Afgelopen zaterdag. Nottingham Forest - Antwerp 2-2. Niet zozeer de match, maar absoluut wel de fans hebben (alweer) indruk gemaakt ! 2 Engelse reacties. Phil Wormall schreef: "I hope you do not mind me sending you this email , I was given your contact details by Nottingham Forest. I was at the game on Saturday and in all the years I have been watching Football and following my team I have never experienced fans like yours , the supporters were truly brilliant , a real example to all of us in English football , for sure I have met supporters who behave themselves well at our ground and show good humour at times , but your fans from the moment they arrived sat the City Ground were singing loud and proud for their team and much to my surprise , they started singing my teams anthems , and from way back in our history . At first I thought they were joking around , but when they applauded my team when WE scored , I realised I was watching something special here , something different , something the English game has forgotten , that something was RESPECT and how to genuinely enjoy yourselves in a pre-season game. The respect Royal Antwerp showed for my team and for my Club was nothing short of brilliant, you guys have made a lot of new fans in Nottingham and not only are you most welcome in my City anytime but I will be looking out for Royal Antwerp results in the future. Many Forest fans feel the same way , it was the topic of conversation after the game. I wish you all the very best for the new season and thank you for showing us what true supporters are. I had to send you this email, I do not send emails out like this, Football to me has always been rivalry, your team showed me something more, much more. I would like to toast Royal Antwerp, and send the best of luck to the best supporters I have ever seen.", waarvoor uiteraard onze hartelijke dank. Dean Walton stuurde ons volgende aanmoedigende woorden: "I hope you do not mind me contacting you. I received your email address via Nottingham Forest PR Dept. I have been a lifelong supporter of Nottingham Forest and hold a season ticket, together with my Son and Father. On Saturday, I was absolutely amazed at the number of travelling Royal Antwerp fans. I met them travelling down Meadow Lane to walk over the bridge and the atmosphere was terrific. It felt like the good old days of Europe. I must congratulate each and every fan for their impeccable behaviour and truly remarkable support and noise generated throughout the game. I was very humbled by the whole experience, particularly the “Forest” songs that the away fans were singing and the way that the fans applauded throughout…..even the Forest goals. The whole experience was one I have never witnessed before and it felt like a truly family atmosphere. It was such a shame that more Forest fans did not turn out to witness a truly wonderful day. The travelling Royal Antwerp fans are an absolute credit to your team and I found myself wishing for the game to end in a draw as a mark of respect (not a usual wish I may add!). I wanted to contact you because everyone I talked to after the match had the same opinion in that the away fans had very much taught us how to enjoy the game and truly show support for their team whilst respecting their opponents…congratulations, I have never felt so humbled. I am now a converted long distance Royal Antwerp fan and will look out for your continuing success. Best of luck for the forthcoming season, and once again thank you for renewing my faith in true fans of the beautiful game!"
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 22:39:02 +0000