When I haven’t written on this site for a while, I very often end up using the excuse that “real life got in the way”. Well it doesn’t get much more real life than the passing of a fellow Red. I cannot attempt to write something as heartfelt or detailed as Rich Crouch’s excellent obituary, but I wanted to write something to say how we feel.

Nigel Doughty was a lot of things: a businessman, a political lobbyist, an active supporter of a number of charities, but mostly, when I think of him, I think of a Forest supporter and a family man.

I was away this weekend, so have missed all the reaction in the local media, until I saw this evening’s East Midlands Today bulletin, in which a Labour politician said something to the effect that, although he will be mostly remembered as the Forest chairman, he should also be remembered for the other hats that he wore.

Therein lies the irony: he never really wanted to be known as the chairman; he took over Nottingham Forest with the intention of saving our famous club from financial oblivion. For many years, he wouldn’t allow his image to be used, as he wanted to continue to sit quietly with his son as “real” fans.

Of course, we all know things haven’t gone well at Forest, but we are just one of a number of clubs who have struggled to come to terms with the changing financial landscape in football, and I am proud that we never used administration to save our bacon in the way that some other clubs have.

Many would argue that, as we pay for our season tickets, matchday programmes, replica kits and the petrol just to get to the matches, we have a right to have a say in how the club is run – actually, the reality of modern football is that we are simply paying customers. Nigel Doughty was in a position to use his personal wealth to try and help out his favourite football club, even in the knowledge that he would be unlikely to see a penny in return.

He has admitted himself on a number of occasions, most notably after the departure of Steve McClaren, that he has got things wrong – the number of managerial appointments is testimony to that. However, I will always think of Nigel Doughty as a fan, who always tried his best. You cannot really ask for much more than that, can you?

So to Nigel, thanks for trying, and sorry that you took so much abuse and hassle from so many people (even in the last week). I will always appreciate that, when my then-housemate and I wrote to you during Joe Kinnear’s tenure, you took the time to reply to us personally to tell us to keep the faith; I appreciate the fact that, despite your wealth, you were not a showy man and you have brought your kids up as true Reds; and mostly I offer my sincere condolences to your wife and children.

I don’t want to end on a sour note, but I will ask you all to remember that, even on social networks, in football phone-ins, and on comments pages and blogs, the person you are talking about may be wealthy, may have a different lifestyle and social circle to you, but is ultimately a human being with feelings. I hate the thought that Nigel Doughty may have passed without realising the respect and appreciation that the vast majority of us (whether football fans, political or business figures, or charity patrons) had for him.

Rest in peace Nigel.

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At sad times like these it is always heart-warming to think that some positive, however small, can come out of tragedy. We would respectfully direct you to Paul Elmore’s fundraising efforts to raise money for Childline, a charity that Nigel Doughty actively supported. At the time of writing, over £1700 had already been raised. Thank you Paul.