Nottingham Panthers send touching message over Adam Johnson to Nottingham Forest after Orel Mangala’s goal on Sunday

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Nottingham Forest paid tribute to the late Adam Johnson on Sunday at their home game with Aston Villa. In the 47th minute, the ground stood and applauded, with a truly poignant moment emerging in the process.

On Saturday 28th October the sporting world was shaken to the core. Johnson tragically passed away after a freak accident as the Panthers took on Sheffield Steelers.

Since then fans, players and famous names in other sports have come together to pay tribute to Johnson. Yesterday, it was the turn of Forest, with a flag unveiled in the Bridgford Stand in the 47th minute.

Mangala inadvertently paid his own tribute. The Belgian can often be found at the Nottingham Arena cheering on the Panthers and it was quite remarkable that his goal yesterday hit the net in the 47th minute.

Panthers send touching message to Forest star Mangala after Johnson death

The number 47 was the jersey that Johnson wore with great impact for the Panthers. The man who previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins arrived in the East Midlands earlier this year.

Notts County paid tribute to Johnson at their FA Cup match against Crawley on Saturday. For Forest, they posted an image of the player on the big screens, unveiled a flag and the whole stadium stood and applauded.

After Mangala had scored for the Reds in the 47th minute, the Panthers tweeted about his goal bringing a touch of irony with it.

They tweeted a heartfelt message, citing the intrigue that Mangala scored in the 47th minute and his middle name actually being Johnson.

Sad passing of Johnson brings Nottingham together

Over the past week or so, fans have flocked from all over the world to pay their respects to Johnson. Last week, Forest icon John McGovern went to lay a wreath outside the Nottingham Arena where the Panthers play.

This weekend the Arena had a celebratory night for fans to attend and pay their respects to Johnson. Neither the Panthers nor the Steelers were in action again on either Saturday or Sunday.

It was touching that Forest paid their tributes to Johnson. Perhaps even more fitting was the fact that regular Panthers watcher Mangala and someone with Johnson in their name scored for the Reds.