Steve Cooper would not let Ritchie Sumpter into the Nottingham Forest dressing room after the play-off semi-final win against Sheffield United. 'Save it for Wembley' was his message to the club photographer.
And so it was, on May 29, Sumpter found himself crouched down in the Reds dressing room with players and staff making use of an impromptu beer slide during the Premier League promotion celebrations.
"After everyone filtered off into the dressing room I followed them in and that's when the music started blaring and champagne started popping. There was beer, there was water being thrown everywhere," Sumpter said. "Players and staff were sliding down the middle of the dressing room floor while I positioned myself crouched down at the other end. Everyone was sliding towards me while people poured beer and water all over them.
