Skip to content
MATCHDAYHOTELS
Nottingham Forest crest
CLUB HUB · Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest

A Nottingham club whose identity runs from Garibaldi red and a public recreation ground to Clough-and-Taylor Europe, the Trent-side City Ground and a supporter culture that keeps turning history into living matchday language.

Est. 1865 West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, on the River Trent opposite Nottingham The City Ground 48 researched sources
Matchday guides Plan an away day Official club links
OVERVIEW & IDENTITY

The club behind the badge

Identity & place

What this club is really about

Forest's shinney-playing founders could hardly have imagined a team winning the English title straight after promotion and then two European Cups. Supporters have since known years in the second and third tiers as well. Pride in the two stars shares room with gallows humour about League One away days. The City Ground, Trent, Garibaldi red, Clough and Taylor, Mull of Kintyre, fanzines and tifos keep those different eras close to current matchdays.

Place, industry & identity
CLUB ARCHIVE

History Snapshot

  1. 1898: first FA Cup, against Derby

    Forest beat Derby County 3-1 at Crystal Palace for their first FA Cup. Five days earlier Derby had beaten them 5-0 in the league.

  2. 1959: ten men hold on at Wembley

    Forest beat Luton Town 2-1 in the FA Cup final despite losing Roy Dwight to injury in the no-substitutes era.

  3. 1975-80: the impossible acceleration

    Clough arrived in 1975, Taylor rejoined in 1976, promotion came in 1977, the league title in 1978 and European Cups in 1979 and 1980.

View full history
Living identity

Why that identity still matters

The 2022 Premier League return and 2025/26 European run gave supporters new experiences alongside inherited memories. Success has also brought arguments about redevelopment, ticket affordability and protecting the City Ground's atmosphere as the club grows.

Supporters & community
Terrace folklore

Did Forest give Arsenal their red shirts?

The red-shirt link to Arsenal remains contested. Arsenal's older official account credited Forest contacts with providing a kit; newer research quotes founder David Danskin recalling shirts bought from a London outfitter.

Explore Deep Cuts & Folklore
Official club links
48 Researched sources View sources →
  1. 151 Years of NFFC accessed 2026-10-01
  2. Giuseppe Garibaldi: The Italian Freedom Fighter Who Inspired Nottingham Forest FC accessed 2026-10-01
  3. Nottingham Forest match crowds, 1931 (local archive record) accessed 2026-10-01
  4. Home Grounds accessed 2026-10-01
  5. All 380 fixtures for 2026/27 Premier League season accessed 2026-10-01
  6. All 20 Premier League clubs' badges explained accessed 2026-10-01
  7. About accessed 2026-10-01
  8. The Displays accessed 2026-10-01
  9. Frequently Asked Questions | NFST Membership & Trust accessed 2026-10-01
  10. NFST Open Letter To Rushcliffe Planning Committee 2026 accessed 2026-10-01
  11. Statement from the Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust on Ticket Pricing and Fan Affordability accessed 2026-10-01
  12. A History of Nottingham Forest FC Fanzines accessed 2026-10-01
  13. Julie Pritchard obituary accessed 2026-10-01
  14. Why Nottingham Forest fans sing Mull of Kintyre and when it started accessed 2026-10-01
  15. Forest Preview | Dyche era begins with Porto at The City Ground accessed 2026-10-01
  16. Remembering the great Brian Clough accessed 2026-10-01
  17. 1978/79: Forest join elite club accessed 2026-10-01
  18. Season 1979/80 accessed 2026-10-01
  19. Trevor Francis obit: A 'wonderful person', 'fabulous team-mate' & record breaker accessed 2026-10-01
  20. You'll never beat Des Walker, England's first Black centre-half accessed 2026-10-01
  21. NMP Live Meets Stuart Pearce | Exclusive Interview accessed 2026-10-01
  22. Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty found dead accessed 2026-10-01
  23. Nottingham Forest takeover: Evangelos Marinakis buys club with EFL approval accessed 2026-10-01
  24. Nottingham Forest: Charting the Reds' 23-year journey back to the Premier League accessed 2026-10-01
  25. Nottingham Forest secure Premier League safety accessed 2026-10-01
  26. Which Premier League clubs have qualified for Europe? accessed 2026-10-01
  27. 2025/26 Europa League results accessed 2026-10-01
  28. The City Ground accessed 2026-10-01
  29. John Robertson: Nottingham Forest to honour former winger by renaming stand accessed 2026-10-01
  30. John Robertson Stand renaming celebration accessed 2026-10-01
  31. Planning Committee approve Nottingham Forest's plans at the City Ground accessed 2026-10-01
  32. Hillsborough: How Liverpool and Nottingham Forest fans found common ground in tragedy accessed 2026-10-01
  33. Nottingham Forest consider City Ground Hillsborough memorial accessed 2026-10-01
  34. Nottingham Forest v Leeds United, 24 August 1968 accessed 2026-10-01
  35. When Trent Bridge hosted Notts County's first ever Football League game and derby matches against Forest accessed 2026-10-01
  36. Leicester City and Nottingham Forest gear up to renew East Midlands rivalry accessed 2026-10-01
  37. Brian Clough Trophy accessed 2026-10-01
  38. Did Nottingham Forest donate us our red shirts? accessed 2026-10-01
  39. Royal Arsenal formed in Woolwich accessed 2026-10-01
  40. The Garibaldi that links Buenos Aires to Nottingham accessed 2026-10-01
  41. Ola Aina: Emirates FA Cup is a 'magical' competition accessed 2026-10-01
  42. Brian Clough's last home game with Nottingham Forest accessed 2026-10-01
  43. Nottingham Forest 1898 match record accessed 2026-10-01
  44. Brian Clough and the miracle of Nottingham accessed 2026-10-01
  45. Nottingham Forest 1-2 Sheffield United (agg 3-3): Forest win penalty shootout accessed 2026-10-01
  46. Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest to reach third straight Emirates FA Cup Final accessed 2026-10-01
  47. Defeat dooms fallen Forest accessed 2026-10-01
  48. Nottingham Forest Rivals: Derby, Notts County, Leicester accessed 2026-10-01
The Reds
“A Nottingham club whose identity runs from Garibaldi red and a public recreation ground to Clough-and-Taylor…”
PLANNING AN AWAY DAY?

Going to The City Ground?

Find hotels, pubs, parking and matchday essentials for Nottingham Forest.

Plan your Nottingham Forest away day