Back on the River – Final Update

Wolves, Saturday 16th September 2017

This coming Saturday the boats will once again take to the River Trent. They will depart from close to Trent Bridge from 11:30am onwards with a total of 311 Forest fans on board. And they will return to the same point at around 2:15pm hopefully with the same number!

Each of the four vessels we have chartered will be named in honour of pioneers from NFFC’s early history, chosen with the kind help of Don Wright, the club historian, and his son Steve of the Bandy & Shinty publication. As Forest supporters it is easy to look back to the days of Pearce, Clough and Joe Baker but we have discovered in recent years the wealth of history there truly is at Nottingham Forest. Not only is it at a damn fine football club but it played a big part in the evolution of the game. So in our own little way we’ll use this year’s voyage to pay tribute to a number of perhaps overlooked individuals who helped build our club.

Walter Lymbery – Said by Don Wright to be the ‘true founding father’ of Nottingham Forest. Part of the original group of shinty players who turned their hand to football in the Garibaldi Red.

Samuel ‘Weller’ Widdowson – A true pioneer of the game. Credited with inventing the shin-pad and also helped introduce the short passing style synonymous with Forest to this day.

Horace Pike – 125 years ago Pike became the very first player to score a goal for Forest in the Football League.

Frank & Fred Foreman – Made over 350 appearances for the Reds between them and hold the distinction of being the first brothers to represent the same Football League club and England at the same time. Something that was their achievement alone for almost a century. Frank was part of the victorious 1898 FA Cup team.

The Finalised Plan

In an attempt to make things run a little more smoothly and in response to numerous queries we thought it would be useful to post up some information which those of you joining us on board will need to read.

1 Ahead of the boats departing we will congregate at Southbank (Trent Bridge) from 9am. A breakfast buffet will be served at the cost of £5 per head through the morning. Please be reminded that there is no food available on the boats. Seeing as we’ll eventually split up into four boats it would be good to get everyone together to begin with. It may also help get everyone to the correct boarding points although your tickets will carry all the information you need in this regard. This early meet-up isn’t compulsory by any means and you are more than welcome to make your way straight onto the boats. But make sure you have your tickets first.

2 On the subject of tickets we still have a fair number awaiting collection. You won’t get on the boat without your ticket. To collect your ticket you need to come and find us at Southbank as early as possible, no later than 11am. Boats begin boarding from 11:15am and so you’ll need to leave plenty of time to obtain your ticket and then make your way to the specified departure point.

3 The boarding points vary depending on which boat you are on. The Samuel Widdowson and The Walter Lymbery boats depart from the moorings directly by Trent Bridge outside Brewhouse (old Riverbank) and The Horace Pike and The Foreman are across the river on the steps beneath the Wilford Suspension Bridge. The official sailing time is 11:45am with boarding from 11:30am but please keep in mind that The Walter Lymbery will commence boarding from 11:15am with departure at 11:30am. This is due to only one mooring and the boats having to take it in turns. Please check your ticket and be sure of your boarding point and time.

4 We are still getting endless requests for a place on the boat, so much so we could have probably filled each boat twice over. We would if we could. We do anticipate that a few spaces will come free on the day. Some tickets won’t be collected and some just won’t turn up after a heavy night the night before. In this scenario at a very late stage you might find yourself with an opening. We can obviously offer no guarantees but if you fancy trying to grab a late spot then follow us around in Southbank at 11am.

IF YOU HAVE A TICKET AND FIND YOU CAN’T MAKE IT OR CAN’T BE ARSED PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP. EVEN RIGHT UP TO THE LAST MINUTE.

5 The times stated are fixed and won’t be delayed by a couple of minutes to wait for stragglers. Make sure you are ready to board for the boarding time stated. You have been warned!

6 You’ll need to show your ticket upon boarding. You’ll also be checked off on a guest list at the same time. The bar on each boat will be open as soon as boarding commences.

7 Flags, banners etc are very much encouraged.

8 The duration is 2.5 hours and we will arrive back at the original departure point at around 2:15pm. Much to our bemusement we have received numerous requests from people who are not on board the boats asking about what time we will pass the Trent End on the final leg of the journey. This will be at around 2pm we expect. If it’s a nice day maybe get yourself a couple of cans and watch it all unfold from the banks.

9 After alighting the boats we will look to head somewhere for a last beer before kick- off. The choice is entirely yours and you might be ready to head through the turnstile but we have arranged for an outside bar at the Union Boat Club (in between Southbank and the Trent End) to be set up. We’ll be heading there and invite you all to join us before making our way into the ground.

Should anyone have any queries or issues then please let us know. Otherwise we’ll see you on Saturday in the Southbank or on the boats.

YOU REDS