FOREST AWAY: Liverpool, Saturday 22nd November – Fan Guide
Things have felt a little calmer just lately, and that’s no bad thing. Naturally, the defeat of Leeds calmed uneasy waters and it was good timing to head into the final international break of 2025 with another victory finally in the bag.
If I may, I’ll use the opening part of this issue to cover a few bits.
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The trip to Graz was incredible, the sort of European excursion I have always longed for. Things were much calmer than Betis in terms of being able to make our way to the ground of our own accord and I think this allowed a much more enjoyable experience. The now iconic Tram 4 was great fun (‘Have you ever seen Derby on Tram 4?’) and the adventures in the Hops ale house after the game provided memories that will always last. Even though there was some ever so mild concern that one of our group would never be seen again having disappeared into the Graz night having quaffed a pint and a half of wine in the ground.
Attention has already turned to the next two away excursions. Nottinghamshire Police, presumably along with representatives from NFFC, visited both Utrecht and Braga within 48 hours this week and I have been provided with lots of key information from PC Simon Travell which will inform both editions of this away guide. I am hugely grateful to PC Travell and his team for being so generous sharing information which makes the trips much easier to plan.
My aim it to get the Utrecht guide out as early as possible. Just like Graz was rather different to Betis, this feels like it will different again.
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I was invited to a couple of calls with NFFC around the sales process for Utrecht, and was able to provide some feedback on the proposed ticket strategy. It’s positive that the club recognised criticism of the reliance on ballots for Graz tickets and wanted to re-think the approach.
While the Utrecht criteria was still disappointing for some, I did personally feel it was preferable to try and look at priority and carve this out within the existing three away membership tiers. Part of my comments in response had been that there is a very fine line between recognising the long-standing loyalty of domestic away games and then also those who had made trips to Betis and Graz. The added layer of acknowledging those who had held an away membership prior to promotion, while subject to debate, was done to try and ensure that that long-standing participation in the away membership still mattered.
I don’t think there was totally right answer here – the demand for Utrecht was known to be a lot higher and there was always likely to be more miss out on this one due to the smaller allocation, but I found it encouraging that the club were not stubbornly standing behind the Graz method which perhaps didn’t do enough to try and establish priority tiers.
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Scarves and mugs will start to be shipped next week and I believe that the aim is to have everything dispatched by the beginning of December. As this is being handled by a third party to make our lives a lot easier, we do just need to rely on updates before we can update you. But delivery won’t be too far away we hope.
For those asking, there may be another sales window for the scarves but we anticipate this won’t be imminent. We are probably past the point now of being able to turn any more around for Christmas and so we may look for a further batch that land early in the new year, but I’m afraid we can’t offer any promises.
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A note for Stephen Crean who received a brilliant ovation both before the Leeds game and during half time when he joined the Dementia Choir pitch side. I don’t know Stephen, but I’ve often spoken in these guides about those familiar faces you have seen across the country over the years. Stephen was very much one of those individuals who you can bet will be there as far-flung trips up and down the country.
His actions on the train following the Manchester United game were incredible and it was undoubtedly a moment of pride for us all to hear that it was a fellow Forest fans displaying such fearlessness that evening.
We all wish him well in his recovery.
AWAY DAY No.9: Liverpool, Saturday 22nd November, 3pm KO
Last Visit: A famous 1-0 win, earning a first win at Anfield since 1969. I saw grown men crying with happiness that day.
Famous Visit: In February 1969, the Reds earned a 2-0 win at Liverpool with two goals from Barry Lyons. It led to the inevitable Liverpool Echo headline of ‘LIVERPOOL MAULED BY LYONS’. This game is, however, perhaps best remembered for the incredible shot of Joe Baker and Ronnie Rees challenging Liverpool’s Ian St-John and the explosion of snow this creates. It’s a terrific image, especially with Forest in their royal blue away strip. In my opinion, the greatest Forest kit there has ever been.
Away End: Forest fans will again be accommodated in one half of the Anfield Road Stand behind the goal. It’s not a bad view although the right side ends up way beyond the touchline so you’ll spend the game twisted left towards the pitch.
Sunglasses / Hat Requirement: 9/10. This is the ground why this feature was added to the away guide. At any time of year there is the possibility of sun above the Kop opposite causing a real glare. Obviously the weather isn’t great at the moment but I highly recommend you go prepared.
TRAVEL
RAIL: A rare 3pm KO does offer the chance for a decent train trip, and for once, fares are not outrageous.
The most obvious route to allow for time in Liverpool before the game and sufficient time to head back to the station afterwards would be as follows:
OUTBOUND
Depart Nottingham: 08:45 (direct service)
Arrive Liverpool: 11:29
RETURN
Depart Liverpool: 17:51 (direct service)
Arrive Nottingham: 20:29
A standard return is £50.50. However, I believe this journey qualifies for the EMR GroupSave discount where a group between 3 & 9 can save a third off the fare. EMR state that these savings are only available to buy at the station (not online) and all members of the group must travel together on all parts of the journey. I believe the standard £50.50 return will be available on the day at the station so, as tempting as it is, to buy tickets in advance online I think on this occasion it’s worth trying to buy in person and seeing if you can save some money.
It is a couple of miles from Liverpool city centre to Anfield so make sure you build that into your planning. I am aware that there are various buses that shuttle fans between the two.
ROAD: From Nottingham, there are a few variances of the route to take to Liverpool. We usually favour the A50 and then up the M6 before picking up the M62 west. Alternatively you could head up the M1 and join the M62 at Leeds and head west. Or depart the M1 earlier and
head across the peaks using the Woodhead Pass at Barnsley, although to reach Liverpool I think this route may end up a bit too complicated.
Whichever route you take I recommend using the estate near Walton Hall Park as your parking spot – specifically I’d suggest the streets in between Walton Hall Park and Anfield Cemetery. There are plenty of streets around here and an abundance of street parking. It also works well to cut through Anfield Cemetery to reach the stadium, around a 15-minute walk. Plus, as detailed in the next section, this parking spot also is quite close to Goodison Park where there are a few drinking options for away fans.
PUBS
If drinking in Liverpool, there are loads of fantastic pubs and bars across the city and my suggestion is you just wander around and discover them.
Closer to Anfield, the Arkles pub will still welcome away fans I gather, situated just across from the ground. Another sensible choice is to head to Goodison Park. Traditionally, away fans have headed to the alternate ground to where they are playing, like when we have used Arkles next for previous games at Goodison. The main venue seems to be the Thomas Frost Wetherspoons, although I’ve not actually been there before. Alternatively, very close to Goodison is The Brick and the Royal Oak. The Brick is a traditional Everton pub and we have been made welcome there on our last couple of trips. Plus it’s good to support these establishments now they have likely lost trade with Everton’s relocation.
If you are travelling, we’ll see you there.
You Reds!