Forest stand firm

Forest today said they were acting in the best interests of supporters by refusing to move the date of their League One trip to Huddersfield.

The Terriers want to move the match after the Huddersfield Giants Rugby League team made it through to the Challenge Cup final, also on Saturday, August 26.

Huddersfield – who share their stadium with the rugby club – requested to play the game that Tuesday.

But Forest chief executive Mark Arthur believes such a move would be to the detriment of both fans and the Forest team.

‘If the game is played on the Saturday then we will take between 2,500 and 3,000 fans,’ he said. ‘If it is moved to midweek, then far fewer Forest fans would be able to go. We would probably be looking at nearer 500. People would have work commitments and children may not be able to attend either.

‘Football should always be played on a Saturday where possible and I don’t see any reason for moving this match.

‘There is also the footballing issue to consider.

‘If we played the game on Tuesday, we would only have three days rest before we played Chesterfield – who would have benefited from six days rest.

‘The club’s owners may be involved in rugby as well, but it is up to them to decide what their priority is on the day.’

Hudderfield say they will appeal to the Football League if Forest refuse to switch the game – but they are unlikely to have much joy, because they do not have footballing reasons for wanting to make the switch.