Hoodwinked is proud to announce its biggest signing of the season – Nottingham Forest Football Club.  The leading sports institution in the city will create a special Forest-themed robin to sit outside its ground for 12 weeks this summer.

Forest becomes the first sports club to join the growing team of sponsors for the Hoodwinked public arts trail coming to the city from July to September 2018. The club will soon launch a competition amongst young fans, giving them the chance to design the Forest robin.

The near-6ft-tall fibreglass sculpture will stand at the club’s main gates near the ticket office and official store.

Forest legend John McGovern is pictured giving the thumbs up to Hoodwinked.

A representative for Nottingham Forest Football Club said: “When you mention the City of Nottingham to people around the world they say two things in response: Nottingham Forest and Robin Hood. The club is thus delighted to become the first sports organisation to partner with Nottingham City Council on its wonderful Hoodwinked campaign and we look forward to working with our young fans to create a design that celebrates the unique relationship between the city and the club.”

Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “We’re thrilled to have Forest on board.  Football is an important part of the character and history of Nottingham and it’s fantastic that the club is linking with another local hero through Hoodwinked, a twist on the tale of Robin Hood.”

Hoodwinked is led by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Wild in Art, a leading creative producer of spectacular public art events through the creation of uniquely-painted sculptures.

Hoodwinked celebrates the legend of Robin Hood, but with a mischievous twist on the tale. The sculptures transform him into a series of appealing robins – all based on an identical mould but each one unique and featuring a huge variety of designs.

The free public art trail will comprise about 30 sculptures, each sponsored by a business.  It will bring tourists to Nottingham, encourage local people to explore their own city, and ultimately raise awareness and funds for Nottinghamshire Hospice through fundraising activities and an auction of the sculptures in October 2018.

Nottingham businesses wanting to find out more about sponsoring a sculpture can contact  Caroline Elmhirst or Julie Walker at hoodwinked@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or on 0115 8764984/5.