Nottingham Forest – A Legacy on the Trent

Twice Kings of Europe: The Incredible History of Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest Football Club. The name conjures images of Garibaldi Red, the roar of the City Ground faithful, and, for those who know their football history, a period of almost unbelievable, fairytale success that saw a provincial English club conquer Europe not once, but twice. This is a story woven with threads of humble beginnings, legendary figures, iconic triumphs, heart-wrenching lows, and an enduring spirit that has captivated fans for generations. So, grab a seat, and let’s delve into the remarkable history of Nottingham Forest.

From Shinty Sticks to Football Boots: The Birth of Forest (1865-1890s)

Our journey begins in 1865, not on a pristine football pitch, but with a group of shinty players. At a meeting in the Clinton Arms on Nottingham’s Sherwood Street, a proposal by J.S. Scrimshaw led to the formation of a football club. These shinty enthusiasts were looking for a winter sporting pursuit, and the rapidly growing game of association football was their answer. Thus, Nottingham Forest Football Club was born.
One of the club’s most defining and enduring characteristics, its vibrant “Garibaldi Red” shirts, was adopted from the very beginning. This choice was a tribute to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian patriot and leader of the “Redshirts,” who had famously visited England the previous year and was a popular figure. This distinctive color would become synonymous with the club. Forest’s influence in these early days even extended to other emerging clubs; they famously supplied kits to help establish teams like Arsenal (then Woolwich Arsenal) and are credited with influencing the colors of others, including Brighton & Hove Albion and even, by some accounts, Ajax Amsterdam.

In its infancy, Forest played at various locations, including the Forest Racecourse, which is where the “Forest” in the club’s name originates. They quickly made a name for themselves, competing in the FA Cup from the 1878-79 season. Even in these early days, the club displayed a charitable spirit, often playing matches to raise funds for local causes and hospitals.

A significant step forward came in 1889 when Forest became founder members of the Football Alliance, a league set up as a rival to the established Football League. They demonstrated their prowess by winning the Football Alliance title in 1892, an achievement that helped secure their election to the Football League for the 1892-93 season.

Finding a Home and Early Glory: The City Ground and FA Cup Success (1890s-1950s)

The late 19th century was a period of consolidation and growth for Forest. A truly landmark moment arrived in 1898 when the club moved to what would become its iconic and permanent home: the City Ground. Situated elegantly on the banks of the River Trent, the name was chosen to commemorate Nottingham being granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1897. This move provided the club with a stable foundation and a ground that would witness countless historic moments.

The year 1898 wasn’t just significant for the move to a new home; it also brought Forest their first major piece of silverware. They triumphed in the FA Cup, beating their fierce local rivals Derby County 3-1 in the final at Crystal Palace. Goals from Arthur Capes (who scored two) and John McPherson sealed a memorable victory and announced Forest’s arrival on the national stage.

The ensuing decades brought a mixture of fortunes. Forest experienced periods of stability in the top flight, occasional struggles that led to relegation to the Second Division, and the inevitable disruption caused by two World Wars. While major honors proved elusive for a considerable stretch, the club maintained a respected presence in English football.

A significant resurgence occurred in the post-World War II era. Under the astute management of Billy Walker and captained by the reliable Jack Burkitt, Nottingham Forest lifted the FA Cup for the second time in their history in 1959. In a dramatic final at Wembley, they defeated Luton Town 2-1. The victory was made even more remarkable by the fact that Forest played a significant portion of the match with only ten men after winger Roy Dwight (uncle of the famous musician Sir Elton John) suffered a broken leg in the 33rd minute. Dwight had already scored Forest’s opening goal, with Tommy Wilson adding the second to secure the cup.

The Quiet Years and a Glimmer of Hope (1960s – Early 1970s)

Following the elation of the 1959 FA Cup win, Forest enjoyed a period as a solid First Division side. One of their best league campaigns of this era came in the 1966-67 season. Managed by Johnny Carey, a team featuring talents like Joe Baker, Ian Storey-Moore, and Terry Hennessey mounted a serious challenge for the First Division title. They ultimately finished as runners-up to Manchester United, an achievement that, at the time, represented their highest ever league placing. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup that same season, narrowly losing out to Tottenham Hotspur.

However, this promising period was followed by a gradual decline. The stars of the ’67 team moved on, and the club found itself slipping down the table. This culminated in relegation to the Second Division at the end of the 1971-72 season. The early 1970s were a challenging time for the club, languishing in the second tier and seemingly far removed from the glory days. But little did anyone know, the seeds of an unprecedented footballing miracle were about to be sown.

The Miracle Men: Brian Clough, Peter Taylor, and European Domination (1975-1993)

January 6, 1975, is a date etched forever in Nottingham Forest folklore. It was the day Brian Clough was appointed manager. Clough, a famously outspoken and brilliant, if controversial, manager, had previously achieved remarkable success with Derby County, leading them from the Second Division to the First Division title. After a brief, ill-fated spell at Leeds United, he arrived at the City Ground with Forest struggling in the Second Division.

In July 1976, Clough was reunited with his trusted assistant Peter Taylor, reforming the managerial partnership that had worked wonders at Derby. Together, they began to assemble a team that would defy all expectations. They secured promotion back to the First Division at the end of the 1976-77 season, finishing third.

What happened next was nothing short of astonishing. In their very first season back in the top flight (1977-78), Nottingham Forest, against all odds, won the First Division championship, finishing seven points clear of Liverpool. This incredible achievement made them one of only a handful of teams to win the league title in the season immediately following promotion. They also won the League Cup that season, defeating Liverpool in a replay.

This was just the beginning of an era of unprecedented success. Clough’s Forest, built around a core of astute signings like goalkeeper Peter Shilton, defenders Viv Anderson and Kenny Burns, midfielders Martin O’Neill and John McGovern (Clough’s captain at both Derby and Forest), winger John Robertson (often described by Clough as his “little Rembrandt”), and forwards Tony Woodcock and later, Trevor Francis (Britain’s first £1 million player), became a formidable force.

The pinnacle of their achievements came on the European stage:

• 1979 European Cup Winners: In their first ever European Cup campaign, Forest went all the way, defeating Swedish side Malmö FF 1-0 in the final in Munich, with Trevor Francis scoring the winning goal.
• 1980 European Cup Winners: Incredibly, Forest retained the European Cup the following year, beating Hamburger SV of Germany 1-0 in the final in Madrid. John Robertson scored the decisive goal this time.

To win Europe’s most prestigious club competition once was remarkable for a club of Forest’s stature; to win it twice in consecutive seasons was a genuine footballing miracle. They remain the only club to have won the European Cup more times than their domestic league title.

During this golden era, Forest also won the European Super Cup in 1979 (beating Barcelona) and added two more League Cups to their trophy cabinet in 1989 and 1990. Clough’s teams were known for their disciplined defense, incisive attacking play, and an unshakeable team spirit. Players like Stuart Pearce and Des Walker emerged as new heroes in the later years of Clough’s reign.

Brian Clough’s remarkable 18-year tenure at Nottingham Forest came to an end in May 1993, with the club sadly relegated from the newly formed Premier League. It was an emotional and poignant farewell for a manager who had transformed the club’s destiny and etched its name into footballing immortality.

Life After Clough: Ups, Downs, and the Premier League Dream (1993-2021)

Replacing a legend like Brian Clough was always going to be an immense task. Frank Clark, a member of the 1979 European Cup-winning team, took over and impressively led Forest to immediate promotion back to the Premier League in 1993-94. In their first season back (1994-95), they finished an outstanding third, qualifying for the UEFA Cup, with players like Stan Collymore and Bryan Roy dazzling up front.

However, this resurgence was relatively short-lived. Forest were relegated again in 1997, bounced back with the Division One (now Championship) title in 1997-98 under Dave Bassett (with Pierre van Hooijdonk’s goals proving crucial), but suffered an immediate relegation from the Premier League in 1998-99.

This marked the beginning of a long and often frustrating period for the club outside the top flight. Forest spent 23 years away from the Premier League, experiencing the highs of playoff pushes and the lows of relegation to League One (the third tier) in 2005 – becoming the first former European Cup winners to drop to their domestic league’s third division. They eventually gained promotion back to the Championship in 2008.

Numerous managers tried to restore Forest to their former glories during these years. Ownership changes also brought periods of instability. Despite the challenges, the loyal fanbase continued to turn out in large numbers, dreaming of a return to English football’s elite.

The Return to the Top Flight and a New Chapter (2022-Present)

The appointment of Steve Cooper as head coach in September 2021 proved to be a turning point. Taking over a team struggling at the bottom of the Championship, Cooper masterminded a remarkable turnaround. Forest surged up the table, playing exciting, attacking football, and secured a place in the Championship play-offs.

In May 2022, after a memorable play-off campaign that saw them overcome Sheffield United in a dramatic semi-final, Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield Town 1-0 at Wembley in the play-off final. That victory ended their 23-year exile from the Premier League, sparking scenes of wild celebration among the thousands of travelling fans and back in Nottingham.

The return to the Premier League under the ownership of Evangelos Marinakis has brought new investment and ambition. The club has focused on establishing itself in the top division, bringing in a host of new players to compete at the highest level, and ensuring Premier League football for subsequent seasons has been the primary goal.

The City Ground: A Fortress by the Trent

No history of Nottingham Forest is complete without paying homage to their iconic home, the City Ground. Nestled on the south bank of the River Trent, it is picturesquely located just a few hundred yards from Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and Notts County’s Meadow Lane stadium, making this area a unique sporting hub.

Since Forest moved there in 1898, the City Ground has undergone numerous redevelopments. The Main Stand, the Trent End (famous for its passionate atmosphere), the Bridgford Stand, and the Brian Clough Stand (named in honor of the club’s greatest manager) form the distinctive character of the stadium. It was one of the host venues for Euro ’96. The club has long-term plans for further redevelopment to modernize the stadium and increase its capacity, ensuring it remains a fitting home for a club with such a rich history and ambitious future.

A Legacy Forged in Red

The story of Nottingham Forest is one of incredible highs and challenging lows. From their humble 19th-century origins and early FA Cup successes to the unparalleled, almost unbelievable, European triumphs under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, and their recent return to the Premier League, Forest’s journey is a captivating chapter in football’s rich tapestry.

The Garibaldi Red, the roar from the Trent End, and the memories of legends past and present continue to inspire generations of supporters. Nottingham Forest is more than just a football club; it’s a symbol of what can be achieved with belief, teamwork, and a touch of managerial genius. As they navigate the challenges of modern top-flight football, the echoes of their glorious past serve as a powerful reminder of their unique and enduring legacy.

Sources:

Nottingham Forest Official Website
Football History
The Beautiful History
Wikipedia