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Nottingham Forest Ground Name: City
Ground |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground Like? Future 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 2009-2010 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
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The ground from a distance looks quite picturesque sitting on the banks of the River Trent. Both ends have been 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 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. | |
| Future Developments | |
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The Club have announced ambitious plans to move to a new stadium on the outskirts of Nottingham. Peter Walker informs me; 'Outline plans are in place for a new "Sports City" to be built in and around the existing Holme Pierrepont Water Sports facility. The plans are for a 50,000 capacity stadium for the football club, a 10,000 "community stadium" for rugby and athletics, plus a new golf course. However the scheme will probably only see the light if the Football Association are awarded to host the World Cup tournament in 2018'. | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Up 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 informs
me; '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'. Whilst 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. | |
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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. 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 £3 but it is only a two minute walk to the stadium'. 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'. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. | |
| By Train | |
| The ground is walkable from Nottingham railway station (20mins). 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 | |
| Prices of Adult and Senior Citizen
ticket prices will vary with category of game. Also tickets
purchased prior to matchday can cost up to £2
less. Adults £20-£30 Senior Citizens £15-£22 Under 18's: £12 Under 12's: £6 | |
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| Programme & Fanzines | |
| Official Programme
£3.
Blooming Forest Fanzine £1. LTLF Fanzine £1. | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
| Fixtures 2009-2010 | |
| For the Nottingham Forest fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| 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: 2008-2009: 22,299 (Championship League) 2007-2008: 19,956 (League One) 2006-2007: 20,617 (League One) | |
| Fans Reviews Of The City Ground | |
| Mark Stevenson
(Sheffield United) 16/02/10 Andrew Butterworth (Leicester City) 5/12/09 James Baxter (West Bromwich Albion) 15/8/09 Adam New (Derby County) 19/3/03 | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. 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. To access their Nottingham page click here. | |
| Feedback | |
| If anything is
incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail
me and I'll update the guide. | |
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