News & Updates

05.04.2026

HAPPY EASTER FROM NFDSA

Nottingham forest disabled supporters association wish everyone a very happy easter.

17.03.2026

Unite for Access at the City Ground

On Sunday at the City Ground before KO against Fulham Nottingham forest and members of the NFDSA celibrated Unite for Access National Campaign, a message was put up on the big screens and read out by the club, this was in partnership with Level Playing Field and Unite for Access members, our Chair Lindsay Knott was interview pitch side by Mark Dennison along with a few other committee members including other members of NFDSA, the DSA is here for all and is against any kind od abuse both verbally or otherwise, you do not have to be disabled to become a member, for further details if you wish to know more please email Lindsay at forestdsachairperson@gmail.com pictures of this can bee seen on the galleries page.

09.03.2026

NFDSA Members recently received their NFDSA Membership Update

It included Information about Unite For Action Campaign, an Introduction from NFFC new Disability Access Officer ( DAO ) , NFDSA Annual General Meeting and an Opportunity to share thoughts about Season cards 206/27 ahead of NFDSA Chairperson attending the Fans Advisory Board FAB Meeting to discuss them this week.

If you would like to receive regular Updates about our work , opportunities for consultation and advance notice of activities , please Join us It's FREE .

 This is the link Membership Form

Members update

Welcome to the first NFDSA Members Update of 2026.This follows on from the Updates previously sent to all Contacts, but with the launch of our NFDSA Membership in September 2025, it has been decided that, from the AGM in January 2026, Updates will only be sent to Members.

In this Members Update

• 1. Unite for Access - NFDSA and NFFC taking part in National Campaign 15th March 2026 

• 2. Introducing new Disability Access Officer (DAO) Tom Padden

• 3. NFDSA Annual General Meeting 24th January 2026

• 4. Level Playing Field Regional Forum 4th February 2026

• 5. Ongoing day to day information and support

• 6. Season Card 2026/7 Renewals - thoughts please 

1. Unite for Access – NFDSA and NFFC taking part together in National Campaign

NFDSA are delighted to be active participants in the 2026 Unite for Access Campaign, organised by Level Playing Field. The annual celebration of access and inclusion for disabled sports fans runs from February 28 to March 15, with events set to take place at more than 100 clubs and venues.

This year’s theme is ‘ Acquired Disabilities’.The Charity’s Patron, Roy Hodgson, unveiled the official campaign film which shows how disability has changed the match days of the fans featured. “I am sure this year’s film will resonate with disabled and non-disabled fans, as it really gets to the heart of experiencing live sport, which is so important to so many of us.“

To watch the Film go to

https://youtu.be/LztQ2Tc3wXU

This is Audio Described and includes a British Sign Language Interpreter; see also

Accessible formats for 'Unite For Access' 2026 campaign film – Level Playing Field

and the Transcript can be downloaded here Unite-For-Access-2026-–-campaign-film-transcript.pdf

Nottingham Forest DSA, NFFC and Unite for Access at the City Ground

You may recognise NFDSA Chairperson in the Campaign Film, taking part in filming at Meadow Lane on 22nd November 2025 with our friends Laura from Notts County DSA and Mark from Fulham DSA.Our match against Fulham on 15th March has been designated as NFDSA and NFFC Day to Celebrate Unite For Access 

We have been working together to organise a range of promotional and publicity activities which will start in the week running up to the game and we will culminate on matchday.

We will be sending more information, but in the meantime if you have any questions please email forestdsachairperson@gmail.com

2. Introducing our new Disability Access Officer (DAO) Tom Padden

NFDSA are pleased to welcome our new Disability Access Officer, who replaces Ericka Williams. We have already started working with Tom to organise Unite For Access and look forward to continuing the constructive relationship we have had with his predecessors, and other Club Staff.

My name is Tom Padden and I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new EDI Lead and Disability Access Officer at Nottingham Forest FC.

I’ve recently joined the Club from Lincolnshire Football Association, where I was the Football Development Manager. My core area of responsibility there was disability and inclusion, working to improve access to the game, grow participation opportunities, and ensure football environments were welcoming, safe and equitable for everyone.

In my new role at Forest, I’m passionate about continuing that work, ensuring that disabled supporters have the best possible match day experience, meaningful opportunities to shape our approach, and confidence that accessibility is embedded across the Club. I’m really looking forward to working closely with the Disabled Supporters Association, listening to your experiences, and building on the positive work already in place.

Thank you for welcoming me, and I’m excited to get started “.

To contact Tom, email thomas.padden@nottinghamforest.co.uk

3. NFDSA Annual General Meeting, 24th January, 2026 at the  Garibaldi Lounge, City Ground.

Official Business - Review of 2025 and Election of  2026 Committee 

Thank you to all fans and club staff who attended.

The Annual Report provided information about NFDSA's development (including membership, Disabled Fans and Carers Survey, Website) and the wide range of our work with The Club and other organisations around Accessibility and Match Day Experience, Training and Awareness, Connection and Community (for example our Socials and Magic Moments), Feedback and Consultation and the Wider Context (with other DSAs, Premier League and level Playing Field).

We shared feedback about the impact of NFDSA, from fans and staff

“Without watching Forest I would struggle so thanks for the NFDSA for being there”.

“Makes disabled fans feel like more of a part of the club’

“The NFDSA is a voice that is heard by the Club and clear progress is being made”

“The NFDSA has helped me when trying to sort out tickets for home matches

“NFDSA Socials are a regular chance to build friendships, share tips and experiences, and feel part of the Forest family in a way that’s relaxed and supportive. It’s a brilliant mix of community, laughter, and belonging “.

“Working with the NFDSA has been incredibly rewarding -seeing initiatives like welfare steward training, the lanyard scheme and ear defenders come to life….The commitment, passion and genuine care for disabled supporters made the time I spent with the DSA both impactful and inspiring” Ericka Williams , Disability Access Officer

“Working alongside the NFDSA has been invaluable across the last 12

months...always being a phone call away as a

 sounding board, and on the back of various changes. Whilst we

understand that there is still lots of work to be done, 

we will always continue to work in a positive and constructive manner with

the NFDSA “ . Billy Thompson, Ticket Office Manager

A Financial Report was presented.

The 2025 Committee was thanked and the 2026 Committee elected:

Chair                               Lindsay Knott

Treasurer                        Jo Pascoe

Membership Secretary   Ben Whitmarsh

Social Media Officers     Claire Groom and Clare Storer

Website Officer               Phil Harrison

Committee members      Debbie Hogg, Chris Hall, Matt Chappell, Geoff Pickance, Helen Brown , Jackie Tattershall .

A full Report is available upon request from forestdsachairperson@gmail.com

Accessible Stadia and Development of The City Ground

Liam Bird , Fan Engagement Manager with Level Playing Field gave a short presentation about Accessible Stadia , Edition 2 due out very soon. “ It establishes the benchmark which all sporting events should meet and presents a roadmap for how attending can be made accessible to everyone. It sets out the legal requirements and offers principles and practical guidance relevant to clubs, governing bodies and venue operators at every level, whether professional or grass roots, across all sports’ . EHRLICH Forward

Will D’Hooghe, NFFC Head of Fan Engagement talked about the Club’s appreciation of NFDSA and the value of working together, before a short introduction to the Stadium Redevelopment, and those present were able to look at the visual presentations.

4. Level Playing Field Regional Forum 4th February 2026

Six members of NFDSA attended the Level Playing Field (LPF) Regional Forum at Meadow Lane,  along with fans and staff from 10 other DSAs and clubs from across four leagues.

A sneak short snippet  preview of the  LPF Unite for Access 2026 Campaign Video kicked off the day, followed by presentations and discussions about Accessible Stadia Edition 2, EFL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work including disability, Reporting an Issue to LPF and a very useful exercise on how to encourage more fans and carers to join a DSA.

It was also great to catch up with our previous Disability Access Officers – Eamon Collins and Ericka Williams, now at other clubs, and meet Forest's new DAO Tom Pennant, and Luke Timson from the Club Ticket Office Accessibility Team. 

We came away with lots of ideas and Actions! 

Thank you to all at Notts County DSA and Club and Level Playing Field 

Notts County host Midlands Forum for the first time – Level Playing Field

5. Ongoing day to day enquiries, information and support and socials

NFDSA continue to respond to enquiries and requests for information, and to support disabled fans and carers as well as being proactive in communication with The Club – all with the aim of improving accessibility and the match day experience, home and away. Recently this has included parking (as we know an ongoing issue) and European Matches – having been contacted by Aston Villa DSA and Level Playing Field regarding wheelchair users being caged at Fenerbache, we contacted The Club and worked together so that Forest fans had an alternative. We also work with Football Supporters Europe.

Our first two Socials of the year took place in January and February and it was great to see ‘ regulars’ and new faces “just to say thank you for this morning it was nice to meet you all and I will be making every effort to attend the next meeting …..just sitting there talking football was great and it took my mind away from things’.

NFDSA Socials take place on the last Wednesday of the Month, at the Trent Bridge Inn on Radcliffe Road, from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm.The next one is Wednesday 25th March.

6. Season Cards for the 2026/27 Season - Your thoughts please 

It's come to that time of year again ! The NFDSA Chairperson will be attending the NFFC Fans Advisory Board Meeting on Wednesday 11th March to discuss Season Cards for the 2026 / 27 season .

And finally

As with all that NFDSA does, your views are really important .

If you have any questions or thoughts or would like to get involved , please email forestdsachairperson@gmail.com

See more on our website www.nfdsa.org.uk

or follow us on our social media 

Facebook: Nottingham Forest DSA (Disabled Supporters Association 

Twitter: @NFFCDSA – Nottingham Forest Disabled Supporters Association 

Instagram: nffcdsa - Nottingham Forest DSA 

01.03.2026

Unite for access 2026 at the City Ground

On Sunday 15th March NFDSA & NFFC will be marking Unite for Access at the City Ground at our home game against Fulham, Unite for Access 2026 launched by Roy Hodgson - Level Playing Field, more information to follow https://levelplayingfield.org.uk

21.02.2026

Monthly Social Get Together

Nottingham Forest Disabled Supporters Association

Wednesday 25th February 2026 begins at 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Back Room, Trent Bridge Inn (TBI)

Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AA

Disabled Access

Buses for Trent Bridge stop just round the corner.

Come and join us in a friendly , relaxed environment.

Meet other fans and friends old and new, chat about Forest and

other topics and share any comments and ideas with NFDSA

Committee members. NFFC Club staff also in attendance.

All welcome we Look Forward to seeing you.

NFDSA Socials take place the last Wednesday of each month.

The next is Wednesday 25th March 2026

For more information, contact forestdsachairperson@gmail.com

11.02.2026

Ahead of Nottingham Forest's UEFA Europa League play-off first leg tie fixture next week, we are pleased to share the comprehensive Supporters’ Guide for all Forest supporters travelling to Istanbul. 

This guide provides full details on the mandatory buses that will transport Nottingham Forest fans from the meeting point at Sultanahmet Square, timings and location of the ticket collection point, the strict regulations around flags, medicinal needs and what will be confiscated at the stadium, along with key information around the host city and its cultures.

Supporters will also find guidance on accessibility information for disabled supporters and the away sector, general matchday advice, advice from the British Consulate in Turkey, and contact details for the Fan Engagement Team while in Turkey.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, supporters are encouraged to contact our Supporter Liaison Officer, Alex Tatner, at alex.tatner@nottinghamforest.co.uk.

05.02.2026

Level Playing Field Regional Forum

Yesterday 4th February at Meadow Lane Level Playing Feild (LPF) held its latest forum event, along with fans and staff from 10 different DSAs and clubs from across 4 leagues, a sneak short preview of the LPF Unite for acces 2026 campaign video started off the day, this was follwed by presentations and discussions about Accessibility Stadia Edition 2, EFL Equality, Diversity and inclusion work including disability, reporting an issue to LPF and a very useful exercise on how to encourage more fans and carers to join a DSA.

Lindsay Knott

Chairperson , Nottingham Forest DSA