WHEN Nottingham Forest and Derby County prepare take to the field at Pride Park, regulars in a Long Eaton pub will still be enjoying a pint together – despite their sporting differences.

Paul Fletcher, manager of The Barge, in Nelson Street, Long Eaton, says the atmosphere on match days is "buzzing."

The neutral southerner said: "It's one of those pubs which is split 50/50. We have great banter – there's no real malice or trouble.

"It's when people come in from outside that there are problems. A small minority want to cause trouble.

"But the match should be celebrated. Everybody's looking forward to it."

Forest fan Mick Witham, 57, lives nearby. He said he had no problems sharing a bar with Rams fans.

"It's always a good atmosphere in here," he said. "I think Forest are going to win 3-0."

Mick admitted that despite the banter he was disappointed with the tie.

"It's not very good – I wanted Newcastle or some other big club, somebody in the Premiership," he said.

Fellow drinker Jim Bryce, a director of Wilford-based desktop publishing firm Serif, said he feared he was the only Ram among the workforce.

Jim, 43, added: "I'm feeling very worried about work on Monday morning – but it's a time for Derby fans to be heard!

"When Derby are playing Forest there's a buzz in the air. I think it's going to be 2-0 to us."

A Rams season-ticket holder, Jim is missing the match as he was unable to get his wife Claire a ticket.

He said the couple were now planning to head to the Barge on Friday night.

Over in Stapleford, however, Forest-mad landlord "Larry" Mason – whose real name is Lloyd but is nicknamed after Forest legend Larry Lloyd – claimed there was only one team supported in the town.

Larry, 25, has run the Nag's Head and Plough in Nottingham Road for three years and is a branch secretary for the Nottingham Forest Supporters Club.

He said: "I've been a Forest fan all my life. I've got £100 on a 2-0 to Forest.

"We'll be having two coach loads come here before the game."

Larry re-painted the pub when he took over to reflect his passion for the Reds.

The walls are now red and white, with Forest flags, signs and mirrors.

Forest fan Mick Wright will be joining in with the match-day excitement at the pub.

Mick, 47, from Stapleford, said: "I think we're going to win 2- 1. We have both had new managers so it's an interesting time."

"I have got some mates who are Derby fans. One's called Shaun, but I don't know his last name - you don't want to associate too much!"