FOREST AWAY: Chelsea, Monday 4th May – Fan Guide
The next few days could legitimately be among the most important we have ever faced. Games in West London and the West Midlands aren’t just vital to this season but could be huge landmarks stamped onto the history of Nottingham Forest.
Survival can’t be mathematically achieved at Stamford Bridge but we could find ourselves a long way towards it, especially if our European opponents can turn over Spurs for us on Sunday evening. On Thursday at Villa Park the task is more easily defined – do not lose and Forest will find themselves in a first European final since 1980.
We have wrestled with the idea all season long on prioritising one competition over the other but we can lay that to rest now. This is one last push to do something extraordinary – retain our Premier League status and win silverware. To achieve just one of these feats will be difficult, especially to go all the way in the Europa League given a tough, tough night lies ahead on Thursday at Villa, but there is undoubtedly a sequence of events that allows both to happen.
I’ve been finding myself thinking back a fair bit in recent days to away leg at Midtjylland; the real starting point in my eyes to where we find ourselves today. The comeback and subsequent shoot-out win wasn’t just progress in Europe, it was a monumental moment to bring everyone right into the mix together and galvanise an entire fanbase into this two-pronged fight in the league and in Europe. There had been signs of this prior – certainly away at City – but there was something on this night in Denmark that really lit the fire for the run-in.
The unity of the whole club has been key to what we have achieved in recent years. The appointment of Vitor Pereira allowed that to blossom once more; further proof that real, authentic connection doesn’t come from living in Nottingham or having worn the shirt but by building a relationship with all of the supporters; making them believe in you, and by being meaningful in what you are trying to do, and quite simply being a guy that supporters like. There has been no cliches, no excuses, no abandoning of young players after a bad performance. Vitor has been a breath of fresh air in a season that had started to stink the place out.
Under his brief stewardship, he has cleared the debris of what came before and helped to build something that has left us dreaming again. Whatever the days ahead have in store, Vitor and his merry band of Reds have us ready to march on London and Birmingham in search of new triumphs.
AWAY DAY NO.26 – Chelsea, Monday 4th May, 3pm KO
Last Visit: The Reds drew 1-1 with Chris Wood scoring.
Famous Visit: A 1-0 win courtesy of Anthony Elanga in 2023. Our only win at Stamford Bridge since the 1990s but our record since promotion is pretty strong – 3 draws and 1 win.
Away End: Forest fans will be spread across two tiers of the Shed End. There is almost always a sizeable queue that builds up outside the turnstiles 45 minutes before kick-off so try not to arrive too late.
Sunglasses / Hat Requirement: 8/10
TRAVEL
RAIL: There are plenty of trains out of Nottingham early on Monday, both direct into St Pancras and via a change at Grantham / Peterborough into Kings Cross.
A standard return for the direct services is £66.50.
The first service which is likely reachable after the game is the 18:05 arriving back into Nottingham at 19:57. Services run generally at 5 past and then 35 minutes past until late in the evening.
From Kings Cross / St Pancras the most straightforward route is likely to be using the Victoria Line southbound to Victoria and then change onto the District Line westbound to Earls Court or West Brompton.
Stamford Bridge is around 15/20 minutes-walk from Earls Court and around 5/10 minutes from West Brompton.
ROAD: If you are heading down in the car, apparently Richmond is a decent place to stop, not far off the M4. Sitting on the District Line, this will be a direct line to Earls Court. You could change here to hop down to West Brompton or walk from Earls Court which should take around 15/20 minutes.
We have also used Osterley on the Piccadilly line which similarly can be reached pretty easily via M25 / M4 and also connects directly to Earls Court.
If wanting to park further out and avoid a jaunt around the M25, a few other options below:
Stanmore: Just off Jc4 of the M1 and usually a good and reliable option. Note that close to Stanmore is Canon Park which is the next stop down on the line but it only has a very small car park.
Edgware: Another stop I’ve used a few times. Close to Stanmore and at the very top of the Northern Line.
Watford: Jct 6 of M1. A long way out of London, but probably a reliable means of leaving your car and having a relatively hassle-free journey in and out.
Cockfosters: Jct 5 or 4 – not used this one before but apparently it has a large car park and is at the very top of the Piccadilly line which serves Earls Court direct which is close to Stamford Bridge.
Luton Airport Parkway: Situated just off Jct 10 of the M1 this option cuts down a fair bit of travelling in the car, but this is a rail service so please be mindful that it will be subject to the disruption covered above. Note that this option can work out a bit more expensive as a return is around £12, plus a London underground / overground cost, but be aware that if travelling in groups of 3 or 4 you can get a third off the £12 return.
We are taking a bus down, departing from the Trent Navigation on Meadow Lane at 08:30. A few spots remain if anyone still needs to sort travel. DM us to arrange.
PUBS
Chelsea isn’t particularly away fan friendly; lots of pubs have a strict policy on admitting home supporters only and this stretches a fair way beyond the stadium and through surrounding areas like Earls Court.
The main away pubs are close to Earls Court station – the Prince of Tek and the Earls Court Tavern will usually operate as welcoming venue for away fans, and this should include the Courtfield Tavern too. With the lack of other options in the immediate area, they have all got very busy in the last couple of visits.
These are all around /20 minutes’ walk to Stamford Bridge.
For those looking for something a little bit less hectic it may be worth heading slightly further afield, potentially picking something up on the tube / rail line in. Putney, close to Fulham, is one option.
Safe travels.
Up the Reds.
Matt