Quote Originally Posted by Robertomac View Post
I've mellowed massively towards Forest, In my younger days I used to hate them with a passion, but because we've been so far apart in the football pyramid for such a long period I've actually reached a point where I can be happy for them and actually wanted them to win today. If someone had told me that 20 years ago, I would never have believed it.

Credit where due, Cooper has done an incredible job. Hopefully a strengthened relationship between us and Forest will benefit us in the long run, so you never know, their promotion to the PL could be good for us as well.
I wouldn't go as far as saying I wanted them to win today, that would be untrue. I felt pretty impassive about the game, because it didn't feature a club I support.

It is true to say however that my past animosity towards Forest has subsided over the years for a number of reasons. I know many Forest fans who genuinely wish Notts County well and say - with sincerity as far as I can tell - that they want us to get back into the league. I also know several who have contributed financially to the various money-raising efforts we've had since the 1980's when Notts have been in financial peril. It's also difficult to ignore the fact that Forest have loaned us some very good youngsters in recent years, which I know is mutually beneficial because it gives their kids experience, but they could always send them to other clubs if they were so inclined.

The other significant factor in changing my attitude is that I think it becomes a bit demeaning if your identity as a football fan becomes too much about hating another club than loving your own. Rivalries are great, but if you develop an inferiority complex to the point where you're more obsessed with bringing down someone else than advancing yourself, it's not healthy.