RESIDENTS who live a stone’s throw from one of the noisiest stadiums in the Premier League say they love it – but have had to scold future stars, including an international legend.
The 30,000 capacity City Ground, where Nottingham Forest has played since 1898, is surrounded by tightly-packed Victorian housing, with one of its entrances as the end of a red-brick terraced street.
Nottingham Forest have played at the City Ground since 1898
Local resident Jane Benwell says she once told off legend Roy Keane, who was a ‘naughty boy’ when he played for Forest aged 19
But locals claim they enjoy the buzz of match days – especially since Forest were promoted back into English football’s top flight last year, for the first time since 1999.
Many are also season ticket holders – meaning they can be in their seats in the stand just moments after leaving home.
But living literally in the shadow of the ground – rated last season by experts as having one of the loudest atmospheres in the UK – does have its drawbacks.
When SE visited as part of our Life’s A Pitch summer series, locals told us they have to deal with noisy TV vans and residential roads being completely closed by metal gates before and after kick-off.
Meanwhile neighbours described how teenage Forest apprentices were housed on their street in properties owned by the club – but would play loud music, kick footballs around the street and hold late night parties.
Incredibly, resident Jane Benwell told how she once had to tick off former Republic of Ireland captain and Manchester United legend Roy Keane – now a respected broadcaster – when he lived in digs next door to her on Colwick Road.
Then 19, he moved to Forest from Irish club Cobh Ramblers in 1990.
The shop assistant said he was “a naughty boy”, adding: “He would answer back if you asked him to quiet down.
Roy Keane played for Nottingham Forest for 13 years before moving to Manchester United
Local resident Jane says she once told off legend Roy Keane who was a ‘naughty boy’
“It’s really funny now when I see him on TV and think back to those days.
“Another one who lived there as a youngster was Sean Dyche, who is now Everton manager – although I don’t recall any specific problems with him.”
Jane, 69, also once marched into the office of then-Forest boss Paul Hart to complain when one young player who lived opposite her exposed his backside in the street.
She said: “There were children about at the time – it was completely unacceptable. So I walked round to the ground and asked to see the manager.
“I was shown into his room and said, ‘One of your young players has been dropping his trousers’.
“He sort of listened and nodded, and asked if I knew who it was. I didn’t, but asked if he could have a word anyway.
“Within 15 minutes of me arriving home, Paul turned up at the house. He went in and demanded to speak to the culprit.
“Once he identified them, he ordered them to pack their bags – and told them they were out for good.
“He then came over and apologised, and said to let him know if it happened again.”
Jane says she once marched into Paul Hart’s office to complain about the behaviour of his players
Jane told how on another occasion, one of the young lads was sitting on her car bonnet – and when he refused to get off, she “dragged him off by the scruff of his neck”.
“They would also play loud music to deliberately wind my husband up, and we’d have girls knocking on our door looking for them,” she recalled.
“There was a house next door, which is literally next to the ground, and a large property directly opposite.
“But we don’t have any problems with that anymore because they haven’t been living in for about three or four years. They house them somewhere else now.”
Jane, who has lived in her terraced home for 34 years, added: “Other than that, living here has been absolutely fine really. It isn’t as noisy as people think it would be.
“And the turnstiles at the end of our road are home fans only – so we don’t see any trouble with away supporters.”
She said the only real drawback is when her road is shut off by a large metal barrier for around an hour before and after kick-off, which she claimed is an “anti-terror measure”.
It means residents can’t drive in or out, but Jane said long-time locals have become used to planning their journeys around matches.
She added: “When Forest games are on TV, the broadcast vans park right behind our house.
“They can be very noisy with their generators and have spotlights on all night – we’ve had to get blackout blinds to sleep at the back.”
‘We love it’
Residents say young players used to have kickabouts in the street
Fellow resident Mary Smith, 68, said: “We did have a few issues with some of the younger Forest players they put up in the street a few years ago – parties where we had to ask them to quiet down a bit, that sort of thing.
“They would also have a kickabout in the road, and because they were obviously trained how to kick a ball well it would sometimes smack really hard into a car or window.
“But I suppose they were only young lads away from home for the first time having a bit of fun, as young lads do.
“Some have gone on to have very good careers in the game.
“Apart from that, which was a while ago, we really love living here.
“My husband and son are big Forest fans and love only having to leave just before a game then getting back almost as soon as the final whistle has gone.”
‘Added bonus’
Chris Soar is a Nottingham Forest supporter and says living by the stadium is an ‘added bonus’
The quiet street comes alive on matchdays with TV vans and thousands of football fans
Supporter Chris Soar, 38, lives behind the Bridgford End, which has a lower roof at one end to allow light onto the street.
He said: “I had a season ticket until last season, so it was ideal for me living here.
“We have lived here around seven years – we really like the house and having Forest literally on your doorstep was an added bonus.
“We don’t have any complaints – the ground has been here for 120 years and I don’t think you would move next to one without knowing what to expect, especially a big club like Forest.
“If anything, it’s really interesting. When they played games behind closed doors during Covid you could hear the players shouting on the pitch.”
Resident Helen Fitzsimmons, 52, added: “My husband, son and stepson are all season ticket holders, and my parents were.
“We are a big Forest family so we enjoy living here.
“The bustle and buzz of a matchday is great, especially when a really big club like Manchester United or Liverpool are in town.
“The barrier doesn’t really bother us – you just plan around it accordingly. It’s not like we don’t have plenty of warning of kick-off times.
“We moved in after the players moved out of their digs so didn’t experience that – but I gather from others in the street it could be a bit chaotic at times.
“In fact, I think I may have been to a party in one of the houses once upon a time when I was younger.
“Overall, it’s a fantastic place to live.
“Now Forest are in the Premier League, there are only 19 games here a year, plus any home cup games, so any inconvenience or noise is really only for a very small percentage of the year.”
Chris says people who move next to the stadium know what to expect as it’s been there for so long
Nottingham Forest have played at the City Ground since 1898
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