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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Olimpia Zagnat

Avid Forest fan from Aspley launches appeal to help out Nottingham venue after football fans' violent attack

Avid Forest fans will gather at a Nottingham pub to show their support after the venue was smashed up by violent fans.

It comes as a violent mob of Leicester City fans hurled chairs, tables and bottles in one of several flashpoints before the club were knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon (February 6).

Customers at Fat Cat on Chapel Bar in the city centre said that distressed families, including crying children, were inside the venue when the attack happened.

Right after the incident, Harry Kohil, owner of Fat Cat, said the attack "was uncalled for" and that they are "assessing the damage at the minute".

But determined fans of The Reds decided to step it up.

Conor Roberts, a self-proclaimed avid supporter of Nottingham Forest for at least ten years, is now trying to help the venue cover their damage costs.

It all started when the 28-year-old telecom engineer from Aspley posted a tweet on Sunday night, asking his followers if they should "pack out" Fat Cat before Nottingham's game against Stoke on Saturday (February 12).

He told Nottinghamshire Live: "I was not quite expecting the level of attention it got.

"I was taken aback by the support from all the Forest fans."

The post soon gained almost 1,000 likes and over 100 retweets, with Forest fan-led campaign group Forza Garibaldi also promoting the initiative.

Mr Roberts added: "I started ringing bars round, Cross Keys and Fat Cat managers to see if they would be interested to take part.

"Cross Keys have politely declined, because they are expecting a big number of football supporters on Saturday anyway."

While the Fat Cat venue usually opens at midday, they will open at 10am to welcome fans.

Mr Roberts went on and said: "We will try to get as many Forest fans down there as they are happy with to help raise funds for their restaurant.

"I am anticipating that there would be around 200 people attending."

Asking about what determined him to do this, the Forest fan said he just "hates football hooliganism and violence".

He added: "Football got a bad reputation lately - together we can change that."

Harry Kohil, owner of Fat Cat, said: "We are so grateful and touched by the immense support from the people of Nottingham and Forest fans."

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