Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has pledged to provide financial assistance to any Nottingham Forest supporter impacted by the recent mass stabbing on a train in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The incident occurred on Saturday evening on the 6:25 PM LNER service from Doncaster to London King's Cross, prompting an emergency stop at Huntingdon.
The club has confirmed that many of their London-based supporters were traveling on the train after their 2-2 draw against Manchester United at the City Ground earlier that day.
British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Huntingdon railway station at approximately 7:42 PM in response to reports of a multiple stabbing. Armed officers boarded the train and arrested two men, aged 32 and 35, within eight minutes of the first 999 call. As of Sunday, the two suspects, both British nationals, are being questioned at separate police stations. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities have stated that the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Eleven people required hospital treatment following the attack. Initially, nine were believed to have life-threatening injuries, but after assessment, that number was revised, and two patients remain in critical condition. Four individuals have been discharged from the hospital.
In the wake of the tragedy, Nottingham Forest released a statement expressing deep concern and sympathy for all those affected. The club also lauded the bravery of individuals who intervened during the attack.
Marinakis echoed the club's sentiment, praising the "courage and selflessness" of the fans and pledging to provide "whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover".
Alistair Day, a Nottingham Forest fan who was on the train, recounted witnessing passengers fleeing in terror. He initially mistook the commotion for a prank until he saw blood on some of the passengers. Day also described how another Forest fan, wearing a Nottingham Forest tracksuit, declared his intention to confront the attacker. Day later saw this man lying injured on the platform. It has been reported that one Forest season-ticket holder suffered serious injuries while protecting a young girl during the attack.
Superintendent John Loveless of the British Transport Police stated that authorities are working to establish the full circumstances and motivation behind the incident and that it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause.
