A NOTTINGHAM Forest fanatic is set to miss his first match in 40 years.
Stuart Astill has followed the Reds home and away for 1,786 consecutive games, but will miss Monday's away trip to Burnley after being hospitalised.
The Sandiacre pensioner will be tuning in to the game on the radio in hospital, rather than travelling to Turf Moor, after having an operation to remove part of one of his toes.
Mr Astill, 67, said: "This is my first missed game for 40 years. The last time was in 1973 – it was at home to Preston and I was an usher at a wedding. I'll miss the atmosphere. I knew my run would end at some point but I didn't expect it to be now.
"It's going to be really unusual listening to the game on the radio after how many games I have been to."
Mr Astill first started going to football matches with his dad – a Derby County supporter – when he was 11. In November, 1956, he went to his first Forest game, against Middlesbrough, who won 4-0 after Brian Clough scored a hat-trick.
Since the 1960s, Mr Astill has missed just two games and even watches the youth teams play. But the diabetic had to be admitted to hospital last week after his foot became infected.
Although he is still in hospital, doctors have allowed him to go to today's home game against Brighton.
"I've had my surgery," he said. "I've had half my toe cut off. Hopefully it will stop the infection."
