Nottinghamshire

Image source, Joe Hollman

Nottingham Forest fans are experiencing disruption on their journey to Seville today due to a fire at Stansted airport.

The fire took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning, leading to some areas of the airport having to close and causing some delays.

Forest face Real Betis in the Europa League tonight in their first European game for 30 years.

Speaking to BBC Radio Essex, Reds fan Joe Hollman said: "We thought we'd given ourselves loads of time.

"We left Nottingham about midnight and got to Stansted about three o'clock. Everything was going swimmingly, we got through security really quick, got into departures and then all hell broke loose.

"We were sitting down to get some breakfast and got evacuated from the restaurant. We weren't allowed to leave departures, couldn't get to the gate, and then by the time we got to the gate the plane had gone.

"We've had to book on a later one - we're waiting here now. Hopefully, this one isn't delayed. We're on a bit of a tight schedule trying to get to Seville in time for the game tonight.

"There's loads of Forest fans in the airport. We were chatting to a couple who are now flying to Porto so will have a bit of a drive the other end. We're doing everything we can to get there.

"One of our friends was stuck in security and he's not been able to get on the new flight. He's going to go home - he's going to miss the day."

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BBC Radio Nottingham commentator Colin Fray says Forest manager Ange Postecoglou wants fans to "create more memories" as the Reds get set for European competition and another landmark on their "incredible rise" over recent seasons.

"I'm fortunate to have been doing the job that long that I covered all the games in that 1995-96 Uefa Cup run as it was then," Fray told Today on BBC Radio 4.

"This is the first time they will have been involved in this style of competition in Europe. The last four seasons have been a meteoric rise. Four years ago this week Steve Cooper was appointed at Forest when they were bottom of the Championship.

"An incredible rise over the last few years. Forest paid a lot of money for a lot of players to bolster their squad. They now have a squad they feel can compete over both the Premier League and the Europa League. That will be tested over the next few months."

Forest finished seventh in the league last season and will compete in a Uefa competition for the first time in 29 years when they face Real Betis on Wednesday.

"[Ange] Postecoglou could do with a win certainly," Fray added.

"In terms of the Europa League it's not the end of the world if Forest don't get three points tonight. Real Betis are a good European side, sixth in La Liga, in pot one in the Europa League and it is away from home so therefore the toughest game of the eight group matches that Forest face.

"This is Ange Postecoglou's fourth away game in a row since he has taken control of the club. That is pretty unprecedented I think. He could certainly do with a win before they go back to the City Ground to face Sunderland on Saturday in the Premier League.

"Postecoglou himself is confident, upbeat, excited about this European campaign and wanting the fans to create more memories."

David Jackson, Colin Fray and the BBC Radio Nottingham team are in Seville and ready for Forest's return to European action on Wednesday evening.

We have started to hear from a few of you on your journeys.

If you're on your way, if you're in Seville or even if you have just got something exciting lined up for the game at home, tell us - and send us your photos!

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Nick: Leaving a rainy Paris for the heat of Seville as the only representative of the small but vociferous Paris Tricky Trees fan group. Hoping for a great three days topped off by a win or draw!

Tim: We're flying out of Stansted early to Porto, then on to Seville. Home journey is Seville to Eindhoven in Holland and then back to Stansted. Can't wait!

Send us your plans and photos here

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

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The news that Oleksandr Zinchenko has been added to Forest's Europa League squad (replacing Ola Aina thanks to Uefa's new rules on long-term injuries) makes it 17 Forest players now who have previous experience in European competition.

It is this experience - and that of the head coach who won this trophy last season, of course - that contrasts sharply with the young fans who are here experiencing an away trip in Europe for the first time.

In his interview with us, recorded by the side of the pitch at the Olympic Stadium, Ange Postecoglou said that 'the new generation want their own stories' - and he's right. It has also been a long wait for the older fans, and those we have seen are aware how easily these things can be here and then gone again before you know it.

They are here to enjoy themselves, and why not?

What is also true though is that the players have the ability and the know-how to represent their supporters properly on the pitch. Nikola Milenkovic said the players were 'excited like the fans' to be in Europe.

He has played in two finals for Fiorentina so knows about playing against different styles and in different conditions but is clearly aware of the responsibility they have to these supporters.

It is going to be a fascinating night tonight, against an experienced side (and manager in Manuel Pellegrini).

But for the fans getting ready to experience their own stories, they are just hoping they will be happy ones.

Listen to a special Shut Up And Show More Football podcast recorded in Seville

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Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley says his phone "has not stopped all week" as anticipation builds on Nottingham Forest's return to Europe.

"It is 30 years since we were last in Europe and I was in that team," said Crossley on BBC East Midlands Today. "We had a great European campaign.

"When I look back at my 12 years at Forest, I can honestly say that it was my favourite time.

"My message to the players would be enjoy it, embrace it, and think about all the travelling fans who are spending their hard-earned money to be there.

"It will be a really special time for [the supporters] and everyone will enjoy it."

Forest kick-off their Europa League campaign with a trip to Real Betis on Wednesday and you can follow all the build-up on BBC Radio Nottingham.

Colin Fray and David Jackson are live from Seville as we near Nottingham Forest's first European game in 30 years.

Listen to all of the build-up with the BBC Radio Nottingham team from 18:00 BST on Tuesday as the Reds head out to Real Betis for their first European game since the quarter-finals of the 1995-96 UEFA Cup against Bayern Munich.

Centre-back Nikola Milenkovic has already spoken to the media and said the players are "excited" to be back in Europe.

"We are excited to go through this European journey with the fans," he added. "We will do our best and give everything we have to make them proud."

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Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Europa League tie against Real Betis.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On this being a big moment for the football club: "Without a shadow of a doubt this is a big moment for the club. You can just imagine how the supporters are feeling. There's probably a couple of generations in there who have heard the stories but not lived the experiences and now they can live their own experiences. I know everyone at the club is excited, the players are excited. Hopefully it's a successful campaign for us."

• On player availability: "The only one that misses out is Murillo again. He trained on Monday but he's still not comfortable so I've left him back home to do some work."

• On the importance of substitutions: "The players are ready for that. That's why we need a big squad and the important things is the guys that come on make an impact, which they did against Burnley on Saturday. We're really pleased with the guys that came on and made an impact. Whatever team we start with on Wednesday, we still have the ability to make changes that can impact the game."

• On how important the addition of Oleksandr Zinchenko will be: "Bringing Zinchenko in is brilliant for us. Losing Ola [Aina] was a massive blow and we'd be really short of full-backs if we weren't allowed to bring Oleksandr in. I'm super pleased that the amendment to the rule has been made. He will be huge. You can already see that he's a quality player, he's got experience at the highest level of European football, so it's great to bring him in."

• Postecoglou has brought the whole squad along for their first match in order to "keep the group together". He said: "Being away allows some of the spirit between the team to gel a bit quicker because we do have a lot of new players. It will be a worthwhile couple of days for us."

• On the difference between European football and the Premier League: "I think what's really important is that you treat this as a standalone tournament. It's very different from the Premier League and it challenges you in different ways and we need to embrace that. If you expect to roll in after a Premier League game, I don't think that's the way it works. I've had experience in this competition and we'll make sure the lads are ready for every unique challenge that's before us."

Listen to Postecoglou from Radio Nottingham on BBC Sounds

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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As Nottingham Forest make their preparations for Wednesday's Europa League match at Real Betis, we step into the unknown - in more ways than one.

The European adventure represents a milestone in the club's modern history and a chance to compete against some of the continent's best teams. Combine that with a new manager and a clutch of new signings and it is hard to know what to expect.

With his first four games played away, Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to greet the City Ground faithful on Saturday with a win under his belt. The draw against Burnley can be looked at as a hard-earned point on the road or another opportunity spurned.

But Burnley are no pushover at home and the manager is juggling injuries and new players while trying to embed his philosophy. He knows he doesn't have long and the goals and the wins have to start coming.

The question in Seville will be which Postecoglou can we expect? Will it be Ange-ball? Will it be the pragmatic style of Tottenham's trophy winners last season? Or will it be some sort of combination of those with a dollop of Nuno-ball?

Last season's Conference League runners-up are not to be underestimated and the patient, possession-based football the Reds have been moving towards will be key to success in Europe.

The experience of the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz and Nikola Milenkovic in European competition will undoubtedly help the manager, who obviously knows a thing or two about the Europa League.

The next few games will not decide the season for Forest but they will certainly go a long way to steering the narrative at the City Ground and ensuring Postecoglou receives a warm reception on Saturday.

We're already into the unknown - we're all just hoping the ship is steadied and set in the right direction again.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Image source, Getty Images

"I remember the ball coming down to my side and as its bounced I saw the left-hand side of the goal gaping, so I knew I had to put it there."

It was a goal that went on to become iconic, and over 30 years later, Paul McGregor still remembers every tiny detail of how the ball hit the back of the Lyon net to send Nottingham Forest through to the quarter-final of the Uefa Cup in November 1995.

"It is incredible," the now 50-year-old told BBC East Midlands Today. "I was around Nottingham Forest for a long time, but not necessarily always in the first team, so what amazes me is how much the goal resonates with Forest fans.

"I've always seen it as [just] a goal. Yes, it was in Europe, but you don't realise what memories are wrapped around it and how iconic it would become. It astounds me what a moment in time can mean to people.

"I can remember going to all the [cup] away games and being on the bench, but you always want to get on and make an impact.

"The home game against Lyon had just stagnated and the boss [Frank Clark] wanted to shake it up, so he threw me and Bobby Howe on. It caused chaos.

"I was desperate to make an impact so I knew that if Stuart Pearce missed the penalty, then I would be on it. Yes, there was a bit of encroachment with my run but I don't think you will ever see a player wanting a rebound so much!

"I remember it coming down to my side and as it's bounced I saw the left-hand side of the goal gaping so I knew I had to put it there.

"I remember it so clearly. It was an indescribable feeling.

"I loved getting to the fans and looking up to see 20 of my mates going mental. That's one of the best things about being a local lad and doing something special."

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Early mornings in airports are always places full of excitement and optimism, with the prospect of explorations and discovering new places to come.

The Forest fans going through security at Birmingham Airport have waited a long time for this particular trip. Some 30 years, in fact.

Nigel, a fan from Nottingham, told me he only came back from a holiday in Seville three weeks ago but wasn't about to turn down the chance to fly back to the same place and see his beloved club play their first match in European competition for three decades.

A Real Betis team with plenty of European experience and a 70,000-seater stadium awaits, in what could prove to be Forest's most difficult game in the league phase.

Colin Fray, Steve Hodge and I will bring you all the news from the news conference later on BBC Radio Nottingham (1800-1900 BST) and, of course, we'll be on the radio on Wednesday night as well for the game itself. Join us from 18:00 for that.

Right, time to board.

Come back to this page later for all the key lines from Ange Postecoglou's news conference

Are you heading out to Spain? We'd love you to get in touch here with your stories and picture from your travels