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Nottingham
Forest
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Nottingham
Forest
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| Contents | |
| What's
The City Ground Like? Future Ground Developments Situated On The Banks Of The River Trent (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? The Trent End & Brian Clough Stand (photo) Where To Drink? The Brian Clough & Bridgford Stands (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train Main Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Ground Layout Programme & Fanzines Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2012-2013 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation City Ground Location Map |
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| What's The City Ground Like? | |
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The ground from a distance looks quite picturesque sitting on the banks of the River Trent. Both ends were re-developed during the 1990's, much improving the overall appearance. At one end, the Bridgford Stand houses away fans in the lower tier; it is odd because one third of this stand was built lower then the rest, due to a local Council planning requirement to allow sunlight through to the houses in nearby Colwick Road. Opposite, the Trent End, is the most recent addition to the ground. It is a large two tiered stand that looks quite smart. One unusual feature of the stand, is that running across the middle are a number of rows of seating enclosed within a covered shaded glass area. On one side there is a similarly impressive two tiered stand, with executive boxes in between, which was built in 1980. Once called the Executive Stand, it was recently renamed the Brian Clough Stand in honour of their greatest manager. Facing this is a smaller and much older Main Stand (built in the mid 1960's) that now looks quite tired in the company of its shiny new neighbours. In the City Centre in the old Market Square is a bronze statue of the legendary Brian Clough. |
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| Future Ground Developments | |
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With the failure of the England World Cup bid, plans for a new stadium have been shelved for the time being. The Club may now concentrate instead on re-developing the older Main Stand side of the ground, however nothing is likely to happen on this front, until Forest are successful in gaining promotion back to the Premier League. |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
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to 4,750 away fans can be accommodated in the lower
tier of the Bridgford Stand, where the facilities and
view of the action are good. I
personally did not have any problems at the City
Ground, but I have heard of away fans getting some
hassle; for example it has not been
unknown for the odd object to be thrown down on away
fans from so called Forest fans seated above.
Don't be surprised also if the stewards keep asking
you to sit down if you stand in the seated areas, which can get annoying. There are also an element of Forest
supporters in the 'A' Block of the Main Stand
nearest to the away supporters, who feel it is their
duty to continually berate away fans during the
game, which can be unsavoury. It is also advised to
keep colours covered around the ground, especially
if you support another Midlands team. The
good news though is that away fans can really make
some noise from this stand, so make the most of
it! Chris Powell a visiting West Brom fan adds; 'On my last visit a number of West Brom fans were thrown out of the grounds by stewards for not sitting down. From what I could see they gave just one chance to sit down and if you didn't you were out. What was even more annoying is that fans in the home section were allowed to stand without interference.' |
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| Where To Drink? | |
| Nearly all pubs near to the ground
are for home fans
only. Audrey MacDonald a visiting Hartlepool fan
informs me; 'After trying to no avail to find a pub
near to the ground that would allow in away fans,
the Police directed us to the Meadow Club which is
the Notts County Supporters Club. The Club was okay
but a bit short on bar staff'. Carl Fitzpatrick
a visiting Coventry City fan adds; 'Very near to the
ground on the banks of the River Trent, we came
across the Nottingham Rowing Club,
which displayed a banner outside saying
that away fans were welcome. They charged
£1 entry and the beer was good and very
reasonable, plus the Forest fans that we met inside
were chatty and friendly.' Simon Phillips recommends the Stratford Haven, just down the road from the Larwood & Voce, 'it has great beer and food, it bustles and is used by both home and away fans'. This pub is located in a largely residential area where there is street parking available, if you arrive early. Tim Cooke a travelling Millwall fan has a different angle (so to speak); 'definitely one for the lads! Hooters (on the main road A6011, on the outskirts of the city centre, you can't miss it!) has very nice waitresses wearing just enough to cover things up, serves lovely beer, and great food. Take my advice, make a weekend of it, Nottingham is a top city!' Otherwise, alcohol is available inside the ground, including Fosters, John Smiths & Guinness. If you are arriving by train and have a bit of time on your hands, then I would suggest that you check out the ‘Olde Trip To Jerusalem’. This historic pub dates back to the 12th century and some of the rooms are ‘cave like’ having been carved out of the rock that Nottingham Castle is situated upon. Add real ale, food and a small beer garden, then it is certainly worth a visit. It is about a five minute walk away from the train station. As you come out of the station turn right. At the top of the road turn left and then take the second right into Castle Road. Just tucked away on the left is the pub. There is also the Waterfront complex of bars (including a Wetherspoons outlet) which is a short walk from the train station. As you come out of the station turn right and cross over to the other side of the road (As you cross the bridge going over the canal you can see the complex). At the top of the road turn left and the Waterfront complex is just down on the left, located behind the buildings on the main road. I have received reports of fans getting some hassle in pubs near to the station, so use your discretion and keep colours covered. Adrian Taylor a visiting Birmingham City fan adds; 'If travelling by train, then there are numerous pubs with character in and around the city centre including the Olde Trip To Jerusalem, The Castle (in Castle Street), Salutation Inn (on Hounds Gate), and my favourite, The Round House (in Royal Standard Place)'. Another pub worthy of mention is the Canal House; It is housed in a listed building, serving Castle Rock beers and it even has part of canal inlet running through the inside of the pub! |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
| From The North: Leave the M1 at Junction 26 and take the A610 towards Nottingham and then signs for Melton Mowbray. Cross the River Trent and you will see the ground on your left. Alternatively as you approach Nottingham on the A610 you will pick up signs for 'football traffic'. Although following these seems to take you all round the outskirts of Nottingham you do eventually end up at the City Ground, along the A6011. From The South: Leave the M1 at Junction 24 and take the A453 towards Nottingham. Then take the A52 East towards Grantham and then onto the A6011 into Nottingham. The ground is situated by the A6011. Rowland Lee informs me; 'There is an alternative route to the ground from the South; Leave the M1 at Junction 21a (Leicester East) and follow the A46 dual carriageway towards Newark. After around 20 miles take the A606 towards Nottingham. At the first roundabout that is the junction with the A52, take the 4th exit onto the A52, signposted towards Grantham. At the next roundabout turn left onto the A6011 towards Nottingham. The ground is about a mile down this road. Chris Parkes adds; ' I would suggest to any away fans visiting the City Ground by car, that they head for the M1 via Junction 25 when leaving after the game. Follow the A52 (Derby) signs and join the motorway at J25 . This applies to fans who are heading either North or South on the M1 . Although the route planners and Sat Navs say head for M1 Junction 24 , the A453 is notoriously bad for traffic and it can take up to an hour to get to Junction 24 . Although a slightly longer journey, when travelling south, getting to Junction 25 will take 20 minutes at the most and it is only five minutes down to Junction 24 once on the motorway'. There is a large car park at the ground, otherwise there is some street parking to be had, especially in the roads near to the Meadow Lane ground across the river. Steve Barratt informs me; 'regarding the parking at Forest, the council operate a car park on match days on the Victoria Embankment, located near to the cricket ground. They charge £5 but it is only a two minute walk to the stadium'. The council also provide parking at their Eastcroft depot (NG2 3AH) at £4 a car. The depot is a ten minute walk from the City Ground, located just off London Road (A60), opposite Hooters. The entrance is signposted with banners and is manned by security guards throughout the match. Gerry Toms adds 'bear in mind that as the one end of the ground backs onto the River Trent, you cannot drive around it, so it is probably best to park at first available opportunity, or you may find yourself crossing the River Trent and having to comeback on yourself again'. Map showing the location of the City Ground (at the bottom of this page). |
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| By Train | |
| Nottingham railway station is located one mile from the City Ground and takes around 20 minutes to walk. As you come out of the main station entrance, turn left and then left again. Follow the road down to the dual carriageway and then turn right. The ground is about 3/4's of a mile down the dual carriageway on the left, just over Trent Bridge. | |
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| Local Rivals | |
| Derby County & Leicester City. | |
| Admission Prices | |
| Like a number
of clubs, Nottingham Forest have a category system
(A & B) whereby the more popular league games
cost more to watch. Category A prices are shown
below with Category B prices in brackets. All areas of the stadium (except the Family area)* Adults £30 (B £25) Over 65's £22 (B £18) Under 18's £16 (B £12) Under 12's £8 (B £6) Family area: Adults £25 (B £20) Over 65's £20 (B £15) Under 18's £14 (B £10) Under 12's £7 (B £5) These prices are for tickets purchased in advance of matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game can cost up to £2 more. |
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| Programme & Fanzines | |
| Official
Programme £3. Blooming Forest Fanzine £1. LTLF Fanzine £1. |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. | |
| Fixtures 2012-2013 | |
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Nottingham Forest FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website) |
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| Record & Average Attendance | |
| Record
Attendance: 49,946 v Manchester United Division One, October 28th, 1967. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 30,025 v Manchester United Premier League, February 6th, 1999. Average Attendance: 2010-2011: 23,275 (Championship League) 2009-2010: 23,831 (Championship League) 2008-2009: 22,299 (Championship League) |
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| Fans Reviews Of The City Ground | |
| Dominic
Bickerton (Doing The 92) 28/4/12 Neil Harding (Hull City) 5/03/11 Josh Grainger (Leeds United) 15/08/10 Mark Stevenson (Sheffield United) 16/02/10 Andrew Butterworth (Leicester City) 5/12/09 James Baxter (West Bromwich Albion) 15/8/09 |
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| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel
accommodation in the area then first try a hotel
booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all
types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets
from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast
establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced
Apartments. Plus their booking system is
straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will
earn a small commission if you book through them, but
it will go to help with the running costs of keeping
the Guide going. The Hotels listing also includes
details of how far away the accommodation is located
from the football ground. Access their Nottingham Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. |
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| Map Showing the location of the City Ground, Railway Station and listed Pubs | |
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Instructions for using
the map:
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| Feedback | |
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If anything is
incorrect or you have something to add, please
e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net and I'll update the
guide. |
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