"The City Ground"

The City Ground, home to Nottingham Forest football club. A club steeped in history and tradition, tremendous success throughout the late 70s, 80s and relative success in the 90s led to Nottingham Forest becoming a household name in World football. The legacy of the old big ed, Brian Clough still lives on in Nottingham, his witty remarks, hilarious interviews and his down to earth management style is still the benchmark at Forest.

As a Nottingham Forest supporter I will try to write an unbiased review on the Ground.

Location

The Ground is very straightforward to get to and is easily recognisable by its picturesque setting on the banks of the river Trent.

From the North:
If you leave the M1 at Junction 26 and take the A610 towards Nottingham look for signs for Melton Mowbray. Cross the River Trent and you will see the ground on your left. Or as you approach Nottingham on the A610 you will see signs for 'football traffic'. These signs do seem to take you around the outskirts of the City you do eventually arrive at your destination (much like a dodgy sat - nav).

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.

Parking:
There is little street parking and it is advised you arrive early to take advantage of this parking, alternatively there is a large car park behind the ground (Brian Clough stand) which is available. Should the first two options fail the local Council charge you around £3 to park in the county council building near the ground. Otherwise park in the city centre and there are plenty of buses that run past the City Ground on there routes including the NCT 1, 2, 3 services to Clifton.

Train:
The Ground is easily walkable from Nottingham Station, exit the train station by the main exit/entrance and turn left then left again. Continue towards the Hooters at the end of the road take a right, continue down this road and the ground is on your left as you cross Trent bridge.

View

Away fans are housed in the Bridgeford lower tier where up to 5,000 away fans can be accommodated, views from this stand are really good with no hindrance of your view. The Brian Clough stand is the tall double tier stand named after the Clubs greatest manager, the view from this stand is excellent and gets particularly better the further to middle of the upper tier you are. The legendary Trent end stand redeveloped in early 90s is now a towering two tired stand with superb behind the goal action views. The only supposed let down is the Main stand which is the only stand not to have been redeveloped, although still a great old school stand, is now looking tired in the company of its neighbours, this stand also has several supporting pillars which can impede your view.

Facilities

There are plenty of toilets in each stand and in each area of the ground. The facilities overall are good and the toilets are clean, despite the expected queues there isn't too much problem.

Food & Drink

Alcohol is served inside the ground, as well as many foods all at a fairly reasonable in price considering the average prices around the country (although as any seasoned football fan knows, prices in football grounds are always a rip off). Otherwise there are plenty of pubs in the city centre and on Radcliffe Road there is a McDonalds and two chip shops both are good quality, among other things.

Police & Stewards

Unfortunately the standard of policing and stewarding has to rank as some of the poorest in the country for the more vocal supporters among us, with fans being ejected for persistent standing. With the atmosphere often at breaking point it only takes one ejection for trouble to start.

At big games the police and stewards though do often take a back seat so as not to anger supporters further, at smaller games tends to be where the trouble starts at the stewards see it as their chance to be heavy handed.

Atmosphere

When us Forest fans get going there are few in the country who can compete. The atmosphere can be very intimidating at times particularly if we are playing another Midlands team and even worse if one of our rivals are at the City ground.

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