Forest fans in Seville for Europa League opener

Comedian Matt Forde (right) has made the trip to Seville

Thousands of Nottingham Forest supporters have arrived in Seville, Spain, for the start of the club's first European campaign for 30 years.

Forest are due to take on Real Betis in their opening match in the league stage of the Europa League at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla at 20:00 BST on Wednesday.

The last time the Reds played in a European competition was in the 1995-96 season, when they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

The club's most successful era was when Nottingham Forest's miracle men won the European Cup two years in a row, in 1979 and 1980.

Boxer Leigh Wood shared some laughs with other fans ahead of the game

Celebrity Nottingham Forest supporters have been spotted soaking up the atmosphere in Seville ahead of the opening Europa League fixture.

Nottingham boxer Leigh Wood said he was predicting a 2-1 win for the Reds tonight.

"Everyone is extremely excited, I'm really looking forward to the game tonight," he said.

Comedian Matt Forde is also in the Spanish city and said he hoped the last few games would have no bearing on tonight's result.

"I just hope we score a goal, that would be nice," he said.

The comic is also confident Forest will progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League, "for no other reason that Spurs and Man United did, so that gives me eternal hope".

Jo Chilton and Tracey Richards followed Forest in Europe in the 1990s

Nearly 3,500 Forest fans secured tickets for the match, including Jo Chilton, from Castle Donington, Leicestershire, and her friend Tracey Richards, from Long Eaton, Derbyshire, who said they were looking forward to being inside a European stadium again.

The trip comes three decades after the pair travelled to Munich to see the Reds competing in Europe in 1996.

Ms Chilton said: "To be where we are today, you just cannot believe that you're stood here watching Forest in Europe, it's just immense.

"I honestly didn't think we'd see this again in our lifetime."

Ed Barnes and his parents Melda and Bill Barnes say they are excited to be in Spain

Meanwhile, Forest fan Bill Barnes, from East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, fondly remembers travelling to watch the Reds lift the European Cup twice, in Munich in 1979 and Madrid in 1980.

He said it was a great adventure back then and he was excited for more.

"We're looking forward to it, it's been a long time, so a lot of anticipation for tonight," he said.

His son, Ed Barnes, 35, from West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, was only five when Forest last competed in Europe and he said he was delighted to be with his family in Seville.

"Coming here, it's great to see so many Forest fans out here having a good time," he said.

"We're looking forward to a good performance tonight and hopefully a decent result as well."

Forest fans Richard Mason and Paul Richardson are taking in the sights of Seville before the match

Fellow Forest fans Richard Mason and Paul Richardson, both from West Bridgford, have also travelled to Spain to witness the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

It is also the first time the men have travelled to watch Forest play live in Europe.

They told the BBC they had been enjoying the sights of Seville and reminiscing about the club's former European glories before making their way to Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla.

"We all took it for granted, because we'd had the Clough years and so much success in the cups," said Mr Richardson.

His friend agreed, adding: "I didn't think it would take another 30 years for us to be in Europe, but here we are, looking forward to the game tonight.

"It's great to see so many different Forest fans of different age groups out here."