NafisaFebruary Fan Guide: Nottingham Forest’s Unique Moments & Newcastle Away Tips
Nearly a month ago, I released my first book, Trailblazers: The Groundbreaking History of Nottingham Forest, and the response has been incredible. Beyond the positive feedback, I’ve loved hearing from readers who’ve shared additional examples of Forest’s pioneering moments. While the book primarily focuses on major innovations and milestones, I also enjoyed including some of the more unusual and quirky moments in the club’s history. It’s been great to hear even more of these stories from fellow fans.
A few of the suggestions I’ve received are still under investigation, but one recent discussion centered on our recent FA Cup trip to Exeter, and I thought it was worth sharing.
I can’t claim these as confirmed facts, but they are certainly interesting possibilities worth considering:
With the final penalty at Exeter taking place around 11:10 pm, was this the latest finish to an FA Cup match in history? Could it also have been the latest finish to a game in Forest’s history?
Was it unique that all of Forest’s penalty takers were substitutes (Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson & Neco Williams)? We only needed four, but I’ve seen it suggested that Nico Domínguez (another sub) was lined up for the fifth. This could be a first for Forest, especially given that using more than three substitutes is a relatively recent change, though I’m less sure if it’s a record for any English club in a competitive match.
While it may not be exclusive to Forest, it’s certainly rare for the same team and its fans to visit both St. James’ Park locations in the same month for competitive fixtures. Considering the sheer distance between Exeter and Newcastle, those who made both trips deserve serious away-day credit.
While these aren’t groundbreaking facts, it’s always interesting to find ways to link Forest to football’s historical footnotes. Since writing the book, it’s become second nature for me to dig into these details. If anyone has thoughts on whether any of these might be true, I’d love to hear them.
It’s been a hectic month of travel, and as we all know, tickets and transport aren’t cheap. Hopefully, Sunday’s match at Newcastle will reward the dedication of traveling fans. See you all at the top of the Leazes End—loud and proud as always!
Matchday Information – Newcastle Away
Last Visit
A memorable Boxing Day win in 2023, inspired by a Chris Wood hat-trick, saw Forest triumph 3-1.
Historic Visit
The infamous 1974 FA Cup quarter-final saw Forest lead Newcastle 3-1 before crowd trouble forced the match to be abandoned. When it was resumed, Forest lost 4-3, and a subsequent replay at Goodison Park saw Newcastle eventually progress.
Away End
Forest fans will once again be housed in the upper tier of the Leazes End. It’s a steep climb, so prepare yourself for those stairs! Hopefully, we’ll be celebrating on the way back down.
Travel Advice
By Train
As mentioned in our previous away guide, planned engineering works on the East Coast Main Line will likely disrupt travel for fans heading to Newcastle.
- The 08:25 and 09:18 trains from Nottingham require a final change onto the 11:53 from York, arriving in Newcastle at 13:48, just minutes before kickoff.
- A better option is traveling via Derby on the 08:28, which changes at Sheffield and York, arriving in Newcastle at 12:33—though this service is already marked as sold out on Trainline.
- Return travel is the real issue, with rail replacement buses operating between Newcastle and York. If you’re planning to travel by train, check your options carefully as getting back looks particularly tricky.
By Road
Last season, I suggested avoiding the direct city-center route from the A1(M) and instead taking the A186 via Fenham and Arthur’s Hill, where we found parking within a 20-minute walk of the stadium. This worked well, so it may be a good option again.
There are paid parking options in the city and just south of the river, which might be easier on a Sunday.
Pubs & Pre-Match Drinks
Newcastle is known for its welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of options for away fans:
- Victoria Comet – The main pub for visiting supporters, located opposite the train station and about 15 minutes from St. James’ Park.
- Gunner Tavern – A mixed crowd of home and away fans.
- Tilley’s Bar – A solid choice from our 2022 visit.
- The Gate Complex – Offers multiple bars, though it can get extremely busy.
- Newcastle Arms – A stone’s throw from the stadium, where many Forest fans enjoyed a pre-match drink on Boxing Day.
Safe travels, and we’ll see you up there!
Nafisa
