Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Nottingham. Founded in 1865, it is one of the oldest football clubs in the world and currently competes in the Premier League. The club's honours include two European Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, one English league title, two FA Cups, and four Football League Cups.

The club's name comes from the nearby Forest Recreation Ground, not from Sherwood Forest. It is commonly referred to simply as Forest, which is also the name displayed on the team's shirts. Supporters generally dislike the incorrect abbreviation "Notts Forest", as "Notts" refers to Notts County. The accepted abbreviation is "Nott'm Forest."

History

Nottingham Forest was founded in 1865 by a group of bandy (a form of hockey) players. The club was established partly in response to the growing popularity of football and the presence of neighbouring Notts County, one of the oldest football clubs in England and the world. In 1888, Forest joined the Football Alliance, winning the competition in 1892 and earning promotion to the Football League.

Forest also played an important role in the development of other English clubs. In 1886, the club donated a set of football kits to Arsenal, whose famous red shirts originated from that gift. The club's iconic white sleeves were added many years later by manager Herbert Chapman.

The club's first major success came in 1898 when Nottingham Forest won the FA Cup, defeating Derby County in the final. However, for much of the first half of the 20th century, Forest spent its time in the Second Division, even finishing bottom of the league in 1914. In 1949, the club was relegated to the Third Division but returned two years later after winning the division, thanks largely to the 35 goals scored by Wally Ardron, who remains one of the club's greatest goalscorers.

Forest's greatest era began with the appointment of legendary manager Brian Clough in 1975, when the club was competing in the Second Division. Clough transformed an ordinary side into one of Europe's elite clubs. Just two years after his arrival, Forest earned promotion to the First Division by finishing third.

The club reached extraordinary heights during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the 1978–79 season, Nottingham Forest won the European Cup, defeating Swedish champions Malmö FF 1–0 at Munich's Olympic Stadium. The following season, Forest successfully defended the trophy with another 1–0 victory, this time over Hamburger SV in Madrid. During this golden period, the club also won the UEFA Super Cup and three Football League Cups.

The team's success was built around outstanding players including goalkeeper Peter Shilton, midfielder Martin O'Neill, winger John Robertson, and striker Trevor Francis, who became the first £1 million footballer in English football history.

Forest's next major trophy came in 1989 when they defeated Luton Town in the League Cup Final. They retained the trophy in 1990 by beating Oldham Athletic. In 1992, Forest reached another League Cup Final but were defeated by Manchester United.

On 29 May 2022, Nottingham Forest secured promotion back to the Premier League by defeating Huddersfield Town 1–0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium. The victory ended the club's 23-year absence from England's top flight, marking its first Premier League appearance since 1999.