By Matt Bishop
NATIONAL LEAGUE North side Alfreton Town have been handed a major boost with the news Nottingham Forest’s under-23 side will continue to play at the Impact Arena during the 2017-18 campaign.
Championship side Forest visited the impressive Impact Stadium last term during pre-season, and were mightily impressed with the facilities at the ground and the quality of the playing service.
The sustained use of Alfreton’s home ground will give Forest’s youngsters a better match-day experience and will allow them the chance to play at a stadium on a regular basis.
Chairman Wayne Bradley was pleased with the continuation of the Forest under-23’s at the Impact Arena, saying: “The ever improving Impact arena is crowned with arguably the best playing surface outside of the Football League.
“When professional clubs look to stage development fixtures outside of their own facilities, the Impact Arena ticks all the boxes.
“It is with delight therefore that we welcome back Nottingham Forest for the second consecutive season to the Impact arena for the hosting of a list of their under-23’s fixtures.”
Forest’s under-23’s played their Professional Development League, League Cup and Central League Cup fixtures at the Impact from October 2016.
The English striker, who forced his way into Mark Warburton’s first-team plans at the end of last season, was joint top-scorer at this summer’s Under-19 European Championships.