What an unbelievable season for NFFC, one even the most optimistic of us couldn’t have predicted. European football for the first time since 1996 and another Wembley visit for our first FA Cup semi-final since 1991 made it our finest season for a generation.

I confess to having felt deflated leaving the ground after the Chelsea game but it is a reflection of how far Forest have come that despite being up against far deeper squads and clubs with far greater resources that we were in contention for a Champions League spot on the last day of the season.

The ongoing case with Crystal Palace obviously means we still do not know if it will be the Europa League or Conference League, but we would have all taken this position 12 months ago.

Last season brought back memories of a couple of magical seasons in the mid-1990s when we finished third in the league and reached the UEFA Cup quarterfinals. But so much has changed too.

Games are a much safer – if far more expensive – experience. As fans this means increased ticket prices (£55 the cheapest matchday price for the first game of the season against Brentford). There is more pushing of merchandise, less Saturday 3pm kick-offs, more focus on international markets…

Working in business, I understand the drivers and the need to raise income to compete on a sporting level … it feels like a necessary evil.

At least Forest appears to be finally making progress on the redevelopment of the Main Stand and have ended suggestions of moving to a new stadium outside Nottingham. As well as being crucial for the club financially, more of us will be able to get in!

Certainly, Forest seem to be far more professional now than in the Fawaz era and have learnt quickly since they returned to the Premier League.

The branch continues to evolve, and I would like to acknowledge the committee for their efforts throughout the season. They are all volunteers with busy lives as well as going to watch Forest. Thanks to you all.

A special call-out to Mike Helme who has decided to take a well-earned break after ten years as membership secretary.

Also, this was the first year – and unfortunately also the last as I will go on to discuss later – that tickets were not managed by Steve Moon. It has proved a tough gig to inherit so I would like to thank George Corner for his efforts in very challenging circumstances and Steve for helping during the transition. 

At the start of the season, we made it a priority to grow the community of the London Trickies. We feel we have made strides in this direction with around 100 of you now members of the WhatApp group we set up last autumn.

Among the chat, there are tangible benefits too with more members having been able to access tickets – in particular for the Wembley semi-final and Palace away games – thanks to the relationships made and the generosity of others. It feels as though many new friendships are being developed as a result.

You will have heard about the fuss Forest made of our own legend Steve Moon at the Ipswich home game.

John O’Hare, Nigel Jemson, Paul Anderson and Julian Bennett presented Steve with a signed shirt with ‘Moon 40’ on the back, marking his length of service as chairman. Thanks to Markan for helping to set this up and John for acting as Steve’s bag carrier on the day. Thanks again, Steve.

We have continued to use the Sports Bar & Grill at Marylebone as our home pub for TV games. Again it has been great to see the new connections made. We are in the process of exploring a new Central London location for the coming season – preferably with cheaper drink prices – and any suggestions would be welcomed.

Congratulations to Simon Bayston for winning the Fantasy Premier League for London Trickies members.

Finally onto away tickets where unfortunately, as you will by now know, we have reached the end of an era.

For more than 30 years the branch had unlimited tickets to away tickets. Since promotion that allocation became increasingly restricted.

Unfortunately, the club has taken the decision that this allocation will no longer apply. The only consolation for five of our members, who are also season ticket holders, is that they were offered the chance to join the away members scheme.

For context, 72 of our members who were part of the club’s away membership scheme received at least one ticket through the branch last season with our largest allocation 23 for the FA Cup quarter-final at Brighton.

We are aware of the disappointment this causes so many of us, myself included, who have seen our chances of securing an away ticket greatly reduced.

In light of this, we want to ensure that the London Trickies continue to provide value to Forest fans in London and this will undoubtedly be a point of conversation at the AGM.

To finish on a more positive note, here’s to a wonderful European adventure.

You Reds.

Gary