Nottingham Forest

Verified Timeline

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.

In Their Own Story

The most transformative era began on 6 January 1975, when Brian Clough arrived twelve weeks after leaving Leeds United, bringing trainer Jimmy Gordon to the City Ground. Under Clough and Peter Taylor, Forest achieved back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980. The late 1980s saw continued success with League Cup wins in 1989 and 1990, though they later faced setbacks as losing finalists in the 1991 FA Cup and 1992 League Cup. Relegation from the Premier League followed in 1993, but Forest returned immediately to finish third in 1995 before suffering further relegations in 1997 and 1999. After a long absence, they secured their return to the top flight by winning the play-offs in 2022.

Reader's Guide

Nottingham Forest was formed in 1865 by a group of shinty players meeting at the Clinton Arms in Nottingham. The club's colours, Garibaldi Red, were established at that first meeting. Matches were originally played at Forest Racecourse. Forest's first official game was against Notts County on 22 March 1866. The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in the 1878–79 season. Forest won the Football Alliance in 1892 before entering the Football League. They won their first FA Cup in 1898, beating Derby County 3–1 in the final. Forest were relegated for the first time in 1905–06 but won immediate promotion as champions in 1906–07. They were relegated again in 1911 and had to seek re-election in 1914. After World War I, Forest were promoted as Second Division champions in 1921–22, but were relegated again in 1924–25. Billy Walker was appointed manager in 1939. Forest were relegated to the Third Division South in 1949, but won promotion as champions in 1950–51. They regained First Division status in 1957 and won the FA Cup in 1959, beating Luton Town 2–1. Forest finished as First Division runners-up in 1966–67.

Did You Know?

• Nottingham Forest is the only team in Europe to have won the European Cup or Champions League more often than their domestic league championship.
• Forest's baseball club were British champions in 1899.
• Forest donated a set of football kits to help Arsenal establish themselves in 1886.
• Grenville Morris is the club's all-time top goalscorer with 213 goals.