HUNDREDS of excited Nottingham Forest fans gathered at the City Ground yesterday for the opening of the new club shop.

Club legend John McGovern and current captain Paul McKenna opened the shop, which has been closed for the last 12 weeks for the revamp.

Nicola Prestley, 36, and son Ethan, 9, were among the first supporters through the door.

Mrs Prestley said: "I think the new store is amazing, it's now more up-to-date and trendy.

"Ethan is buying a shirt for the next game – we can't wait."

Mr McGovern, who twice won the European Cup with Forest, was also pleased with the shop, saying: "I think it's fantastic – there is much more variety and has everything a fan would want.

"We are all hoping that it will be a Premier League club shop come next season."

Mr McKenna said: "This is definitely a shop worthy of a Premier League club and that is the aim for this season, we have a big task ahead of us."

The new store is twice the size of the old one and has been redeveloped along with the club's ticket office.

Fans who went along yesterday were thrilled with the new layout.

David Lickley, 52, from Brinsley, said: "I think the new shop is absolutely fantastic.

"Looking at it now, it was definitely worth waiting."

Kelly Wyles, 29, from Shepshed, added: "It was definitely worth the half-hour trip from where I live. It is amazing.

"I like the fact that everything is more up-to-date and stylish."

After purchasing their Forest jerseys, fans could also test their skill in the penalty shoot-out competition for a chance of winning tickets for Sunday's game against Leeds.

As well as buying the new away kit, also released today, more nostalgic fans can also buy shirts from days of past glories which are on sale, including shirts from the club's historic European Cup wins.