Nottingham Forest’s season is a success story, not a failure… the Premier League table puts a big smile on my face, writes club legend GARRY BIRTLES

Nottingham Forest is a success story. A massive one, make no mistake. Finishing seventh in the Premier League is not a failure in the slightest. I look at that table and it puts a big smile on my face. 

For goodness sake, we are back in Europe! If you had offered us this at the start of the season – the beautiful prospect of European evenings returning to the City Ground when so many thought we could be relegation candidates – I and everyone else who loves this great club would have snapped your hands off in an instant. 

I’m born and bred Nottingham. It’s in my blood. I was in the team that got to two European Cup finals in 1979 and 1980. And I can’t wait to see us back in Europe, even if that is the Conference League. 

Sure, there can be disappointment at the home form of late, losing three of the last four and drawing with Leicester. 

That’s what ultimately cost us making it into the Champions League – not only this one defeat by Chelsea. 

Enzo Maresca’s side deserve credit for what they did. They are such a young side but they defended well, hardly allowed an attempt on their goal, and executed their game plan perfectly to finish fourth once all was said and done. 

Forest’s defeat to Chelsea on the final day saw the club miss out on the Champions League

Forest just didn’t have enough to break them down. But overall, what a season it has been. 

You will do well finding somewhere that beats the City Ground for atmosphere. It’s up there with the best in the country, and I for one cannot wait to take in those European evenings next season.