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I was more than happy with how 2006 had gone, my first 6 months in charge seeing us end the year top of the league, a substantial lead and looking odds on for promotion. The players were forming a good squad, getting on well, and they were doing the business on the pitch. I was just slightly worried that some of my key players were only on loan, and I had sent Ian McParland, my chief scout, to try and find the availabilty of some of those on loan players.
New Years day brought Chesterfield to the City Ground, a game which I fully expected us to pick up three points in. Lindield's loan had been extended by a further three months, and he started upfront with Vaughan, while Beaumont and Delap started in midfield. By the twenty first minute of the match the game was over, goals from Belmadi and Vaughan a penalty from Padula had secured us the win. We could have been further ahead by half time, Vaughan and Lindfield both missing chances, and in the second half it was much of the same, as we dominated the game. We didn't find a goal until the final minutes, Rory Delap heading home Padula's cross to wrap up a comfortable 4-0 victory.
---
"How are you feeling now?"
I hoped Jo was feeling better, as I wanted to treat her to a night out
"I'm much better now thanks sweetheart. I can go out without worrying" "Good. Well get your coat, 'cos I'm taking you out for a meal" "Why, what's the occasion?" "There isn't one. I just think you deserve it after what you've been through" "OK. Well let me have half an hour to get ready and then we'll go" "Sure. I'll see you in a little while"
..
The night had gone well, we both enjoyed ourselves, and it was nice to relax and not have football on my mind for a change. That soon changed a few days later, as we travelled to Wales for our third round F.A Cup tie with Championship side Cardiff. This was a chance to show that we meant business, and that we could handle ourselves without a problem in the Championship. The Welsh side were mid-table, and I felt that we could beat them if we were at out best. By the ninetieth minute, my theory was blown right out of the window, as we succumbed to a 4-1 defeat. We were two down at half time, goals from Glombard and Bolder, and although we came back much better in the second half, Craig Lindfield's 68th minute header getting us back in the match, two goals in four minutes from Mcphail, with a penalty. and Ferretti three minutes from time secured Cardiff's progression into the fourth round
After such a disappointing game against Cardif,, in which we had let ourselves down, I wanted to make up for it in the league. An away trip to Bournemouth provided a perfect opportunity for us to do that. Once Nathan Tyson had his 17th minute penalty saved by Neil Moss I feared the worst, and on loan striker Hogan Ephraim heightened those fears with his 34th minute strike putting Bournemouth in front. We did manage to go in at the interval in front though, two James Vaughan goals giving us a lead. Danny Cullip powered home our third from a corner, while Vaughan completed his hat-trick on 70 minutes and sealed the points. The home side did pull one back, Ryan Hartslief heading home twelve minutes from time, but we claimed all three points to confirm our place at the top of League One.
--
Joanne had gone to stay with her parents for a week in Oxford, so I was spending quiet nights in with my Only Fools and Horses series and a few lagers. 24 hours before our next League One game, I decided to go down to the ground and do some work. I walked into my office and couldn't believe my eyes. It looked like a tornado had ripped through it. The filing cabinet was tipped over, paper and files scattered all across the room, my desk was on its side. Somebody had obviously been looking for something. First my house, now my office. It was too much of a coincidence to just be two seperated incidents. They were definately connected.
It took me more than three hours to sort the office out, and during that time I established that nothing had been stolen, just like as in the previous incident, and this was what I thought was strange. Why would people break in and not take anything? I had other things to focus on, namely a home game the next day, so I moved my mind onto that. I decided against telling Joanne, as she would only worry, and she didn't need that after what she had been through
..
The home game saw Huddersfield make the trip to Nottingham, another game I expected to win. It looked like we were going to win, James Vaughan's goal right on the stroke of half time looking good enough to win the game, but that was scuppered when Collins equalised a minute from time to earn his side a point. We should have won the game, having had at least 7 clear cut chances, but we had to settle for just the one point rather than all three
Our next League One match was against Northampton, as we returned to one of my old stomping ground of Sixfields. The ovation I got was mixed, some clapping and some booing, but I wasn't overly bothered about whether the crowd liked me or not. I was just focused on winning football matches. This was a game we should have won, as we dominated from first to last, Nathan Tyson missing 5 chances, and Vaughan missing two good ones, but for the second successive game we had to settle for one point rather than three.
We did claim all three points in our next game, when Bradford visited the City goal. One solitary goal was just enough to win the game, Felix Bastians volleying home Belmadi's cross after twenty one minutes. We could have had more, Tyson again missing some good chances, but we held on and claimed the win to establish our lead at the top to fifteen points.
Promotion was looking a certainty at this moment in time, but despite the fact the team were on a terrific run of form I was still wary that nothing was secure yet. We had to get our heads down and work hard, the fans deserve Championship football, and the board want Championship football. I know that we're good enough, but we have to prove it to the rest of the country
During the course of January I had been fervently trying to secure a couple of permanent transfers, particularly some of the loan signings I had brought in who had been really impressive. It took until transfer deadline day, but I finally managed to get two signatures on paper, Ryan Lynch comfirming his £30,000 move from Coventry and Sunderland's Neill Collins moving to the City Ground permanently for £130,000, a signing which I was delighted with, as the Scottish defender had been superb at the heart of defence all season.
Neill and Ryan took their place in the squad for the game against Rotherham as permanent Nottingham Forest players for the first time this season, with Lynch having to take Kris Commons' place when out left winger went off with an injury after half an hour. Nathan Tyson gave us the lead in the twentieth minute, using his pace to break clear of the defence and slotting underneath Neil Cutler. The bottom side were level soon after, on loan Man City striker Ishmael Miller collecting the ball and firing the ball past Pedersen from the edge of the box. James Vaughan put us back in front with a thirty yard shot that flew into the top right hand corner of the Rotherham net. We should have put the game to bed, with Tyson, Clingan and Cullip all missing good chances, and we paid for that after 73 minutes, an equaliser from Taylor earning a point for the home side.
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"I'm going out with the girls tonight Mark. It's Charlotte's birthday so we're going out to celebrate"
Joanne was fully recovered from the attack now, and she felt very comfortable going out. She had spent an extra 3 days at her parents house and she really enjoyed the trip. She was looking happy and refreshed, which made me happy, I hated the thought of her being unhappy
"That's fine Jo. You have a good night. Are you staying out or coming back here?" "I'm not sure yet, it depends on the time we finish. You don't need to wait up for me though" "OK. Well I'll just watch a film and have an early night I think. Gotta be up early" "Sounds good darling. I'll see you later OK?"
---
Jo hadn't come home that night, and by the time I left for the ground that afternoon she still wasn't, so I assumed she was sleeping her hangover off at Charlotte's. I had other things to concentrate on, the main thing being the visit of Cheltenham to the City Ground. It was a game that we controlled with ease and composure, an early goal and a late goal securing the three points. Sammy Clingan opened the scoring after less than two minutes, side-footing home Bastian's cross from 8 yards. Substitute Kris Commons sealed the match in the 81st minute, winning and then converting a penalty to continue our incredible undefeated run alive.
I had got home from the ground to find Jo sitting on the settee, looking worried. I sat next to her and put my arm around her shoulders
"What's wrong Jo? Didn't you have a good time last night?" "Oh no it's nothing like that. I had a good time. It's just...Paul was out last night. I saw him in one of the bars. He came and started talking to me" "What's he doing in Nottingham? I thought he was back in Oxford now?" "He is, he was just down visiting a friend. He was asking about my love life Mark" "What did you tell him? Did you mention me?" "No, I didn't think I should. It would only cause problems. He wanted to meet me, have a chat about divorce proceedings and things" "Go and meet him. Anything that gives him no indication of me and you OK?" "OK. He gave me his number. When should I arrange to meet him?" "It's up to you Jo. Whenever you feel ready to, you do it"
--
"Mark, I've got a gentlemen out here to see you. He said he hasn't made an appointment but it's urgent" "Hmm. OK. Cheers Julie, send them in"
I had no idea who it could be. Urgent. Surely it can't be that urgent that they need to see me in my office
"Hello Mark. Long time no see" "Paul? What do you want?"
What the bloody hell was he doing here? And why did he need two 6'4, 18 stone bodyguards with him?
"Now come on Mark, I've come all this way to see you and thats how you greet me?" "Yeah well, you're forgetting I know you too well. What are you doing back here?" "Came to find Joanne. Need to sort a few things out with her. So you're managing Forest now then eh?" "Yes. Don't feed me all this bullshit Paul, just tell me what you want" "Just two hours of your time. Tomorrow night. I need to have a chat, discuss some business" "Right. And if I say no?" "Will, show the man what will happen?"
The white bodyguard suddenly lurched forward, grabbing me out of my seat. He held me up while his companion threw four or five punches to my ribs
"As you see, no is not an option Mark" "Right. Fine. Where and when?" "Eight o'clock. Meet me in that alley behind Tonto's cafe, just off the Trent road" "I know it. Fine. I'll see you there" "Good boy Mark. I always knew you were sensible. Gentlemen, lets leave the man to his work"
--
With my meeting with Paul on my mind, I could barely focus on our game with Yeovil, so much so that our 4-0 win didn't register. Nathan Tyson's goals just after half time and in the final minute, coupled with goals from Vaughan and a Simpson own goal were enough to give us three points, but as I drove back to Nottingham i pondered in my mind what Paul could possibly want from me
"Mark. So good to see you. Now, lets get straight into it"
I didn't want to be there. I could have done without it, but I know what he can do. He's got influence. I had to go there. Plus the fact my ribs are bloody sore
"Now, I believe your doing rather well in your new career?" "Well, not doing too badly. What's that got to do with anything though?" "Nothing. Just interested. How's the family?" "You know full well. I haven't got one. What bout you?" "Oh I think you know Mark. Considering you're living with my wife" "Eh? What do you..." "You know. Now, just shut up, and listen to what I've got to say. Elvis, make sure he listens"
Paul's Jamaican bodyguard pinned me against the wall, so hard that I couldn't move
"Now, I know it was you that she had an affair with all those years ago. For that, I want revenge. I know your address, and if you don't co=operate, I will make sure that Joanne's blood is on your hands...literally. I want you to stop seeing her. If you get promotion to the Championship, which is looking likely, you have to get relegated. Or stay in the Championship. If Nottingham Forest make it to the Premiership with you in charge, that means I lose a lot of money..."
"Paul, you know I can't do that" "Mark you dissapoint me. I thought that you would co-operate. Elvis, please show him his fate"
More punches came into my ribs, knocking the wind out of me
"Now. I won't expect you to answer, but I will be coming to visit you soon. Good luck with promotion. Come on fellas"
I started to pull myself up when Paul turned round to face me. As I looked up at him, he swung his right foot into my already tender ribs
"And give Joanne my love"
Bastard. I dragged my battered and bruised body to the car, debating whether to go to the hospital or not. In the end, I decided against it, and went home to Joanne, deciding not to tell her about my meeting, and also to hide my pain from her. I needed to think of a way out of this situation. I couldn't put her through any more than what she already has. I have to keep it from her
I had to put my bruised ribs and troubles with Paul to the back of my mind as we travelled to Glanford Park to face our fellow promotion contenders Scunthorpe. Twenty minutes into the match, it looked like we were heading for defeat, goals from Winn and Taylor putting the home side two goals ahead. We did pull one back before the interval, Craig Lindfield heading home, and the side got a real bollocking off me. It worked a treat, as we dominated the second half, but we only had the one goal to show for our efforts, on loan striker James Vaughan's 55th minute equaliser earning us a point and keepin us well clear in the league.
Four days later, Millwall made the trip to Nottingham, and yet again we only got a point. This time though, we were the side two goals clear, Scott Dobie and James Vaughan sending us in at the break two in front. Spackman's side came out with a bang in the second half, Chris Zebroski and Poul Hubertz scoring within 8 minutes of each other to earn Millwall a point and keep them in the play-off hunt. I was disappointed to lose two points, but I couldn't be too down heartened with the result. A point is always better than two, and it still kept us on course for promotion
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