Who are Nottingham Forest? Trophies, history and famous players

Nottingham Forest are one of the few English teams with a long history of success and failure. They won the European Cup in the 19th century and were English champions in 1970. Forest have been relegated from the Premier League three times and spent three years in England's third tier.

Nottingham Forest were founded in 1865. They won the FA Cup in 1959 and the European Cup twice. Brian Clough took over as manager in 1975. The club won promotion back to the Premier League in 1978. They reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup last season. It was the last time Forest played in European competition. Their colours are red and white. Forest won their first league title in 1970. In 1982, Cloug left and Peter Taylor took charge. Clouse stayed until 1992. He won three more league titles and two European Cups. His team won a UEFA cup in 1995.

Nottingham Forest have had 21 managers in 10 years. Steve Cooper has improved the team since taking over. Forest are currently in the Championship. They won the play-off final at Wembley. They beat Sheffield United on penalties. Their last Premier League win was against Huddersfield Town. The team won promotion. It was their best moment in more than 20 years, when Levi Colwill scored an own goal to send them back into the Premier league. Clough was the most successful Forest manager. He changed the face of English football. His career was marked by success and failure.

Nottingham Forest fans like their team to play pretty football. Clough enshrined the passing game into the culture of the club. Forest were Premier League entertainers between 1993 and 1996. They have looked a long way from a slick passing team during the 21st century. They play out from the back, pass with precision and build quick attacks. Their recent poor form has been attributed to their lack of pragmatism.

John Robertson is considered to be Forest's greatest player. Bob McKinlay is Forest record appearance maker, playing 685 games. John McGovern captained both the sides who won the European Cup and John Keane played for Forest for 12 years. Stan Collymore is arguably Forest most successful player of modern era. Congolese goalkeeper Brice Samba saved three penalties in the 2021-22 playoff semi-final against the Blades. Brennan Johnson won Championship Young Player of the Season in 2021.

Nottingham Forest have won European cups twice in the 1970s and 1980s. They beat Liverpool in 1978/79 and Koln in semi-finals. In 1979/80 they beat Oster, Arges Pitesti, Dynamo Berlin and Ajax on their way to the final, which they won. The following season they also beat Barcelona in European Super Cup.

Nottingham Forest have a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase. Their away following was third-highest in the Championship in 2021-22.

Forest and Derby County have a rivalry. Dave Mackay managed Forest before Dave Clough did at Derby. Cloug won the second tier title in 1968-69 and the top flight in 1971-72. The Brian Clogt Trophy is played between the teams each season. Leicester City also have tensions with Nottingham Forest. Notts County's Meadow Lane ground is only separated from the City Ground by the River Trent.