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NOTTINGHAM FOREST HISTORY
3 September, 1898

City Ground era begins

On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1898 Forest play their first official match at the City Ground.

Stadium and facilities

Stadium opened
The City Ground in West Bridgford, Nottingham, pictured in 1898
The City Ground in West Bridgford, Nottingham, pictured in 1898 Image: Unknown author / Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nottingham Forest played their first official match at the City Ground on 3 September 1898, beginning an association with the stadium that has lasted for well over a century.

Forest had moved across the Trent from the Town Ground, and their new home opened with a First Division match against Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn won 1-0, but the occasion marked the start of a much bigger chapter in the club’s history.

The City Ground in West Bridgford, Nottingham, pictured in 1898
The City Ground in West Bridgford, Nottingham, pictured in 1898 Image: Unknown author / Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Over the decades, the City Ground became the setting for some of Forest’s greatest moments. League championships, European Cup campaigns, promotions, relegations and countless memorable matches have all unfolded beside the River Trent. It also staged matches during Euro 96.

More than a stadium, the City Ground became part of Forest’s identity and part of the matchday lives of generations of supporters. The ground seen by fans today has changed enormously since 1898, but Forest have remained rooted beside the Trent ever since that first match against Blackburn.

City Ground History

Sources

The City Ground; ZeroZero; Nottingham Forest historical records

Forest timeline

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Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 3–0 Blackburn
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Vitória SC 1–1 Nottingham Forest
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Portimonense 1–2 Nottingham Forest Sporting CP 4–1 Nottingham Forest
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Udinese 1–0 Nottingham Forest Barcelona 1–0 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 2–1 Bayer Leverkusen
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Nottingham Forest 2–0 Stade Brestois 29
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Leeds
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Nottingham Forest 0–2 Leeds
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Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham
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Aston Villa 1–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry
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Crystal Palace 14:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 16:30 Arsenal
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Ipswich 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Brentford 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 17:30 Manchester City
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Bournemouth 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Chelsea
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Hull City 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brighton
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Sunderland 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Everton
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Manchester United 16:30 Nottingham Forest
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Newcastle 19:30 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Fulham
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Nottingham Forest 19:30 Hull City
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Manchester City 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Bournemouth
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Chelsea 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brentford
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Fulham 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Manchester United
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Everton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Newcastle
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Tottenham 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Aston Villa
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Leeds 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Liverpool
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Sunderland
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Brighton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Crystal Palace
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Arsenal 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Ipswich
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Coventry 16:00 Nottingham Forest
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On this day in …
1898
City Ground era begins

Nottingham Forest played their first official match at the City Ground on 3 September 1898, beginning an association with the stadium that has lasted…

Stadium and facilities