Nottingham Forest are set to create a mixed zone that will house both sets of young fans and their families when Doncaster Rovers visit the City Ground later this month.

The game on Saturday November 28th will see the lower tier of the Brian Clough stand, used usually as a buffer between home and away fans, transformed into a desegregated family zone that will house around 900 fans from both sides.

Forest are trialling the mixed zone as part of The Football League's 'Enjoy the Match' campaign, a project being exercised at all 72 clubs designed to eradicate foul language and abusive behaviour from family areas of grounds.

And the club believes that this could be the first step in a long road to creating completely integrated stadia where, as demonstrated in most rugby and cricket fixtures, all fans enjoy the match from all areas of the ground.

"This is the first step of a marathon," admitted Nottingham Forest's Safety Officer, Alan Bexon. "We could get to the stage that if it works well in five, 10 or 15 years time young fans will have grown up surrounded by opposition supporters to the extent that we no longer require segregation.

"Football needs something like that, it won't be easy but we have to believe that it is achievable."

Families wishing to attend can purchase an inclusive ticket for just £25 that will gain two adults and two children entry to the game, whilst additional children can be added for as little as £2.50.

The tier, known in-house as T-block, will be completely impervious to other fans and Bexon hopes that the tie with Doncaster will be the first of many occasions where family supporters can unite to watch football.

"We have this area that we can keep completely blocked-off and that can't be infiltrated," added Bexon.

"So why not use it for both sets of fans?

"Often supporters meet fans of other teams on holiday and then when their sides play each other will meet up before the game and have a meal. But why can't they sit together during the match?

"We are also opening it up for younger fans, usually under fours are not permitted to attend but that will now change with this new area. There will be jugglers and face painters in the stand and the half-time entertainment will be focused towards this area.

"Doncaster seemed like the obvious choice because in the last few seasons we have had no problems with their fans, they are all very well behaved.

"But we will still manage it well with absolutely zero-tolerance but the stewards have been hand-picked for this section of the stands. They will not be wearing the typical yellow high-visibility jackets but instead white bibs with 'Forest Helper' marked on them."

The proposed block has its own designated turnstile, toilets and lounge facilities whilst the concourse under the stand can be completely separated from the rest of the concourse. The club will be taking careful precautions to ensure that each group of people entering do have children with them.

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