First Division Title Win 1978

Lore & Background

The 1978–79 season was Forest's second year back in the First Division. They had won the title in the previous season, qualifying for the European Cup for the first time.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed against the terraces at the City Ground, but the roar of the crowd drowned out the storm. It was late April, and the weight of the entire city rested on the shoulders of the players in red shirts. As Gerry Francis broke away down the wing, the tension was palpable; one mistake could shatter years of work. But this wasn't just about a single game anymore. Every pass, every tackle carried the memory of relegation and the promise of glory. When the ball finally crossed the line, the eruption from the stands felt less like a celebration and more like a release of a decade's worth of hope.

Reader's Guide

The source does not specify that Forest were relegated two seasons prior to winning the title, nor does it mention Ipswich Town. The claim about being the second team to do so is unsupported by the source.

Did You Know?

• Forest opened their title defence with six draws in their first seven league matches.
• On 7 September, a 2–1 win at Aston Villa broke Leeds United's record of 34 consecutive league games unbeaten.
• On 28 November, a 1–0 win at Bolton set an undefeated record of 42 consecutive league games, which stood for 26 years.
• Garry Birtles broke into the first team and became the club's top scorer as Forest finished league runners-up, retained the League Cup, and won the European Cup.
• Trevor Francis became the first £1,000,000 player when he signed from Birmingham City and scored the only goal in the European Cup final against Malmö in Munich.