Whilst Nottingham might not be notorious for its football, there are three main football clubs in the county that are great to support. The most famous, of course, is Nottingham Forest FC, but if you feel like supporting a club that is more local to where you live, or is perhaps not as big, then read on to learn more about the main football clubs in Nottingham.
Nottingham Forest Football Club
West Bridgford, Nottingham
One of the most famous football clubs in Nottingham is Nottingham Forest. Commonly referred to as Forest, this football club was founded in 1865 and is currently competing in the EFL Championship. The club’s official colour is red, and its fiercest rivalry is with Derby County. Nottingham Forest has mostly competed in the top two tiers of football since it was founded, with the exception of playing a few seasons in the third tier. During the 1970s and 1980s, Forest had its most successful period when the team won the European Cup twice consecutively, in 1979 and 1980. Evangelos Marinakis currently owns the football club, since 2017, and the current manager is Chris Hughton, who used to manage Brighton FC. Hughton’s first game as manager was in October 2020, and the club won 1-0 against Blackburn Rovers. Since 1898, Nottingham Forest has used City Ground in Bridgford as its home stadium. The football club hasn’t played in the Premier League since 1999, but despite this, they are still the main and biggest of all football clubs in Nottingham.
Notts County FC
Meadow Lane, Nottingham
Founded in 1862, Notts County, or ‘The Magpies’, is the oldest professional football club in the world. The Nottingham football club became one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888, and its club colours are black and white. The team currently plays in the National League, which is the fifth tier. Notts County Football Club’s home ground has been Meadow Lane since 1910, and the club also has local rivalries with Nottingham Forest, as well as Mansfield Town. Notts County FC was quite successful in the 20th century, but more recently has had trouble. In 2017, The Magpies set a new club record of 10 successive defeats, and in May 2019, the club was relegated from the Football League altogether for the first time since it opened. In August 2020, the team came close to regaining its Football League status but instead lost 3-1 against Harrogate Town. Hopefully, soon Notts Country will have another attempt at regaining its former glory.
Radford FC
Selhurst Street, Radford
Radford FC is nicknamed ‘The Pheasants’ and the team plays in the East Midlands Counties. The football club in Nottingham was established in 1964 as a Sunday League side and in 1977 became the first amateur club to feature adverts on its players’ shirts. Radford FC became champions of the East Midlands Regional League Division One in 1983, and by 2006 the football club won the Central Midlands League Floodlit Cup. In 2015/16 the club had a successive run of 19 unbeaten games and finished second in the EMCL. Whilst this may not be the biggest football club in Nottingham, it is certainly on the rise and one that Nottingham locals should support.
Dunkirk FC
Ron Steel Sports Ground, Dunkirk
Dunkirk is an amateur football club based in Dunkirk, Nottingham. The club was founded in 1946 and currently competes in the East Midlands Counties League, which is the tenth tier of English football. The Nottingham football club has enjoyed several successful periods throughout its history. In the 1960s, the club won multiple league titles and cup competitions in the Notts Senior League. In the 1970s, Dunkirk joined the Central Midlands League and won several divisional titles, including the Premier Division title in the 1981-82 season. In recent years, Dunkirk has continued to compete at a high level in the East Midlands Counties League. In the 2019-20 season, the club finished in second place in the league table, just two points behind the champions, Sherwood Colliery.
Dunkirk’s home ground is the Ron Steel Sports Ground, which is located on Lenton Lane in Nottingham. The ground has a capacity of around 1,500 spectators and features a modern clubhouse and facilities for players and supporters.
Carlton Town
Bill Stokeld Stadium, Gedling
Carlton Town was founded in 1904 and currently competes in the Northern Premier League Division One South East, which is the eighth tier of English football. The club’s home ground is the Bill Stokeld Stadium, which has a capacity of around 3,000 spectators. Carlton Town has a rich history of success, having won multiple league titles and cup competitions in the Central Midlands League and the East Midlands Counties League.
Basford United
Another of Nottingham football clubs that dates back quite far – Basford United was founded in 1900 and currently competes in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. This is the seventh tier of English football. The club’s home ground is Greenwich Avenue, which has a capacity of around 3,500 spectators. Basford United has a loyal fanbase and has enjoyed several successful seasons in recent years, including reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup in the 2018-19 season.
Nottingham is a great city for sport, not just its football clubs. But football is one of the things it is most famous for. Check out the other things Nottingham is known for.
