'I'm retiring after 46 years on football turnstiles'

Alan was given a signed shirt to mark the end of his time working with the club

Alan Moore will be a familiar face to many Nottingham Forest fans who regularly attend matches at the club's historic City Ground.

He has worked on the turnstiles for 46 seasons, letting ticketholders into the stadium since 1979.

But his last shift will be on Sunday, before the Reds take on Chelsea in the final game of the season.

"I think it'll be emotional - it's a point of change," said the 79-year-old former Royal Navy engineer.

"I came in when they were in Europe, and I'm going out as they go back into Europe."

A turnstile operator is often the first person fans interact with at football grounds

Mr Moore, from Nuthall in Nottinghamshire, started working for the club during the Brian Clough era, which saw Forest famously win two back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.

"Ah, they were great days," he said.

"I think the football played then was very entertaining... and it was brilliant to be on top of the world."

Mr Moore took a short break from the club when he got deployed to the Falklands in 1982, but, even then, he was able to work part of the season.

Mr Moore is a lifelong Forest supporter

Mr Moore believes his role is more than just simply turning stiles.

He is often the first point of contact for fans arriving at the ground, which he said made him "sort of an ambassador for the club".

"I'm meeting the fans and starting them off on their journeys for the game," he added.

In his early days with the club, Mr Moore had a season ticket, guaranteeing him a spot in the crowd next to his brother at the end of his shift.

But he said the club would also allow employees to sit in an empty seat to watch matches.

"You need it [a season ticket] these days because you can't always get a seat," he said.

"When I've had to miss games in the past for one reason or another, it's always felt a little bit strange."

Mr Moore's son and grandson joined him for a tour of the City Ground

Over the years, Mr Moore has built up a good rapport with some fans who regularly pass through his turnstile.

"I worked on the away side as well but, certainly, the home fans, they're all happy and cheerful," he said.

"One chap puts his hand through to shake my hand every game."

But the lifelong Forest fan is moving to Matlock in Derbyshire, so he is giving up his beloved job.

He said: "I love the club and what it stands for, it's a community club."

To mark the end of his time working at the City Ground, the club surprised Mr Moore with a stadium tour, a signed shirt and the promise of two tickets for Forest's first game of the 2025/26 season.

As he walked down the tunnel and out on to the pitch as part of his surprise tour, Mr Moore said: "I never, ever thought I'd be doing this. No, this is incredible."

A spokesperson for the club said: "We were delighted to welcome Alan to the City Ground for a private tour along with his son and grandson, and we hope they enjoyed it.

"Working on matchdays as a turnstile operator for 46 years shows fantastic dedication, and his passion for the club is clear for all to see.

"We're looking forward to seeing Alan back at the stadium next season on the other side of the turnstiles showing his support for the team he loves."