There will be generations travelling on Sunday that had witnessed the European wave of glory under Brian Clough in the late 70\u2019s, followed by the period of at least one trip a year to Wembley from 1989 up until 1992. For fans growing up in the that second period, it was\u00a0 a norm to have that annual trip to North London.<\/p>\n
But for the past 20 years, fans have been starved of success and supporters of a particular age can only imagine what those glory days felt like. The euphoria from League One promotion in 2008 and surviving Championship relegation on the last day of the season in 2017 have been as close as it has gotten this century before this season\u2019s events. Still, despite their exodus from the top-flight, Forest have still remained a very well supported football club with crowds averaging over 27,000 (second only to Sheffield United in The Championship this campaign).<\/p>\n
‘In my first game here when we were bottom of the league against Millwall, there were 25,000 here. So I was really excited and motivate to go, okay, if the stadiums like this when it’s maybe not having a good moment, just imagine ‘what if’? That sort of day strikes me quite a lot about what is capable here.’ – Steve Cooper<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Former players and supporters from the golden European-era under Brian Clough have commented that the level of backing shown this season has eclipsed even that from such prestigious days in Forest\u2019s history. Jurgen Klopp compared the FA Cup Quarter Final atmosphere at The City Ground to that of a European night at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Forest\u2019s away following has arguably been stronger. In recent seasons, the clubs away membership has sold out given the demand to follow the Reds on the road come rain or shine or bottom of the league by mid-September (as was the case earlier in the season).<\/p>\n
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham Sport in midweek, Forest Chairman Nicholas Randall QC acknowledged support both home and away.<\/p>\n
\u2018The number of times we have out sung home supporters in their own stadium this season has been extraordinary and if you talk to the legends, your Frank\u2019s (Frank Clark) and your Robbo\u2019s (John Robertson) they will say ‘it was never like it’, even when they were winning European Cups.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Steve Cooper effect at The City Ground has been huge and the connection he has formed with the fanbase has not just been through the upturn in results. Building a culture of togetherness (from top to bottom) has very much been at the heart of his blueprint. The Forest fanbase has united the generations that saw in the FA Cup win in 1959 with the younger and hungry supporters, for the first time in decades. The impact of the positivity has reached far and wide.<\/p>\n