Nottingham Forest has become the latest English club to be bought by overseas investors following a takeover by Kuwait's Al-Hasawi family.
New owners —
Nottingham Forest has become the latest English club to be bought by overseas investors following a takeover by Kuwait's Al-Hasawi family.
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The club's golden era began in 1978 when Forest won the English first division under the guidance of iconic manager Brian Clough, right, and his assistant Peter Taylor.
Cloughie's boys —
The club's golden era began in 1978 when Forest won the English first division under the guidance of iconic manager Brian Clough, right, and his assistant Peter Taylor.
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A year later, Forest stunned the football world by winning the European Cup, eliminating two-time defending champions Liverpool before beating Sweden's Malmo in the final.
European glory —
A year later, Forest stunned the football world by winning the European Cup, eliminating two-time defending champions Liverpool before beating Sweden's Malmo in the final.
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Forest matched Liverpool's feat by winning Europe's top club tournament again in 1980, beating Hamburg 1-0 in the final in Madrid.
Double success —
Forest matched Liverpool's feat by winning Europe's top club tournament again in 1980, beating Hamburg 1-0 in the final in Madrid.
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However, apart from a domestic cup in 1990, that was the last major trophy that Forest won under Clough, whose reign ended after relegation from the new Premier League in 1993.
Sinking feeling —
However, apart from a domestic cup in 1990, that was the last major trophy that Forest won under Clough, whose reign ended after relegation from the new Premier League in 1993.
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Forest's "Robin Hood" mascot on parade during a third-division match in 2007. The club narrowly avoided a return to that tier last season amid continuing struggles on and off the pitch.
Rich and poor —
Forest's "Robin Hood" mascot on parade during a third-division match in 2007. The club narrowly avoided a return to that tier last season amid continuing struggles on and off the pitch.
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Owner Nigel Doughty quit as chairman after his disastrous appointment of former England manager Steve McClaren last season, then put the club up for sale. He passed away in February 2012 aged 54 before the Al-Hasawi family agreed the takeover.
Benefactor passes away —
Owner Nigel Doughty quit as chairman after his disastrous appointment of former England manager Steve McClaren last season, then put the club up for sale. He passed away in February 2012 aged 54 before the Al-Hasawi family agreed the takeover.
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Forest fans will hope the new owners have the same impact that Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has had at Manchester City, having won the Premier League title within four years of taking over.
City sheikh —
Forest fans will hope the new owners have the same impact that Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has had at Manchester City, having won the Premier League title within four years of taking over.
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Middle East money has been flowing into European football, with Qatar's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani plowing millions into French club Paris Saint-Germain.
Arab ambition —
Middle East money has been flowing into European football, with Qatar's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani plowing millions into French club Paris Saint-Germain.
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In 2010, Qatar won the race to host the 2022 World Cup, the first Middle Eastern country to do so. As well as France, it has also invested in the Spanish league.
Spreading influence —
In 2010, Qatar won the race to host the 2022 World Cup, the first Middle Eastern country to do so. As well as France, it has also invested in the Spanish league.
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