The Forest Faithful
The Reds of Nottingham: a history of innovation, charity, and European glory.
Nottingham Forest Football Club was formed in 1865 by a group of shinty players at the Clinton Arms on Nottingham's Shakespeare Street. The club's official colours, Garibaldi Red, were established at that founding meeting. Forest have won 11 major honours during their history: one league title, two FA Cups, four League Cups, one FA Charity Shield, two European Cups and one UEFA Super Cup.
Lore & Background
Forest's first official game was against Notts County on 22 March 1866. In their early years they were a multi-sports club, with a baseball club that were British champions in 1899. Forest donated kits to help Arsenal establish themselves and also donated shirts to Everton and helped secure a site for Brighton. Forest entered the FA Cup for the first time in the 1878–79 season, beating Notts County 3–1 before losing 2–1 to Old Etonians in the semi-final. Their application to join the Football League at its formation in 1888 was rejected; they joined the Football Alliance in 1889 and won it in 1892 before entering the Football League. Forest won their first FA Cup in 1898, beating Derby County 3–1 in the final. They toured South America in 1905, playing friendlies in Argentina and Uruguay. Forest were relegated for the first time in 1905–06 but were promoted as champions the next season. They were relegated again in 1911 and had to seek re-election in 1914. After World War I, Forest campaigned for entry to the expanded First Division but received only three votes. They were promoted as champions in 1921–22 but were relegated in 1924–25. They remained in the second tier until relegation in 1949 to the Third Division South. They were promoted back two years later as Third Division South champions, scoring a record 110 goals in 1950–51, and regained First Division status in 1957. Forest won the FA Cup in 1959, beating Luton Town 2–1. They were League Runners-up in 1966–67 and lost in the FA Cup semi final that season. Forest were relegated from the top flight in 1972. Brian Clough was appointed manager on 6 January 1975.
Reader's Guide
The club's official colours, Garibaldi Red, were established at the founding meeting in 1865. The club's major honours tally is 11, including one UEFA Super Cup. Forest's first FA Cup win was in 1898. Their 1959 FA Cup final saw Roy Dwight (cousin of Elton John) score the opener before breaking his leg. Forest played under floodlights experimentally in 1878–79. The club's all-time top scorer is Grenville Morris with 213 goals. Club record appearance holder Bobby McKinlay played in the 1959 cup-winning team.
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