Nottingham Forest fans descend to Wembley with a reputation to uphold

Nottingham Forest travel to Wembley this weekend looking to end their 23-year hiatus from the Premier League.  Waiting for this weekend’s trip to the home of English football, Forest’s first to the new site has been an eventful experience given the excitement, demand and anticipation for Sunday’s kick off.

There will be generations travelling on Sunday that had witnessed the European wave of glory under Brian Clough in the late 70’s, 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  a norm to have that annual trip to North London.

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’s 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).

‘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

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’s history. Jurgen Klopp compared the FA Cup Quarter Final atmosphere at The City Ground to that of a European night at Anfield.

Forest’s 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).

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham Sport in midweek, Forest Chairman Nicholas Randall QC acknowledged support both home and away.

‘The 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’s (Frank Clark) and your Robbo’s (John Robertson) they will say ‘it was never like it’, even when they were winning European Cups.’

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.

I’ve been debating whether or not to post this on Twitter. I wrote this as soon as I got home after the Sheffield United game, but never has the confidence to actually post to the club. ✉️

Thank you for everything this season, @NFFC. See you on Sunday. ❤️#NFFC ? pic.twitter.com/02itgTNiPJ

— Tom Home (@_TomHome) May 27, 2022

After an exhausting two legs against Sheffield United in the playoff semis, Forest navigated their way through the emotional roller coaster that at one stage, had threatened to be derailed. As the Blades brought the tie level and Forest stuttering under the circumstances, the crowd understood once more this season, the significance of their part in proceedings.

In years gone by, the City Ground crowd may well have crumbled given that for a large period of the second leg, many were living on their nerves and reliving previous PTSD experiences of Yeovil and Blackpool play off defeats on home soil.

There was however, something different about that evening a week last Tuesday. Fans that had become frustrated and agitated with each other embraced, and at one point in the second half of extra time, all four stands sang ‘Forest are magic, on and off the pitch’ in union and at full decibel, which helped lift and inspire the players to victory.

"Samba Samba Samba…" I and we really want to thank all the fans, through the difficulty we did it all together tonight. The strength you gave me. I'll never forget that ❤️ One last step, we have conquered and we will conquer ?? #dreamcometrue #godisgreat pic.twitter.com/YLKlzscsz4

— Brice Samba (@samba_brice) May 17, 2022

Supporter behaviour has rarely been an issue over the years at Forest. Travelling up and down the country, incidents have been minimal but with the miraculous upturn in fortunes this season, there has been a greater demand to watch Forest at home and away that has created some issues.

Inevitably, with the increase in numbers coming through the gates, the chance of incident rises. During their 1-0 win at Peterborough United, away fans parading a Forest flag in the home stand were inevitably met with hostility that ended in a brawl in front of families. To avoid similar scenarios at Hull City, extra measures were put in place to prevent away fans getting into the home end.

‘This season, we have seen the return of fans post Covid and this has brought its own challenges with it. Nationally we have seen an increase in football related incidents and poor behaviour but thankfully, not so much with Forest.’ – PC Simon Travell – Dedicated Football Officer Notts Police Football Unit with responsibility for NFFC.

Following Brice Samba’s heroics in the semi-final penalty shootout against Sheffield United, the evening was sadly marred by the behaviour of a home supporter that resulted in former Forest striker Billy Sharp being headbutted on the pitch at the final whistle as fans invaded the pitch.

Whilst a 33-year-old man was swiftly brought to justice and sentenced for 24 weeks by the end of the week, most impressively, Forest fans rallied together in support of a player that was held in high regard during his season-long loan spell from Southampton in 2012.

‘I sat through the pitch invasion at Forest when Billy Sharp was the victim of a cowardly attack that no doubt the perpetrator is thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed of. But that’s too little too late I’m afraid. It ruined what should have been an opportunity for all involved to celebrate us finally breaking our play off hoodoo and allowing the players to say thank you for our support accompanied by the now traditional sound of Depeche Mode (RIP Andy Fletcher) ) – Jeff Glover, Nottingham Forest Supporter

A raft of apologetic messages on social media from the Forest fanbase followed which was not lost on Sharp as he issued a statement on the incident the following morning: ‘As ex Forest player, I will not let one scumbag ruin my respect for the Forest fans’.

One supporter, Zoe Potts felt so compelled to act following the incident that she started a Just Giving page for Sharp’s choice of charity by means of trying to make amends. With an initial target of £500, fans donated in their droves to raise just shy of £16,000 in a fantastic showing of generosity and support.

Given the number of unsavoury events as fans invaded pitches across the country as the season climaxed, the incident at Forest was symptomatic of a new fan culture where approaching players and staff appears off limits.

With their biggest game in years approaching this current Sunday, the message from police to supporters was to enjoy the weekend but be considerate of others.

‘As we look forward to the weekend, we have been involved in the planning process with The Met Police as well as Brent Council and Wembley itself. Key messaging is that we hope fans have an amazing weekend which will last a lifetime – especially for those younger fans who will be experiencing Wembley for the first time.

‘We have been asked to remind fans that there is no street drinking as this has caused issues for residents living nearby as well as increasing Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). Pyros always cause a debate and can be very dangerous as they cause breathing issues and can be a catalyst for further ASB.‘

‘Warnings over – We are really looking forward to the weekend. Forest fans certainly know how to get behind their team and the atmosphere will be fantastic.’ – PC Simon Travell

Come 4.30 on Sunday afternoon, a 36,000 strong following will be present at Wembley with one full focus; to see Nottingham Forest back in the Premier League.

‘I feel so grateful to be able to see my team play the biggest game in my lifetime at Wembley. At the start of the season, I was losing my passion for the game but once Steve Cooper came in; this has probably been the best season I’ve ever seen. The team have worked so hard to get to this point and I’m proud regardless. I can’t wait to hear Mull of Kintyre tomorrow, it gives me goose bumps.’ – Stella Clarke – Nottingham Forest supporter

Given the success and the high-profile games that have ensued this season, Forest have rightly attracted national media attention for performances on the pitch. With a worldwide audience tuning into watch football’s most financial lucrative fixture, supporters also have the opportunity to show the magic of Nottingham Forest off the pitch once more.

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