In our ongoing quest to find the greatest player of all time at each Premier League club, we turn our attention to Nottingham Forest, a team steeped in history and tradition. From Elton John’s cousin Roy Dwight to Brian Clough’s European Cup heroes, and more recently, hometown hero Brennan Johnson, the club has been blessed with an array of talented players.
Nottingham Forest is one of only four English clubs to have been crowned European champions on more than one occasion, sharing the honor with Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea. Before Clough’s remarkable achievement, Forest won the FA Cup twice, in 1898 and 1959, with the latter final being remembered for winger Roy Dwight, Elton John’s cousin.
Roy Dwight – the cousin of Elton John – played a key role in Forest winning the FA Cup in 1959
Ian Storey-Moore was Forest’s swashbuckling hero of the 1960s and became a household name
Roy Dwight, a Forest legend in his own right, scored the opening goal in the 1959 FA Cup final against Luton before being carried off with a broken leg. In the days before substitutes, Forest held on with 10 men to win 2-1.
Ian Storey-Moore, a maverick winger, was Forest’s swashbuckling hero of the 1960s, becoming a household name after his hat-trick knocked out reigning FA Cup holders Everton in 1967.
Duncan McKenzie, a talented but unpredictable player, brought pure joy to the East Midlands during his five-year spell at The City Ground until 1974.
The arrival of Brian Clough in 1975 changed everything. He famously won promotion, the First Division Championship, and the European Cup in consecutive seasons. He followed up by retaining the European Cup in 1980 and also won four League Cups before retiring in 1993.
Peter Shilton twice won the European Cup with Forest during a successful spell with the club
Scottish winger John Robertson was already at Forest when Clough arrived and rode the wave from being a Second Division journeyman to scoring the 1980 European Cup final winner against Kevin Keegan’s Hamburg.
Peter Shilton, England’s most-capped player with 125 appearances, was an intense and dedicated goalkeeper who instilled professionalism into Forest’s backline. His favorite game was the win over Hamburg when he made a string of outstanding saves to lead the English underdogs to glory in Madrid.
Viv Anderson, the first black player to be capped by England, played for Forest for a decade
Stuart Pearce is a Forest legend, spending 12 years of his long career at the Tricky Trees
‘You’ll never beat Des Walker’ often rang around the City Ground during his time with the club
Historically, the most important player at Forest was Viv Anderson, who became the first black player to be capped by England in 1978, opening the door for John Barnes, Ian Wright, and countless others.
Anderson was a local Nottingham lad who was at Forest before Clough arrived and became a terrific right-back who could also get forward and score spectacular goals, going on to play for both Arsenal and Manchester United.
Clough’s second great side won the League Cup in consecutive years, 1989 and 1990, and the captain on both occasions was Stuart Pearce.
Midfielder Andy Reid enjoyed two spells with Forest and made nearly 300 appearances
Brennan Johnson was a star for Forest when they returned to the Premier League before being sold to Spurs for £45million
Pearce had also begun his career in non-league and the left-back’s expressionless face as he thundered into tackles or crashed in free-kicks earned him the nickname ‘Psycho’.
When the club returned to the Premier League after a 23-year absence in 2022, it was fitting that the main impetus was provided by a Nottingham-born player, forward Brennan Johnson, who top-scored with 19 goals.
Brennan’s speed and directness endeared him to fans who were sorry to see him join Spurs for £45million to help Forest cope with Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
Now it’s your turn to decide who is the greatest Nottingham Forest player of all time. Cast your vote and let us know your choice.