Explained: Why Nottingham Forest fans hate being called Notts Forest

It’s the phrase that arguably annoys fans of Nottingham Forest the most, when the Reds are referred to as ‘Notts’ – simply mention that to them and you’re likely to be on the wrong end of a tongue lashing at the very least.

Much to their annoyance, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has often referred to the Reds as Notts, but opted to apologise when using the annoying term once more, while old foes Leeds United regularly print that on their tickets and matchday programmes when facing the Reds at Elland Road.

Speaking on an edition of Sky Sports' Football Show, the ex-Liverpool defender was reminiscing about Forest’s 1-0 over Hamburg to secure their second successive European Cup triumph on what was the 40th anniversary whilst praising the "special" job legendary boss Brian Clough did.

“The biggest thing I always feel when you talk about Notts Forest, I mean, Nottingham Forest, I apologise to Forest fans, they don’t like that – Nottingham Forest, is the that they’ve won more European Cups than League titles."

But why do Reds fans get their back up so much about being called Notts?

Notts refers to the county of Nottinghamshire, not the City of Nottingham - and if you refer to the county you refer to their historic rivals Notts County.

County and their Meadow Lane home stands just 300 metres over the River Trent (the two closest football stadiums in England, but not the UK - that honour belongs to Dundee and Dundee United) and although it has played host to Forest games in the past, you will not want to get the two mixed up.

It is often a pub question unknown by anyone who is not a local, but technically Notts County are Nottingham's only club given Nottingham Forest are based in West Bridgford which is in the