FOREST AWAY: Blackburn, Saturday 29th September – NFFC Fan Guide

We land in Blackburn on Saturday feeling a bit better about things compared to last time we hit the road. An unbeaten run of three league games including two wins (plus progress to the League Cup 4th Round) has us all reaching for our Bandy & Shinty league ladders rather than the aspirin but we know that any charge towards the upper echelons of the Championship is going to rely upon us winning some games away from home.

We’ve seen in previous play-off campaigns that strong home records combined with a mixed bag away can be enough for a top six berth but it’s picking up three points outside of Nottingham that we need to start doing, at least once in a while! I don’t want to start talking up the possibility of us as promotion contenders, the jury is still out on that front despite some significant progress since the international break. But we know that for the powers that be, this season will be judged on just that.

Me, I’d be happy for now just to see us actually win an away game. It’s been a while since the heady days of early 2018 when we managed to win two in two months. And here we sit with Goose Fair just around the corner still with only those two away wins to our name.

Going by the record books Ewood Park perhaps isn’t the place to gain a third. It’s a dour record we have there, including a few proper batterings. A late Darius Henderson goal is our only real joy in recent times although Rovers fans may remember a 2-1 in our favour which sent them down with us in 1999. Ooooh Mark Crossley!

Our last visit didn’t end in defeat but it was certainly one to forget. A 0-0 draw on a Monday night that was moved to accommodate some Sky Sports gimmick of ten games in ten days. Around 300-400 Forest fans made the journey that night, one of the smallest followings in the league I can ever recall.

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By Train

Trains to Blackburn from Nottingham are not in a good state this Saturday, unfortunately. Due to strike action and / or engineering works on the line a bus replacement service is operating in between Manchester and Blackburn. After a fairly quick look there doesn’t appear to be any way you can get using the traditional route via Manchester. There are trains going around via Crewe but the price and the length of the journey will increase.

If you do use the replacement bus service that is in operation then this will be approximately 1.5 hours from Manchester Victoria to Blackburn.  A significant amount of time for a journey that isn’t a particularly long distance – best avoided if you ask me.

Those arriving into Blackburn station should be aware that it’s also a fair old walk to the ground from there.

By Road

Our road trips to Blackburn usually follow the same pattern – we leave the M65 and park up almost immediately at or near the Golden Cup pub. The pub car park is manned and they will charge you to park – it was £5 back in 2016 but that may have changed now. The better bet is to carry on slightly down the road and, if you are early enough, you’ll find some street parking on the main stretch down to Ewood Park.

It’s a 15 minute walk to the ground from here but you’ll be flying out back onto the motorway rather than stuck in traffic.

Pubs

The aforementioned Golden Cup relies on dry weather in order to accommodate large numbers. It’s a bit pokey inside but the large outside area on the front is where most end up.

To this day I have still never foot in Blackburn town centre so I’m unable to advise on that front.

Around the ground away fans are usually welcome just across the road from the away end at the Fenhurst. I say usually as we did get turned away one year I recall. A few pubs exist down the side of the ground but I have never visited them or know if they welcome away fans.

 

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To provide a bit more of a comprehensive guide for us we spoke with Rovers fan Andy Gaskell who kindly agreed to answer some of of our questions.

 

1. It doesn’t seem that long at all that our two clubs were engulfed in battle to the death in May 2017. It was a terrifying time for all concerned and we are forever grateful that your incompetence slightly outweighed our own. Still, no harm done? And congratulations on your swift return, something I’m fairly certain we wouldn’t have managed. How’s life back in the Championship treating you?

Ha! I remember it well – I’d just landed in Albufeira on the last day of the season and we got to the pub just in time for the game. Each game was on a separate screen and I was sat with a Birmingham fan which made it worse as they were in the scrap too.

To be honest I think the relegation did us a world of good, galvanising the fans. The feel good factor has remained this season and we have made some excellent signings so a lot better than the last time we were there.

 

2. We have a fairly poor record at Ewood Park. My first ever visit was in 1999 when we relegated you alongside ourselves, one of only a couple of victories I can recall in the last twenty years. You, however, bounced back for a time. Something we have still yet to do. 

We’ve also endured a few batterings and a number of dour performances. Any idea how this one is going to go?

I’ve  not watched Forest at all this season but there have been some good results – drawing with Swansea and West Brom who will be up there this season. I went to Stoke last weekend and bar the crazy last 15 minutes we looked the sharpest I have seen us in a long time. I’m going for a Rovers win…. 2-1

 

3. The Golden Cup just off the M65 has been a regular stop for many Forest fans on past visits. It’s small inside but, if the weather is good, the beer garden is a decent place to sit and drink. Where else is worth trying? Is there anywhere closer to the ground for those coming in on coaches?

The best pub by far is the Fernhurst for away fans. Guaranteed some rowdy fans in there. Plus it has a big car park which closes to vehicles where fans can stand.

For something less noisy, Uncle Jack’s is good and the Brown Cow. The majority of pubs around the ground let away fans in if they don’t think they will be trouble.

 

4. Blackburn station is a bit of trek from Ewood Park. Is it worth staying in town and frequenting the pubs there and then jumping in a cab? It is walkable?

There are some ok pubs in the centre but I’m not too sure what they are like with away fans. While you are there you could always ask. I would say it’s nearly a 2 mile walk so it’d be a taxi ride!

There’s plenty of pubs and better atmosphere around the ground in my opinion.

 

5. For those who haven’t been before where are away fans situated and what’s the away section like for travelling fans?

The away fans are situated in the Darwen end, which is behind the goal. Depending on how many Forest fans travel, the upper tier may be opened. The Darwen end holds around 7000 fans.

It’s a good stand with good facilities – I used to have my season ticket in there when it had half home/half away fans. But now it’s open solely for away fans.

 

6. What’s the situation with the owners these days? Blackburn is perhaps the club most synonymous suffering at the hands of incompetent / untrustworthy owners. Can we expect any chickens on the pitch on Saturday?

The owners these days are very quiet. We have a new excellent CEO in Steve Waggott who does all the talking – he has been fantastic since he’s been at Rovers.

Everything about the club is getting a lot better- mainly the club’s interaction with the fans via social media amongst other things.

To be honest, I truly believe that the owners have been badly advised in the past by the likes of Jerome Anderson. However, since Mowbray has taken over, they have backed him all the way.

So no, no chickens in site!!

 

7. What’s the mood of the Ewood crowd at the moment? Can we expect a lively atmosphere?

Ewood is a lot happier these days – I guess Rovers fans appreciate things more now after the not too distant past. Plus Mowbray has brought in some very hungry players who are exciting to watch. Even though we don’t get Forest’s attendances, the Rovers fans can still make a fair bit of noise!

8. What would represent a good season for you?

I suppose the stereotypical answer for a team that’s just been promoted would be survival. However, after seeing who we have brought in I would say I’d be happy with a mid-table finish. As you know, the championship is a very tough league – anybody can beat anybody on their day!!

 

9. And finally – how is Ben Brereton settling in? Technically still our player but undoubtedly yours now.

I must admit, my eyebrows were raised with the price looking at his record. He’s not been getting much game time at the minute. Mowbray is also playing him on the wings at times, which I’m not sure of.

However, long term I think he will be our main lone striker when Danny Graham retires. Graham is still excellent at this level though so he may have to wait his turn. Obviously Mowbray sees him as a long term investment.