The Brian Clough Stand Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

As is often the case with football clubs, Forest were founded at a meeting in a pub - in this case in the Clinton Arms in 1865. This makes them one of the oldest football clubs in the World, though not as old as Notts County who date back to 1862. Their first official match for which a record exists was against County in 1866. They first entered the F.A. Cup in 1879, a year after Notts County, and were to win it in 1898, and again in 1959. When the Football League was formed in 1888 Nottingham Forest applied but, rather surprisingly, were not one of the twelve clubs given a place. Notts County were. They failed again to get in when the league was expanded to fourteen clubs in 1891, but did make it the following year, when the Second Division was formed, fortunate enough to jump straight into a further expanded Division One, now up to sixteen clubs.

In 1897, after years of a nomadic existence around Nottingham, the club moved to a new site which was to become The City Ground. They have been there ever since.

Their initial years in Division One seemed promising, and although relegated in 1905-06 they bounced straight back as Second Division Champions the following season. However when relegated again in 1910-11 there was no immediate return, and by 1913-14 they were seeking re-election. In the final campaign of 1914-15, before the Football League shut down for the remainder of the War, Forest came close to folding, only surviving through the League itself paying some of their bills on a weekly basis. Given this, it was not too surprising that their bid to begin in Division One after hostilities had ended received a rather derisory three votes. They thus started the first post-War season of 1919-20 in Division Two.

After two poor seasons Forest were Division Two Champions again in 1921-22. They hung on near the foot of the First Division for two seasons, but the third proved too much and they were down again. And there they stayed in the Second Division, from 1925 through to 1949, when, after a series of flirtations with further relegation, they did indeed drop into Division Three South.

It took two seasons, but they were back, and as Champions, into the second tier by 1951 and in the 1956-57 season were runners-up to Leicester City and up to the top flight again. Billy Walker capped his twenty-one years as Forest manager with their second F.A. Cup in 1959, and then retired.

The Main Stand Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

A series of generally mediocre seasons in Division One followed until 1966-67, when Forest came their closest to that point to winning the title, finishing runners-up to Manchester United. They were also beaten semi-finalists in the F.A. Cup. But that was as good as it got, with a series of lower table finishes until relegated in 1971-72. They were then down at the lower end of Division Two until enter one Brian Howard Clough.

The Reds were heading back down to Division Two as Clough took his leave from the City Ground in 1993. One of his former Forest players, Frank Clark, took on the seemingly unenviable task of 'following' Cloughie, and brought them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, runners-up to Crystal Palace. They finished third in the Premiership in that season of 1994-95, but couldn't sustain those heights. Relegated in last place in 1996-97, a season that saw Clark pay the price, they were back up again as Champions the next campaign, only to finish bottom of the Premier League once again. Meanwhile off the pitch Forest were in financial crisis, into administration for a period, and then taken over by a consortium. This time there was no way back. There were five increasingly depressing seasons at the second level, and then the sixth, 2004-05, saw them relegated to the third level for only the second time in their history. Nottingham Forest in League One (Division Three in old money)? Hardly seems real for those of us who watched the European Cup triumphs of 1979 and 1980. Most commentators and the bookies had Forest as hot favourites to go straight back up as Champions. They made a poor start, though once theyd got rid of the lugubrious Gary Megson the City Ground seemed a happier place and Forest made a late dash for the play-offs, eventually just missing out in seventh place.

The Bridgford Stand - the lower tier is the away section Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Ah and onto the 2006-07 season. Forest fans might want to look away now. At one point Forest looked as though they were heading for automatic promotion, but some stuttering form in the second part of the season consigned themselves to the play-offs. That paired them up with the little known pub team known as Yeovil Town.

Winning the first leg at Huish Park 2-0, Forest merely had to just turn up at the City Ground to book their place at Wembley didn't they? In fact that was precisely what many of their fans had already done - we're told that anyone wanting a National Express coach space down to London later that month would have struggled to get one. On our way to the City Ground, we passed street sellers selling "Forest at Wembley" t-shirts and flags. Hey, why were Yeovil fans and players even bothering to turn up? Perhaps because they BELIEVED. With eight minutes of normal time remaining, those National Express tickets and Wembley t-shirts were still looking good value. However, two legendary goals (thank you Forest defender Alan Wright) in five immortal minutes (thank you Marcus Stewart) heard the Sky Sports commentators cry "they've ... they've only gone and done it!" and in extra time Forest fell apart, with David Prutton's red card, and Wes Morgan's gift to Lee Morris - two of manager Colin Calderwood's backfiring substitutions - saw those Wembley t-shirts consigned to the back of the sock drawer and some rather empty rattling coaches going down the M1 two weeks later. The 5-2 final scoreline surely ranks as Yeovil Town's greatest match ever?

Not that such performances went unnoticed. Arron Davies and Chris Cohen, two of the thorns in Forest's side, were signed up by Calderwood for the start of the 2007-08 season, proving that money really does talk. Perhaps surprisingly, such ability to splash the cash has not really significantly improved Forest's position and once again they face their grand nemesis Yeovil Town as they play a crunch match that will either see them promoted automatically right at the death, or will see them consigned to the torture of the play-offs again. Will lightning strike twice?

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RECENT RESULTS

05/04/2008	Cheltenham Town	Home	CCL1	W	3-1	19860		Agogo 26, 47, Chambers 45
08/04/2008	Bristol Rovers	Home	CCL1	D	1-1	15860		McGugan 33
12/04/2008	Tranmere Rovers	Away	CCL1	W	2-0	8689		Tyson 34, Morgan 51
19/04/2008	Luton Town	Home	CCL1	W	1-0	17331		Tyson 67
26/04/2008	Hartlepool United	Away	CCL1	W	1-0	5206		McGugan 84
03/05/2008	Yeovil Town	Home	CCL1	W	3-2	28520		Bennett 12, Commons 18, McGugan 28

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Junior Agogo	13	0	0	0	0	13
Nathan Tyson	9	0	0	0	0	9
Kris Commons	9	0	0	0	0	9
Lewis McGugan	6	0	0	0	0	6
Luke Chambers	6	0	0	0	0	6
Julian Bennett	4	0	0	0	0	4
Grant Holt	3	0	0	0	0	3
Brett Ormerod	2	0	0	0	0	2
Matt Thornhill	2	0	0	0	0	2
Chris Cohen	2	0	0	0	0	2
Wes Morgan	1	0	0	0	0	1
Emile Sinclair	1	0	0	0	0	1
Sammy Clingan	1	0	0	0	0	1
Arron Davies	1	0	0	0	0	1
Ian Breckin	1	0	0	0	0	1
Garath McCleary	1	0	0	0	0	1
Own Goals	2	0	0	0	0	2

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 28520, vs Yeovil Town, 03/05/2008
Lowest League Attendance: 6330, vs Gillingham, 22/09/2007
Average League Attendance: 19521

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	0		Games Without Defeat:	7
Games Without A Home Defeat:	6		Games Without An Away Defeat:	3
Games Without A Draw:	4		Games Without A Score Draw:	4
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	8		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:	DDWDWW
Away Results Sequence:	DWLWWW		Overall Results Sequence:	WDWWWW

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The City Ground from across the River Trent Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Parking prohibitions are in force on match days around the ground. Nottingham City Council operates a paying car park 15-20 minutes walk away on Victoria Embankment. Access is to this car park is via the Clifton Bridge complex (A52 ring road and then the A453) to Queens Drive and then Riverside Way.
South of the river in West Bridgford it is permitted to park in the side streets; however, it should be noted that this parking is in short supply and football fans leaving their cars is unpopular with residents.

There are a number of places to park on the opposite side of the Trent, including The Cattle Market, which was £2.50 as we recall on the visit to Notts County several seasons ago. It's right by Meadow Lane.

The Trent End - the stand in the previous shot from inside the stadium. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

By Rail

Nottingham is served by three train companies : Midland Mainline, Central Trains and Virgin Trains. London trains for Nottingham leave from St. Pancras and Kings Cross. There are a couple of direct trains an hour, with a journey time of about an hour and three-quarters. Alternatively there are services with a change at Leicester.
Journey time across from Birmingham New Street is about one hour fifteen minutes.

Nottingham Railway Station is situated close to the city centre, about a mile from the ground. It is a relatively uncomplicated 15 minute walk to the City Ground. Leave the railway station by the main entrance/exit and turn to your left. At the corner of the station turn left again into Queens Road and follow this to the T-junction with London Road. Turn right here and follow this road, passing Meadow Lane on your left, towards the river and Trent Bridge. By this time you will be able to see the City Ground across the river to your left.

By Air

If anyone fancies flying, East Midland Airport is about fifteen miles from the City Ground.

By Bus

Buses No.6 through to No.11 all run from the city centre close to Trent Bridge. No.6 is the most frequent. Collin Street, just up from the Broadmarsh Centre, or Carrington Street, between the Broadmarsh and the train station, are the easiest locations to find and pick up a bus in the centre.

By Taxi

A selection of Nottingham taxi companies can be found here.

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Close to the stadium Radcliffe Road is the best area for fast food outlets, with the usual range to choose from.

Club Bar :

There's the usual football stadium catering inside. Alcohol is available inside the ground, and the away area has a concourse bar - usual limited range of keg.

Local Pubs :

Down on the river bank © Hugh Gleave Casa Bar & Restaurant: Rather bland middle-of-the-road outlet that does most things you could want, and does them moderately well. Nice location on the embankment down by the Trent, with a large patio for good weather. The YTISA crew that descended there on the County trip seemed to like it. About five or so minutes walk to the away ends of both grounds. Casa Bar & Restaurant, Arkwright Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 2GS. Tel: 0115 9852287. Map: Click Here.

Closest pub to the away end - the Meadow Lane away end. © Hugh Gleave Cattle Market Tavern: One of the closest pubs to Meadow Lane, just a few yards to the North, off the A6011, which is convenient for the away end. However so near to the ground it's crowded with home fans on matchdays, as well as people at the market. Might be useful if you are using that car park on a trip to the City Ground, as Notts County will by definition be away and it'll be quieter. Right in the middle of the former Cattle Market, which is now a general market, work shops and pay & display car park all thrown together. Cheery chaos sums the whole mixture up. Cattle Market Tavern, Cattle Market Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 3GY. Tel: 0115 9862679. Map: Click Here.

Home fan orientated © Hugh Gleave Globe: A few minutes walk from either ground, between the canal and the river. Completely refurbished in 2001; originally called The Greyhound, and briefly DC's Bar. Opening was 11-11, with reasonably priced food served from 12.00 - 8.00 p.m. Five or six real ales are usually available, with a concentration on local breweries. Also stocked a cider when visited last. Has a TV and big screen. 'Strictly No Children' notice on the door when we called in. Own parking. A couple of passing locals opined that as away fans we should steer clear; however although the bunting was hardly put out it didn't feel hostile either when we ignored the warning and ventured in. Globe, 152, London Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 3BQ. Tel: 0115 9866881. Map: Click Here.

Lots of waitresses with their assets up front © Hugh Gleave Hooters: Just off the A60 between the station and the grounds. A bar/restaurant with er, special attractions in the waitress service......... the clue is in the name. Of course the product may not be exactly as portrayed on the label the day you visit, but life's a bitch. Don't expect a family atmosphere though. Food and drink is in the American style. Five minutes or so walk from the Meadow Lane, ten or so from the City Ground. Opening was 12.00 - 12.00 Mondays - Thursdays, and 11.30 a.m. - 2.00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays - no idea if that still holds as their website concentrates on other er, points rather than possibly useful bits of info like opening times. Moved to the new building shown - just across the road from the previous site if you went pre-2006 Hooters, Hicking Building, Great Northern Close, London Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 3AS. Tel: 0115 9588111. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Larwood & Voce Tavern: One of the closest pubs to the away end - a few minutes walk and on the side of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground - and one promoted as 'the away fans pub', though you may find some home supporters in there too. Larwood & Voce Tavern, Fox Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 6AJ. Tel: 0115 9810392. Map: Click Here.

Stratford Haven: Bit further from the away end than the Larwood & Voce (above). Home and away fans mix well here, and it does a good range of beer and food. Stratford Haven, 2, Stratford Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 6BA. Tel: 0115 9825981. Map: Click Here.

One of our favourite pubs on the L1 circuit - great beer © Hugh Gleave Vat & Fiddle: A couple of hundred yards from the railway station, and 0.8 of a mile from Meadow Lane, and something over the mile to the City Ground. Next door to Tynemill's Castle Rock Brewery, it serves their ales, and guests, and German and Belgian beers - anything up to ten different ones in total at a time. A cider or two also usually available. There are seventy malt whiskies stocked. Food was very basic the four times we've been: chilli on one occasion, and a range of filled rolls on the other three. Food was billed as 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m., but they may or may not do something in the evening too - depends if the staff turn up. Pub opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (and midnight on Friday and Saturday). The beer was absolutely top notch - kept and served perfectly. Seems to quietly allow children, certainly at lunchtime, though this does run counter to pretty much all the other Tynemill pubs we've come across previously, which have had a 'no children' policy. Has TV. The building work scheduled in 2006 was over by our last visit. Completely unpretentious and not much to look at outside or in, but if you like good beer this is the pub to head for. Vat & Fiddle, 12-14, Queen's Bridge Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 1NB. Tel: 0115 9850611. Fax: 985 1615. Map: Click Here.

Oldest pub in England - it claims © Hugh Gleave Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem: Although a good walk from the stadiums - just under and just over the mile and a half - this has to get a mention. It is claimed as the oldest continuously used site for an inn in England, dating from 1189. The pub is a warren of small rooms, with the oldest parts cut into the rock beneath the castle. The current building itself dates from 1660. Local brewers Hardys & Hansons own the inn and so dominate its selection of beers, with their Kimberley Bitter, Kimberley Mild and Olde Trip as regulars. They do a wide selection of seasonal ale. A special brew, William Clarke Strong Ale, is sold only here and in one other pub in the country. The menu is fairly extensive, but rather what one expects of pubs of this ilk these days - Nachos, Cajun, Lasagne, Chicken Tikka Masala, Gammon, Steak, BBQ Chicken, various Burgers etc. - i.e. plenty of choice, but all rather unadventurous pub cuisine. There are children's options, and they are welcome up to early evening (6.00 p.m.) whilst food is still being served. Opening is 10.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 midnight Thursday - Saturday, 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Sunday. Only around five minutes walk from Nottingham Railway Station for those arriving by train. Attractive courtyard to sit in in good weather. Very touristy, as one would expect. Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, 1, Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 6AD. Tel: 0115 9473171. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

A pretty cosmopolitan city, Nottingham. However, when out after dark, don't expect to be understood if you're over about 22.

Top-Tip :

Try not to wax lyrical about how the May 2007 match was the greatest night of football EVER. Some of the locals may hold an alternative opinion - unless they are County fans of course.

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