Supporters have been queuing in torrential rain at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground in a desperate bid to buy tickets for their mouthwatering Carabao Cup match with arch-rivals Derby County.
Tickets went on sale at the ticket office on Friday morning, with fans jamming phone lines and filling the Peter Taylor Stand car park to ensure they see the second round tie on August 27, with 5,000 tickets sold.
There’s expected to be increased demand for tickets after Sky Sports opted against showing the 105th competitive instalment of the East Midlands showdown live on television.
Under the terms of the competition, Derby have requested their full 3,300 allocation in the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand, meaning season ticket holders who usually sit there for Championship games have been forced to move and had until 1pm on Friday (today) to do so.
From Friday afternoon, season ticket holders that are housed elsewhere were able to order their tickets, including using the club’s online portal.
Forest say season ticket holders have until 8am on Tuesday to claim their seat, before they go on sale to other supporters with prices ranging from £5 to £25.
It will be first meeting of the old rivals this season, with the Reds holding the Brian Clough Trophy following February’s 1-0 win at the City Ground.
On that night, ex-Leicester City man Yohan Benalouane scored the winner just 74 seconds in for Martin O’Neill’s Reds to seal bragging rights over Frank Lampard and his side.
This time round, however, both clubs have new men in charge following a busy summer at opposite ends of the Brian Clough Way.
Sabri Lamouchi replaced the sacked Martin O’Neill while former Barcelona midfielder Phillip Cocu took over from Lampard following his move to Chelsea.
Nottinghamshire Live are giving away five free pairs of tickets to the game.
