Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints received a letter from Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis congratulating their achievements last season.
The New Saints FC won the title for the sixth consecutive season, finishing 17 points clear of challengers Gap Connah’s Quay.
And the letter was sent via email to New Saints chairman Mike Harris yesterday (June 14) on behalf of Marinakis’ Greek club Olympiacos.
It read: “I want to congratulate you on winning the 2016/17 Welsh Premier League.
“A well-deserved accomplishment, brilliantly reached, following a long and hard competitive season.
“I wish you and your club the very best of luck and continued success for the future.”
Received today from Olympiacos
Owner also main man at Nottingham Forest
Latest addition my memorabilia collection: https://t.co/yVc1db4Km8 pic.twitter.com/FP450t2tCG— Stewart Bloor (@TheAnglingRev) June 14, 2017
Stewart Bloor, media and communications officer at the Welsh club, said: “It was a nice gesture that seems to be common practice across Europe congratulating other clubs on winning leagues or cup competitions.
“On a personal level, letters between clubs are to be encouraged so to receive the letter sent on behalf of Olympiacos, and with Mr Marinakis’ links to Nottingham Forest, the more we can be friends with each other to recognise one another is a very credible thing.”
The New Saints last season bettered Ajax’s record of 26 straight wins – a record which stood from 1972 until 2016 when the Dutch giants dominated European football with play maker Johan Cruyff.
Mr Bloor says the club have also received letters of support from German champions Bayern Munich, adding the New Saints replied straight away to Olympiacos’ email.
He added: “We replied immediately. I said ‘thank you very much – it’s very much appreciated. All the very best for the season yourselves’.
“I’m a football fan, I know what’s happening. I’m from Wolverhampton. I’m very much aware of Forest and that they have new owners and new people coming in – you want it to work out.
“I think from a Forest perspective last season was disappointing. I think Forest fans would have been relieved they didn’t get relegated.
“But a new owner has come in and looked to be making the noises the fans like to hear. They’ve got a good manager with a good pedigree [in Mark Warburton].
“I would expect Forest to be up there challenging for a play-off position next season. I think automatic promotion might be a step too far.”
