We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season
Nottingham Forest
Having been formed by a group of shinty players in 1865, the following year saw Forest play their first-ever game against cross-city rivals Notts County.
In the early years, Nottingham Forest were a multi-sports club playing shinty, football and baseball amongst others. Entering the FA Cup in 1878 for the first time, Forest reached the semi-finals where they lost to Old Etonians.
Rejected to join The Football League when it formed in 1888, the Reds instead joined the Football Alliance in 1889 and having won that competition in 1892, they were then permitted to join The Football League.
‘The Garibaldi’ would go on to win the FA Cup six years later beating another local rival in the form of Derby County to do so, before being relegated for the first time in 1906.
Winning the FA Cup again in 1959, Forest had been involved in numerous promotions and relegations to that point and continued in the years to come as they missed out on the 1966/67 Football League title to Manchester United.
A key relegation from the top flight came in 1972 with Brian Clough in turn becoming manager at the City Ground in January 1975, just 12 weeks after his 44-day tenure at Leeds United.
Clough had also previously managed Derby and he picked up a Forest side sat 13th in the second tier. Slow progress followed but eventually Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor would take the club to heights never experienced before.
Starting with the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1976/77, the duo would get the Reds back amongst England’s elite and then go on to topple them, winning the 1977/78 Football League, finishing seven points ahead of runners-up Liverpool.
The following season, Forest won the Charity Shield, League Cup and – most recognisably – the European Cup. Sensationally, they would retain the European Cup 12 months later, only eight clubs have achieved that feat to date.
In 1989 & 1990, back-to-back League Cups were also claimed by the Reds, who were then relegated from the Premier League in its inaugural campaign, with Clough retiring at the end of that season.
Returning at the first time of asking, they then finished 3rd in the top flight in the 1994/95 season, but that was as good as it got. Relegated in 1999, they would remain outside the top flight until 2022, also having a spell in League One during that time.
Last season however, a 16th-place finish ensured safety and a second consecutive campaign in the Premier League.
Stadium: The City Ground (30,332) – West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ
Nickname(s): Forest, The Reds, The Garibaldi
Manager: Steve Cooper
2022/23 finishing position: 16th
2022/23 top scorer (all competitions): Taiwo Awoniyi (11)
Played for both:
Chris Wood – The Kiwi striker joined the Clarets from Leeds United in the summer of 2017. Wood scored on his debut for the Club in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. The forward spent five seasons with Burnley in the Premier League making 165 appearances in all competitions and scoring 53 goals during his time in East Lancashire. Wood signed for Newcastle in January 2022 and 12 months later was loaned to Forest who made it a permanent deal this summer. The 31-year-old scored one goal in seven matches for the Reds last season.
Robbie Blake – Blake arrived at the City Ground in 2000 on loan from Bradford City. The striker scored one goal in 12 appearances for Forest before returning to his parent club in the summer. Blake signed for the Clarets in 2001 and went on to score 51 times in 143 games at Turf Moor before joining Birmingham City in 2004. After just one year with the Blues and two with Leeds, Blake returned to Burnley in 2007. The Middlesbrough-born forward spent a further three years with the Clarets making 144 appearances and helping the side achieve promotion to the top-flight in 2009 before leaving for Bolton Wanderers in 2010.
Brian Laws – Burnley was Laws’ first ever club after signing as a 17-year-old. The defender made 181 appearances over four seasons scoring 15 goals in the process. Laws then moved to Huddersfield Town in 1983 before a transfer to Middlesbrough two years later. The Wallsend-born centre-back then signed for Forest in 1988 and played 147 times in Brian Clough’s side. Laws won the League Cup twice and was runner-up in the FA Cup.
Full record against (competitive): P – 107, W – 42, D – 28, L – 37
Last time we met: 23.02.2016 – Burnley 1 [Vokes] – 0 Forest (Champ)
Last win against: Above
2023/24 Fixtures: H – 19/05/2024 / A – 16/09/2023
