Nottingham Forest supporters will set off red balloons at this evening’s Championship clash with Fulham to symbolise their love for the club.
Supporters’ groupΒ London Trickies have organised the event, on Valentine’s Day, in association with the fellow group the Forza Garibaldi.
Both are calling on travelling Reds fans to bring and let off balloons from the away end at Craven Cottage.
London Trickies say the stunt is about celebrating fans’ love for the City Ground club and to pledge support to the players and management team – at a difficult time following the collapsed US takeover of the club.
The away end tomorrow… π³β€οΈ
ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ#NFFCβ London Trickies (@LondonTrickies) February 13, 2017
Organiser Simon Bristow said: “On the pitch itβs important everyone gets behind the team.
“Because this game is a London game, and as weβre the London Trickies, weβve tried to organise things.
“Hopefully people turn up tonight with their shirts on, scarves around their necks and fill the away end with red balloons to show the players weβre thinking of them.”
The London Trickies, run by five Forest fanatics, will let off around 200 balloons when the players come out of the tunnel and all travelling fans are encouraged to bring their own balloons, too.
Simon, 36, who used to live in Southwell, added: βAt the start of the game when the players come out, and weβre getting ready for kick-off singing Mull of Kintyre, weβll set off the balloons into the air and, hopefully, itβll look quite impressive.”
Before the game, Reds fans will meet at The Fulham Mitre pub, Dawes Road.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Through the good and bad
Forest, we love you
β€οΈπ³ #NFFCRemember your πtonight!
πΈ: @RedDogRoberts pic.twitter.com/4wnMsPM9sDβ London Trickies (@LondonTrickies) February 14, 2017
“Itβs about having a bit of positivity around the place when itβs been a bit bleak of late,” said Simon, “If fans meet up and have a couple of beers and chat about their love of Forest and when they started following the team β it all helps that positivity.
“Weβll go into the ground and get a good atmosphere going to rouse the team.”
The pub is a stone’s throw away fromΒ Fulham Broadway tube station – which is a five-minute walk fromΒ the stadium.
Forest will be looking to secure their first away win under the reign of Gary Brazil and striker Ross McCormack, signed on loan for the rest of the campaign from Aston Villa, could start against his former side Fulham.
The Reds sit 17th in the Championship, seven points from the relegation zone, while Fulham occupy ninth place, six points adrift of the play-offs.
Simon says he expectsΒ the Reds toΒ bounce back from a disappointing 5-1 drubbingΒ at the hands of Norwich on Saturday, and continue their recent good form under Brazil; the Reds having won three of their last five games.
“I think weβre going to win tonight. Saturday was a blip; Norwich are a very, very good team with some really good players,” he said.
“Four of those goals wereΒ goal of the season contenders. I think theyβll bounce back tonight, Gary Brazil will get them sorted.
“As soon as the full-time whistle went on Saturday, I fancied us for Tuesday. Fingers crossed.”