Do we really hate Forest?

[sidders]

Well some of us do with a passion but some others see that such misplaced emotion is a sign of an inferiority complex.
A true story.
As a 9 year old on holiday in the 1950's I was on holiday with my Forest-supporting cousin at Ingoldmells and we were kicking a ball to each other on the beach when two guys appeared from the sand hills and asked if they could join in. I started to place one of the guys.
'Are you Ron Wylie?' I asked him. He nodded and I told him I was a Notts supporter. (We were supporters not fans in those days).
The other chap said 'And do you know who I am?' Cousin Paul answered 'You're Jack Burkitt' (The then captain of Forest).
They stayed with us for about an hour and we were both shocked that their families were on holiday together. Surely, I reasoned, Ron Wylie would be on holiday with Gordon Wills, his left-wing partner. But no. Here came the realisation that players from rival teams could be mates. It was a lesson learned and since then I've always wished Forest well.
Can't Notts supporters see that the better Forest do, the more we stand to gain - in loan players, the boosting of the city, increasing the numbers who support both teams.
Or is it just an act? Do we have to pretend 'I really hate Forest' simply to sound hard. Let's not forget that Forest did their share of supporting us when our future looked 50 shades of grim. Having said all that, of course if we met them in the cup or one distant day in the league, there's only one team I'd be shouting for and it wouldn't have anything to do with woods or trees.

[sidders]

Well some of us do with a passion but some others see that such misplaced emotion is a sign of an inferiority complex.
A true story.
As a 9 year old on holiday in the 1950's I was on holiday with my Forest-supporting cousin at Ingoldmells and we were kicking a ball to each other on the beach when two guys appeared from the sand hills and asked if they could join in. I started to place one of the guys.
'Are you Ron Wylie?' I asked him. He nodded and I told him I was a Notts supporter. (We were supporters not fans in those days).
The other chap said 'And do you know who I am?' Cousin Paul answered 'You're Jack Burkitt' (The then captain of Forest).
They stayed with us for about an hour and we were both shocked that their families were on holiday together. Surely, I reasoned, Ron Wylie would be on holiday with Gordon Wills, his left-wing partner. But no. Here came the realisation that players from rival teams could be mates. It was a lesson learned and since then I've always wished Forest well.
Can't Notts supporters see that the better Forest do, the more we stand to gain - in loan players, the boosting of the city, increasing the numbers who support both teams.
Or is it just an act? Do we have to pretend 'I really hate Forest' simply to sound hard. Let's not forget that Forest did their share of supporting us when our future looked 50 shades of grim. Having said all that, of course if we met them in the cup or one distant day in the league, there's only one team I'd be shouting for and it wouldn't have anything to do with woods or trees.

[Notts78]

Well some of us do with a passion but some others see that such misplaced emotion is a sign of an inferiority complex.
A true story.
As a 9 year old on holiday in the 1950's I was on holiday with my Forest-supporting cousin at Ingoldmells and we were kicking a ball to each other on the beach when two guys appeared from the sand hills and asked if they could join in. I started to place one of the guys.
'Are you Ron Wylie?' I asked him. He nodded and I told him I was a Notts supporter. (We were supporters not fans in those days).
The other chap said 'And do you know who I am?' Cousin Paul answered 'You're Jack Burkitt' (The then captain of Forest).
They stayed with us for about an hour and we were both shocked that their families were on holiday together. Surely, I reasoned, Ron Wylie would be on holiday with Gordon Wills, his left-wing partner. But no. Here came the realisation that players from rival teams could be mates. It was a lesson learned and since then I've always wished Forest well.
Can't Notts supporters see that the better Forest do, the more we stand to gain - in loan players, the boosting of the city, increasing the numbers who support both teams.
Or is it just an act? Do we have to pretend 'I really hate Forest' simply to sound hard. Let's not forget that Forest did their share of supporting us when our future looked 50 shades of grim. Having said all that, of course if we met them in the cup or one distant day in the league, there's only one team I'd be shouting for and it wouldn't have anything to do with woods or trees.

I don’t hate Forest. No point hating a team that we are soooo far behind and have been for the vast majority of our history - especially the 35 years I’ve supported Notts.
As for friends competing. Some of the most ferocious games I have been involved in has been against mates. We would kick lumps out of each other then have a pint - as football should be.
No one genuinely hates Forest. If they did they would despise everything about them, and that would include supporters. We all have mates who are Forest fans. Some of those mates would have been to watch Notts over the years.
I get that some have had historical issues with bullying etc. But that’s a minority.
It’s no coincidence that our gates are up now Forest are in the big time. I personally think that trend will continue.
IMO we are at the start of a purple patch for Notts where we close the gap. Increase attendances. Then hopefully, we can have a proper rivalry.
Until then, what’s the point of hating them?

[Magpies1959]

I used to hate Florist, not so now as I am a proud Magpie once again, (thank you Chris and Alex, Jason). I wanted them over the river to stay up this year, for purely selfish reasons, based on the harder it is for casual supporters to access their games, the more likely they are to come and see us, especially while we are playing such a pleasing on the eye style of football.
I would still love them to lose all their games, as I want to see Notts as the number one side in Nottinghamshire, see what I did there.
I am not sure what benefits the city gains from having successful footie teams, as the council can soon squander any financial returns.

[Jampie]

To me the honourable/friendly/supportive rivalry we had with Wrexham this season was WAY more my thing.

I can't imagine bearing anyone ill will over a football club. Not that I don't think football clubs are deadly serious. They absolutely are. And so are the rivalries. But rivalries make for great football, not the other way around.

And I don't see why it should ever get personal between people over it. There are way more similarities than differences between even the supporters of the fiercest rival clubs.

[BanjoPie]

No

[Mark_Ross]

No

Perhaps hate is too strong a word. I certainly do not want them to do well. Any success they have diminishes Notts.

My dad (RiP) could not understand it way back when, we were watching TV & I was cheering on Malmo - "But they're Nottingham". Not my Nottingham.

[nottscol]

I have a friend who has a season ticket at both clubs. Can you imagine that at Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield ot Bristol? I think it is great that she just wants to support Nottingham football. Let's regard Mansfield as our big rivals!

[Gimpymoo]

I have a friend who has a season ticket at both clubs. Can you imagine that at Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield ot Bristol? I think it is great that she just wants to support Nottingham football. Let's regard Mansfield as our big rivals!

I will soon find myself in that boat and I am a Forest fan.

I have spent good money the last few years following Notts, home and away. That is more than "throwing money in a bucket and wishing well". That is committing time and money to a club. I admit, I enjoyed watching Notts under Birchnall at times, that is the only reason I started going.

Was I at Wembley, Yes.

Some of the "anti Forest" talk you hear around Meadow Lane is hilarious.

Competitively, we have played Notts soo infrequently, I do not consider Notts a rivalry, I see another Nottingham club whom I want to do well. Would I begrudge them a higher run in the Premier league above Forest, NO.

My two boys are Notts fans BECAUSE I gave them a choice, took them to both clubs, explained the history of the clubs. Do they hate Forest and want them to FAIL, no, they come along to the Forest games too. I think there are more "hybrid" Nottingham fans than people realise.

I cannot recall a single chant at Forest about Notts County when not playing them. Do we sing about Derby, Leicester, Sheffield Utd, Leeds, yes, and rightly so............ I HATE SHEFFIELD UNITED .

[applepie2]

I have a friend who has a season ticket at both clubs. Can you imagine that at Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield ot Bristol? I think it is great that she just wants to support Nottingham football. Let's regard Mansfield as our big rivals!

I could regard Mansfield as our little rivals.