Nigel Doughty, who saved and financed Nottingham Forest, found dead

Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty was found dead at his home (Getty Images)

Nigel Doughty, the Nottingham Forest owner, was found dead at his home yesterday. He was 54.

"It is with enormous sadness that Nottingham Forest announce the death of the club's owner Nigel Doughty," the club said in a statement. "Mr Doughty was found dead earlier today in his gym at his home in Skillington, Lincolnshire. The club will be making no further comment."

A life-long Forest fan Doughty stepped down as chairman in October after a decade in the job following the sacking of the former England manager Steve McClaren. He was replaced as chairman by the former Forest player and manager, Frank Clark.

Doughty, who saved Forest from administration when he bought the club for £11million in 1999, has invested almost £100m of his personal fortune in the club, but they currently languish one place off the bottom of the Championship.

Today they are due to renew their fierce Midlands rivalry with Derby County at Pride Park.