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Forest Early History - sponsored by I‘m Red Till Dead

Otis Redding

Otis Redding

Try A Little Tenderness
Watching the Denis Law documentary, Lawman, on Sky Documentaries earlier, amongst the numerous clips of him scoring, was his brilliant overhead winner against us at Old Trafford which, arguably, prevented us from winning the 1966-67 League Championship. A game I still have fairly vivid memories of.
 
Caveman Ninja

Caveman Ninja

Fucjin g wot karate
Otis Redd'un said:
Watching the Denis Law documentary, Lawman, on Sky Documentaries earlier, amongst the numerous clips of him scoring, was his brilliant overhead winner against us at Old Trafford which, arguably, prevented us from winning the 1966-67 League Championship. A game I still have fairly vivid memories of.
Click to expand...

He was born just along the road from my house. I met him a couple of years back too. Lovely guy.
 
Otis Redding

Otis Redding

Try A Little Tenderness
Caveman Ninja said:
He was born just along the road from my house. I met him a couple of years back too. Lovely guy.
Click to expand...

He always came across as a decent bloke through his public persona, an image that contradicted his on-field approach, whereby he was uncompromisingly aggressive. Great, great player though.
 
BryanRoy

BryanRoy

Stuart Pearce
Who was Nottingham Forest's captains after Bobby McKinlay/John Barnwell and before John McGovern?

These guys have had the role for an extended period? Not just the odd game like say Jenas early on? Missing anyone else below?


Jack Burkitt
Bobby McKinlay
John Barnwell
??
John McGovern
Kenny Burns (lifted a trophy so had to include)
Ian Bowyer
Stuart Pearce
Colin Cooper
Steve Chettle
Chris Bart-Williams
Riccy Scimeca
Des Walker
David Johnson (maybe not that many games?)
Ian Breckin
Paul McKenna
Luke Chambers
Chris Cohen
Henri Lansbury
Andy Reid
Michael Dawson
Ben Watson
Lewis Grabban
Joe Worrall
 
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I'm Red Till Dead

I'm Red Till Dead

Stuart Pearce
I'm just transcribing the 1972-3 games and noted that Peter Hindley gave up the captaincy in August 1972 and Tommy Gemmell took over. Gemmell only played for Forest about 20 times after that before the club released him.

Edit: I saw a reference to Sammy Chapman as captain in one of the games Gemmell didn't play, so I'm not sure if he took over the role.
 
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Strummer

Strummer

Socialismo O Muerte!
LTLF Minion
BryanRoy said:
Who was Nottingham Forest's captains after Bobby McKinlay/John Barnwell and before John McGovern?

These guys have had the role for an extended period? Not just the odd game like say Jenas early on? Missing anyone else below?


Jack Burkitt
Bobby McKinlay
John Barnwell
??
John McGovern
Kenny Burns (lifted a trophy so had to include)
Ian Bowyer
Stuart Pearce
Colin Cooper
Steve Chettle
Chris Bart-Williams
Riccy Scimeca
Des Walker
David Johnson (maybe not that many games?)
Ian Breckin
Paul McKenna
Luke Chambers
Chris Cohen
Henri Lansbury
Andy Reid
Michael Dawson
Ben Watson
Lewis Grabban
Joe Worrall
Click to expand...

I remember watching Luke Chambers lift the Albufeira Tourist Trophy as Captain.

What a moment in Forest history!
 
I'm Red Till Dead

I'm Red Till Dead

Stuart Pearce
Hindley was appointed captain in 1970 when Henry Newton left.

I think Newton took over from Hennesey. He filled in for him when he was injured.
 
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BryanRoy

BryanRoy

Stuart Pearce
I'm Red Till Dead said:
I'm just transcribing the 1972-3 games and noted that Peter Hindley gave up the captaincy in August 1972 and Tommy Gemmell took over. Gemmell only played for Forest about 20 times after that before the club released him.

Edit: I saw a reference to Sammy Chapman as captain in one of the games Gemmell didn't play, so I'm not sure if he took over the role.
Click to expand...

I'm Red Till Dead said:
Hindley was appointed captain in 1970 when Henry Newton left.
Click to expand...

Thanks Nicola.

It makes sense.

I thought Newton and Chapman were strong possibilities.


So Newton, Hindley, Gemmell, Chapman.


McGovern's first game for Forest on 22 Feb 1975 vs Cardiff

1. John Middleton
2. Viv Anderson
3. John Cottam
4. Paul Richardson
5. Liam O'Kane (Might have been option)
6. John McGovern
7. George Lyall
8. John Robertson
9. Neil Martin
10. Ian Bowyer
11. Martin O'Neill
 
I'm Red Till Dead

I'm Red Till Dead

Stuart Pearce
BryanRoy said:
Thanks Nicola.

It makes sense.

I thought Newton and Chapman were strong possibilities.


So Newton, Hindley, Gemmell, Chapman.


McGovern's first game for Forest on 22 Feb 1975 vs Cardiff

1. John Middleton
2. Viv Anderson
3. John Cottam
4. Paul Richardson
5. Liam O'Kane (Might have been option)
6. John McGovern
7. George Lyall
8. John Robertson
9. Neil Martin
10. Ian Bowyer
11. Martin O'Neill
Click to expand...

You missed Terry Hennesey before Newton.
 
Strummer

Strummer

Socialismo O Muerte!
LTLF Minion
RealRed85 said:
The only trophy I’ve ever seen Forest lift live.

Golden era to live through.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Indeed it was; what a time to be alive!
 
Otis Redding

Otis Redding

Try A Little Tenderness
Sammy was the captain through most of our post-relegation years, and continued following Cloughie's arrival. It was removed from him however when BC appointed McGovern as a response to the idiots amongst our fanbase who stupidly barracked him.
 
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C

Cloughie1975

John Robertson
BryanRoy said:
Thanks Nicola.

It makes sense.

I thought Newton and Chapman were strong possibilities.


So Newton, Hindley, Gemmell, Chapman.


McGovern's first game for Forest on 22 Feb 1975 vs Cardiff

1. John Middleton
2. Viv Anderson
3. John Cottam
4. Paul Richardson
5. Liam O'Kane (Might have been option)
6. John McGovern
7. George Lyall
8. John Robertson
9. Neil Martin
10. Ian Bowyer
11. Martin O'Neill
Click to expand...
I recall McGovern’s debut being a particularly drab 0-0 in front of a sparse crowd-incidentally,John O’Hare
made his debut 3 days later at Oxford in a 1-1 draw.
I think the McGovern/O’Hare double signing didn’t particularly excite the fanbase-but Clough was obviously proved right eventually as he started to put the first bricks in place.
 
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C

Cloughie1975

John Robertson
Cloughie1975 said:
I recall McGovern’s debut being a particularly drab 0-0 in front of a sparse crowd-incidentally,John O’Hare
made his debut 3 days later at Oxford in a 1-1 draw.
I think the McGovern/O’Hare double signing didn’t particularly excite the fanbase-but Clough was obviously proved right eventually as he started to put the first bricks in place.
Click to expand...
Correction-O’Hare made his debut 6 days later(the Oxford game was played on a Friday night).
 
C

Cloughie1975

John Robertson
forestzoe said:
Being but a small kid at the time.i wasn't aware of this. Can't get any sound on the video within the article though

Sent from my moto g(10) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
As an aside,this game never should have been played as a large proportion of the pitch was frozen and
dangerous-I guess the authorities decided to play because of the large number of Scots who had turned up.
I heard a story that Brian Clough told the players ‘don’t f*****g score or they’ll be a riot’-I can’t confirm
this as true but it sounds typical Clough(and Garry Birtles did miss an easy chance when clean through!).
 
I'm Red Till Dead

I'm Red Till Dead

Stuart Pearce
forestzoe said:
Being but a small kid at the time.i wasn't aware of this. Can't get any sound on the video within the article though

Sent from my moto g(10) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

There is sound on the Youtube video. Try playing it direct on Youtube if that's the one you mean Zoe.

 
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forestzoe

forestzoe

Jack Burkitt
I'm Red Till Dead said:
THere is soind on he Youtube video Try playing it direct on Youtube if that's the one you mean Zoe.

Click to expand...
Cheers I'll try that. There was a miniscule and almost indiscernible amount of sound on the video embedded in the article, like it was corrupted. I noted it was a 17min video so seemed odd with no sound

Sent from my moto g(10) using Tapatalk
 
Strummer

Strummer

Socialismo O Muerte!
LTLF Minion
Cloughie1975 said:
I recall McGovern’s debut being a particularly drab 0-0 in front of a sparse crowd-incidentally,John O’Hare
made his debut 3 days later at Oxford in a 1-1 draw.
I think the McGovern/O’Hare double signing didn’t particularly excite the fanbase-but Clough was obviously proved right eventually as he started to put the first bricks in place.
Click to expand...

When my Uncle first took me to Forest in 1976, he made a point of telling me to watch two players; John Robertson (obvious) and John McGovern.

I was impressed by the way the no-nonsense McGovern went about his work, winning the ball and recycling possession to Forest‘s more creative men (like Robbo).

I got his autograph on a program after the match against Dynamo Berlin (which I still have) and then 32 years later he signed my copy of his autobiography.

I won’t part with either. And he always makes my „All-Time“ Forest XI.
 
football post

football post

I'm still here Crewton
Strummer said:
When my Uncle first took me to Forest in 1976, he made a point of telling me to watch two players; John Robertson (obvious) and John McGovern.

I was impressed by the way the no-nonsense McGovern went about his work, winning the ball and recycling possession to Forest‘s more creative men (like Robbo).

I got his autograph on a program after the match against Dynamo Berlin (which I still have) and then 32 years later he signed my copy of his autobiography.

I won’t part with either. And he always makes my „All-Time“ Forest XI.
Click to expand...

I first started going about the same time and my dad kept telling me to watch the bloke on the wing. He kept saying "look how tricky he is, gets past his man all the time and can score a goal. He's the man to get us out this league".

Terry Curran :)
 
I'm Red Till Dead

I'm Red Till Dead

Stuart Pearce
When Forest played Cardiff at the City Ground on Wednesday September 19th, 1972, the crowd was a tiny 6414 which drew the following Comments from Chairman Jim Willmer.


(Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, September 20, 1972)

Forest chairman answers critics

‘BE TOLERANT’ PLEA TO THE FANS

NOTTINGHAM FOREST chairman Jim Willmer today answered the 6,414 fans who turned last night’s match with Cardiff City into a widespread demonstration against manager Matt Gillies.

It’s really out of proportion with the situation. “They are being unfair to him at present,” said the Forest chief after seeing his manager subjected to an almost continuous verbal attack before, during and after the game

“The spectators are not being kind or tolerant and they have got to be at a time like this. We had a long run in Division I and I am sure they still have not got over us dropping down to Division II,” he added.

“I am sure this Is part of the answer and when things are not going right they have to find someone to blame and this is obviously the manager of the club.”

‘‘I suppose it is a natural reaction but the current position is disappointing to ourselves.”

“Both the committee and manager know that in some way we have got to strengthen the side and we are working on this. But it is pointless signing players unless they are the right ones,” he said.

“It’s a bad time for city football generally Notts having just missed out on promotion last season and ourselves being relegated.”

“The fans don’t seem to realise that the glory of Division I has gone for the present. We’re moving through a very difficult phase but the club is big enough to get over this patch”

Ruined

Last night’s match he said was ruined because a group of spectators adopted an anti-manager attitude instead of watching the match.

“This sort of thing affects the players and there were several times during last night’s game that the crowd’s reaction was upsetting them,” said Mr Willmer.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s City Ground clash with Aston Villa Mr Willmer commented: “I think if we start well you will probably see a different reaction entirely.

“We look to the verbal backing of the Trent End not the opposition and we certainly don’t take kindly to those who come and make a nuisance to the detriment of the honest to goodness fan,” he said.

And from the fans that cause a nuisance Mr Willmer turned to the absent supporters, “The fans were demanding the youngsters to be given a chance last season after the departure of Ian Moore.”

“They were given a chance but look what has happened those same fans have stayed away,” he said.

Jumping

But Mr Willmer accepted that last night’s City Ground “demo” was not only at the Trent End. Even season ticket holders were jumping to their feet and joining the chorus of “Gillies out Gillies out”

Even when Forest were leading 2-0 the chanting went on and police were brought from other parts of the ground to stand between the committee’s box - where Mr Gillies sat throughout the game - and the terracing.

A police spokesman commented today: “In view of the shouting that the crowd was directing at Mr Gillies, police were drafted to the front of the committee box as a precaution but there were no incidents.”


The following game at the City Ground on the 23rd was against Aston Villa which drew the biggest home league gate of the season of 18,082. The only bigger home gate of the season was the 3rd round FA cup Replay against West Brom which was abandoned after 81 minute with the score at 1-1.
 
I'm Red Till Dead

I'm Red Till Dead

Stuart Pearce
Trouble at that Villa game would see the start of the process to put pens in the Trent End

(Birmingham Daily Post, Monday, September 25, 1972)

Soccer club acts to curb fans

Nottingham Forest F C is planning to build four pens behind the infamous Trent End goal with police supervision to curb “the worst fans in Britain."

This comes after Saturday's game with Aston Villa when 46 fans were arrested and a 15-year-old Villa supporter was thrown into the Trent.

Navin Patel, a schoolboy, from Railway Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, was rescued by a policeman who dived in fully clothed after a Nottingham girl had tried to pull him to the bank.

Mr. Jim Willmer, the Forest chairman, disclosed after the game that the decision to build the pens had been taken after consultation with police.

He said: "This situation must be stopped before someone is seriously hurt. It is costing the club a lot money with many genuine supporters refusing to come to our games because of these young troublemakers.

"Many clubs believe that our young fans are the worst in Britain. After recent events I am inclined to agree with them."

Terrace violence erupted at the City Ground after the interval with Forest and Villa fans breaking a police cordon. A mounted policeman rode into the crowd to break up fighting, ignoring firecrackers thrown at him.

Mr. Jim Hartley, Villa's chairman, blamed a section of his club's young fans for the scenes. "Unfortunately they played their part in the unhappy business,” he said.

The first of the 46 arrested are due to appear in court at Nottingham today on charges of disorderly behaviour and carrying offensive weapons.

Navin Patel, the schoolboy rescued from the river, was relaxing at home yesterday after being treated for shock at Nottingham General Hospital.
 
C

Cloughie1975

John Robertson
I'm Red Till Dead said:
When Forest played Cardiff at the City Ground on Wednesday September 19th, 1972, the crowd was a tiny 6414 which drew the following Comments from Chairman Jim Willmer.


(Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, September 20, 1972)

Forest chairman answers critics

‘BE TOLERANT’ PLEA TO THE FANS

NOTTINGHAM FOREST chairman Jim Willmer today answered the 6,414 fans who turned last night’s match with Cardiff City into a widespread demonstration against manager Matt Gillies.

It’s really out of proportion with the situation. “They are being unfair to him at present,” said the Forest chief after seeing his manager subjected to an almost continuous verbal attack before, during and after the game

“The spectators are not being kind or tolerant and they have got to be at a time like this. We had a long run in Division I and I am sure they still have not got over us dropping down to Division II,” he added.

“I am sure this Is part of the answer and when things are not going right they have to find someone to blame and this is obviously the manager of the club.”

‘‘I suppose it is a natural reaction but the current position is disappointing to ourselves.”

“Both the committee and manager know that in some way we have got to strengthen the side and we are working on this. But it is pointless signing players unless they are the right ones,” he said.

“It’s a bad time for city football generally Notts having just missed out on promotion last season and ourselves being relegated.”

“The fans don’t seem to realise that the glory of Division I has gone for the present. We’re moving through a very difficult phase but the club is big enough to get over this patch”

Ruined

Last night’s match he said was ruined because a group of spectators adopted an anti-manager attitude instead of watching the match.

“This sort of thing affects the players and there were several times during last night’s game that the crowd’s reaction was upsetting them,” said Mr Willmer.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s City Ground clash with Aston Villa Mr Willmer commented: “I think if we start well you will probably see a different reaction entirely.

“We look to the verbal backing of the Trent End not the opposition and we certainly don’t take kindly to those who come and make a nuisance to the detriment of the honest to goodness fan,” he said.

And from the fans that cause a nuisance Mr Willmer turned to the absent supporters, “The fans were demanding the youngsters to be given a chance last season after the departure of Ian Moore.”

“They were given a chance but look what has happened those same fans have stayed away,” he said.

Jumping

But Mr Willmer accepted that last night’s City Ground “demo” was not only at the Trent End. Even season ticket holders were jumping to their feet and joining the chorus of “Gillies out Gillies out”

Even when Forest were leading 2-0 the chanting went on and police were brought from other parts of the ground to stand between the committee’s box - where Mr Gillies sat throughout the game - and the terracing.

A police spokesman commented today: “In view of the shouting that the crowd was directing at Mr Gillies, police were drafted to the front of the committee box as a precaution but there were no incidents.”


The following game at the City Ground on the 23rd was against Aston Villa which drew the biggest home league gate of the season of 18,082. The only bigger home gate of the season was the 3rd round FA cup Replay against West Brom which was abandoned after 81 minute with the score at 1-1.
Click to expand...
Willmer’s comments show the total lack of ambition and direction of the club at the time.
I believe the crowd against Cardiff was the 2nd lowest post-war league attendance at the City Ground.
 
C

Cloughie1975

John Robertson
I'm Red Till Dead said:
Trouble at that Villa game would see the start of the process to put pens in the Trent End

(Birmingham Daily Post, Monday, September 25, 1972)

Soccer club acts to curb fans

Nottingham Forest F C is planning to build four pens behind the infamous Trent End goal with police supervision to curb “the worst fans in Britain."

This comes after Saturday's game with Aston Villa when 46 fans were arrested and a 15-year-old Villa supporter was thrown into the Trent.

Navin Patel, a schoolboy, from Railway Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, was rescued by a policeman who dived in fully clothed after a Nottingham girl had tried to pull him to the bank.

Mr. Jim Willmer, the Forest chairman, disclosed after the game that the decision to build the pens had been taken after consultation with police.

He said: "This situation must be stopped before someone is seriously hurt. It is costing the club a lot money with many genuine supporters refusing to come to our games because of these young troublemakers.

"Many clubs believe that our young fans are the worst in Britain. After recent events I am inclined to agree with them."

Terrace violence erupted at the City Ground after the interval with Forest and Villa fans breaking a police cordon. A mounted policeman rode into the crowd to break up fighting, ignoring firecrackers thrown at him.

Mr. Jim Hartley, Villa's chairman, blamed a section of his club's young fans for the scenes. "Unfortunately they played their part in the unhappy business,” he said.

The first of the 46 arrested are due to appear in court at Nottingham today on charges of disorderly behaviour and carrying offensive weapons.

Navin Patel, the schoolboy rescued from the river, was relaxing at home yesterday after being treated for shock at Nottingham General Hospital.
Click to expand...
I recall further trouble when Forest played Villa in a League Cup tie a couple weeks earlier-there was a
poisonous atmosphere around the City Ground at the time.
 
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