Nottingham Forest Considers Memorial for Hillsborough Disaster Victims

Nottingham Forest is contemplating the installation of a commemorative memorial at the City Ground to honor the individuals who lost their lives in the tragic Hillsborough disaster, as proclaimed by the club’s chairman, Tom Cartledge.

The calamity occurred during an FA Cup semi-final in 1989, resulting in the demise of 97 Liverpool supporters, prompting a group of Forest aficionados who were present at the match to advocate for a permanent tribute.

Cartledge expressed openness to engaging with these supporters, stating, I’d be delighted to sit down with those individuals and understand what that should mean and what it could look like, during an interview with the BBC Sounds podcast, Hillsborough Unheard: Nottingham Forest Fans.

The Forest chairman emphasized the importance of reflecting on existing memorials at Anfield and Hillsborough, acknowledging that if supporters propose the idea, the club would gladly consider it.

Forest has previously paid respects to the victims by leaving 97 seats unoccupied when they faced Liverpool in the FA Cup in 2022, covering them with a special memorial banner instead.

While no Forest fans perished in the Hillsborough disaster, approximately 28,000 were present in the stadium to witness the tragic events unfold.

Members of a support network established by Liverpool fans called the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance extended trauma counseling to Nottingham Forest supporters who were traumatized by the incident. A Nottingham branch of the HSA has since been established.

Among those who received assistance was Martin Peach, a former 12-year-old Forest fan present at Hillsborough, who has taken part in commemorations at the Hillsborough memorial at Anfield.

Brian Laws, a former Forest defender who played in the match canceled at Hillsborough, stated that the club should have acknowledged the tragedy earlier, stressing the unity displayed on that fateful day.

Advocating for an homage at Forest’s stadium, Liverpool fan and HSA vice-chair, Diane Lynn, who narrowly escaped the deadly crush at Hillsborough, believes such a memorial would hold significant meaning for those affected by the disaster.

Cartledge affirmed the club’s commitment to supporting fans who experienced the Hillsborough tragedy, citing existing well-being initiatives and mental health projects, and expressing the club’s readiness to provide additional support as needed.