The Tricky Trees

Lore & Background

The club has competed in the top two tiers of English football in all but five seasons since their admission to the Football League. Its most successful period came under the management of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor in the late 1970s and early 1980s, during which they achieved back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980. In Clough's final decade at the club, Forest won the 1989 and 1990 League Cups. They were also losing finalists in the 1991 FA Cup final and 1992 League Cup final, before relegation from the Premier League in 1993. Upon their immediate return, Forest finished third in the Premier League in 1995, before suffering relegation again in 1997 and 1999. The team returned to the Premier League by winning the play-offs in 2022. Forest's main rivalry is with Derby County, with whom they contest the East Midlands derby. In 2007 the Brian Clough Trophy was founded, which has since then been given to the winner.

Reader's Guide

Nottingham Forest was founded in 1865 by a group of shinty players meeting at the Clinton Arms. The club's colours, Garibaldi Red, were established at that meeting. Matches were originally played at Forest Racecourse. Forest's first official game was against Notts County on 22 March 1866. The club joined the Football Alliance in 1889, won it in 1892, then entered the Football League. Forest won the FA Cup in 1898 and 1959. The club was relegated from the top flight in 1905–06, 1911, 1924–25, and 1949, but also won promotion as champions in 1906–07 and 1921–22. Forest regained First Division status in 1957 and finished as League runners-up in 1966–67.

Did You Know?

• Forest donated kits to help Arsenal establish themselves in 1886.
• The club's record appearance holder is Bobby McKinlay, who played in the 1959 FA Cup final winning team.
• Grenville Morris is the club's all-time top goalscorer with 213 goals.