behind closed doors until at least October.

The Championship and EFL is under pressure to finish the season but is waiting until the Premier League announces its plans before it can come up with a plan. With the leagues hopeful of a conclusion for a mid-June start a lot of questions still remain unanswered but the main objective in getting the players fit for any potential restart is now at least something the clubs involved can control.

Whilst the Championship and Nottingham Forest should get the go-ahead only if the Premier League clubs agree to a format that will ensure the remainder of its campaign is completed the EFL League One and League Two is less than certain of fulfilment with many of the clubs involved having already released their players under contract until mid-May (when the season proper was officially supposed to end originally).

Mansfield Town have let a number of their players go already and it is likely that this week their division will be closed by the league committee after the league two clubs had previously agreed to conclude through a vote, whilst Forest and the Championship still have a big part to play in what happens to next seasons Premier League (and the money that goes with it) it is vital that an end result is found for promotion and relegation purposes but that can only be found if the Premier League does agree to continue.

Lots of ifs, buts and maybes but one thing for certain is that Nottingham Forest Football Club are back, and its good to see the players back where they belong and enjoying themselves too.

*Main image @NFFC blessed in sunlight the Nigel Doughty Academy before training yesterday.