About Us

Nottingham Forest Disabled Supporters Association ( DSA) : Who we are and what we do

Nottingham Forest DSA  is an officially recognised NFFC Supporter Group run for and by fans with diverse disabilities and carers. 

Developed by committed fans and supported by Level Playing Field and The Club, it had its first open meeting at the City Ground in April 2022 and a Steering Group was set up. NFDSA was officially launched at the home game with Everton on 5th March 2023, the Club dedicating the Match to us.  

NFDSA aims “To work independently and in partnership with Nottingham Forest Football Club to promote awareness and seek equality for all Nottingham Forest Supporters with a visible or hidden disability“.

Our objectives are 

• To enable members to share a collective interest in Nottingham Forest Football Club

• To enhance the match day experience for all supporters with a disability, both at Home and Away grounds by promoting understanding, respect and recommending measures for improvement.

• To collect, collate and communicate the experiences, views, ideas and concerns of Nottingham Forest supporters with disabilities.

• To promote the welfare of Nottingham Forest DSA members by encouraging and facilitating the sharing of information and good practice with The Club, and other interested organisations

• To represent disabled supporters of Nottingham Forest in their dealings with The Club, primarily through regular meetings with the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO)

• To support disabled fans of The Club to travel to away matches, by providing information where possible.

• To work with The Club to ensure current and future developments at the City Ground are fully accessible, and follow best practice

• To arrange information and/or social events that will bring together members, fans, the Club and the community.

• To further develop links with other Disabled Supporters Associations (DSAs), Level Playing Field and other organisations, as appropriate, for the benefit of all disabled football supporters.

• To promote a positive image of people with disabilities, their value and 

To see the full Constitution go to the Constitution Page 

How we are run 

NFDSA Management Committee is responsible for the day to day running of NFDSA in line with it's Aims and Objectives and Code of Conduct. It comprises of up to 12 Members, elected at the Annual General Meeting, AGM 

The elected Management Committee for 2025 is

Chair - Lindsey Knott

Treasurer - Jo Pascoe

Membership Secretary - Ben Whitmarsh

Social Media - Claire Groom & Clare Storer

Website Officer - Phil Harrison

Social Events Organizers - Geoff Pickance, Jo Pascoe

Committee Members - Matt Chappell, Jackie Tatt, Anne Sharp, Helen Brown, Doug Coote

What we do 

NFDSA work with fans, carers , NFFC and the community - assisting individuals with specific issues, providing information, raising awareness and understanding amongst Forest Staff and fans, working together to find practical solutions, and organising social and other activities.

Club staff that we regularly work with include – Disability Access Officer (DAO) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead; Ticket Office Manager and Access Team; Head of Safety and Security; Head of Safeguarding; Matchday Welfare Team and Stewards; Head of Fan Engagement and Fan Engagement Officer/Supporter Liaison Officer and Dedicated Police Officer.

This includes 

• Promoting NFDSA and sharing information about our work and progress with fans, The Club and the wider community . This includes our business cards and appearing each home game on the Match Day Big Screen; we have appeared several times in Match Day Programmes, which are purchased and also sent digitally to all season card holders.

• Communicating information, events and asking for views through our Social Media and regular email Updates 

• Responding to enquiries and requests from disabled fans and carers: Home, Away, Wembley and Online Ticketing; Memberships; Disabled Parking; Away Travel; Legends Lounge – Removal of Glass, Price increases; Changes to Q Block; Introduction of Extra Rows in Brian Clough Lower Stand; Relocation of the Big Screens and the Tannoy System.

• Improving Ticketing Procedures and Support: Introduction of Online Ticketing Facility for Carers; Development of procedures for FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley, Mandatory Online Digital Ticketing Provision for Disabled Fans, Ticket Office Workshop, Improved Information and Club Disability Hub on website

• Providing information, support and liaising with Club Staff: Updated Access Guide, Articles in Matchday Programme including Disability Awareness Month in December 2024

•  Disability Abuse – face to face and online: Supporting fans and carers, and working with The Club, Police and Level Playing Field; Raising awareness with NFFC and fans

•  Improved Accessibility and Facilities at City Ground: Hooks in disabled toilets, emergency cords in disabled toilets, hearing defenders, audio commentary in Museum. Accessibility Feedback – Stadium Tour and Museum, Disabled Entrances, Testing new interactive headsets for the partially sighted with Seeing Solutions and Pocklington Trust.

• NFFC Staff Training: Disability Awareness Training & Information Handouts for Welfare Team, Stewards & Casual Staff, and training as part of Mental Health Awareness Week

• Monthly Socials: Last Wednesday of each month, Trent Bridge Inn. 10.30am until 12.30pm. Informal meetings in the back room of the TBI, just pop in. Special Summer Event and Social at the City Ground 

• Engage disabled fans and carers in consultation – NFDSA Survey, Ticketing Survey with NF Supporters Trust; Club Surveys and Level Playing Field Annual Fans Survey, National Audio Commentary Study

• Nottingham Forest Fans Advisory Board - NFDSA are one of seven Fans Groups Represented on The Nottingham Forest Fans Advisory Board which engages fans on a more Strategic Level . 

For more information  https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/your-club/fan-engagement/

• Increased the visibility and inclusion of disabled fans and carers in Club Initiatives and Promotions: 2024-25 Season Promotional Video – You are My Forest; 2025 Calendar; Nuno March Manager of the Month Award.

• Active involvement in Networks – Premier League Disability Working Group, Level Playing Field including Unite For Access Annual Nationwide Event.

• Initiatives with other organisations – Mansfield Museum, The Beautiful Game: Football and Inclusion exhibition. Add in Football Together with Nottingham Forest Community Trust 

• Responding to requests from local and national media - Radio Nottingham Interview with Notts County DSA and an Article in The Athletic