The great thing about having a Nottingham club in each of the lower divisions is that it doesn’t matter how bad we are, a trip to Hooters is guaranteed. Of course there’s already plenty of info on the message board about this phenomenon of an away pub that has captured the hearts and wallets of many a travelling Saddler over the years, so there’s not really much to add, other than to say that the great thing about Meadow Lane is that its nearer to the bar itself!. From the station simply head straight down Station St. and across London Road and you can’t miss it, the ground is basically just further down London Road.

Generally speaking of course Nottingham is a good day out pub wise, although surprisingly for some reason I always find the Notts trip somewhat more tetchy than that to Forest, and although always worth a visit for real-ale and greasy spoon breakfast, the Cattle Market Inn adjacent to Meadow Lane was somewhat tense last time around with locals objecting to Walsall songs and bouncers looking a bit overwhelmed.

Likewise The Trent Navigation, and The Magpie near the ground are nothing to write home about save for their convenient proximity, but since its refurbishment The Globe is probably the pick of the bunch for variety and atmosphere, and was excellent before The Forest game last season.

Near the Station I’ve always had a soft spot for The Bentinck Hotel, a paragon of 1970’s eccentricity, although in the likelihood you’ll want something a bit more conventional then the Vat and Fiddle (exit left and walk 100 yards) offers real ale from a brewery tap, a plethora of foreign beers and outdoor seating.

If you can tear yourself away from Hooters, or more likely, can’t get in then there is beer for sale within the stadium although the actual supporters club doesn’t admit away fans. For some reason last time I ended up in a Mersonesque windowless bar in the ground with all the players’ wives, but stick to the main concourse for the usual overpriced lager would be my advice!

One question I always ask myself when drinking prior to visiting the oldest club in the world. Who did they used to play??

(I’d add one more to Geordie’s list, by the way, in the shape of the Victoria at Beeston - and I’m not a CAMRA Investements Shareholder. Perfect for a pre or after match meal, it’s quite frankly, one of the top five pubs I’ve ever been in. Web site is:

http://www.victoriabeeston.co.uk/)