2024/25 Finish - 7th Place
Sleeping giants. NF is a medium sized club in the midlands who have won cups and been generally good and very consistent having spent 58 seasons in the top league, 58 in level 2 and only 5 in level 3. However, it was a long dry spell for The Reds prior to the last two seasons having been out of the PL since 1999. The fan base is great, and home matches at City Ground are considered one of the best game day experiences you can have. If things start to click, this club has the chance to contend for Top 10 year in and year out.
Flirting with the Championship. Only ONE time (1998) in the history of the PL (which started in 1992) have all three recently promoted teams gone straight back down to the Championship. That happened for a second AND third time the last two seasons with Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United doing it, and then last year Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton - and each year all three deserved to go back down. That was good news for Forest two years ago who finished one spot above relegation finishing with just 32 points. They did endure a Financial Fair Play point deduction of 4. Most other years and Forest would be preparing for another season in The Championship.
Flirting with the Champions League. Nuno Espirito Santo, the Tree’s manager, kept the club up that year and then last year had them sitting in a Champions League spot with 5 to play. This just one year removed from a 32 point season. While the Tree’s limped home, they did secure a UEFA Conference League spot this season.
Handling the Load. The question will be, can Forest handle the increased schedule load and be strong for the full 38 of the PL.
The Club
Located in West Bridgeford suburb of Nottingham (East Midlands)
City Ground, 30,000 capacity
Rough estimates
$160M Annual Revenue
$70M Player Payroll (14th in PL)
History on the Pitch
1 Title in 1978
2 FA Cups
2 Europe Cups
Ownership
Evangelos Marinakis earned a his $3B+ in Shipping and is the Founder of Capital Maritime & Trading, Greece. Also owns Greek club Olympiacos.
In 2018, Marinakis was charged with drug trafficking as one of his ships was found with over 2 tons of heroin worth $70M. NFFC Chairman, Nicholas Randall wrote an open letter to supporters reaffirming his support of Marinakis. In 2021 it was determined there was no evidence implicating Marinakis.
Sponsorship
Home
Away
Biggest Rival - Millwall
Notts County & Forest stadiums are the two closest clubs in all of England, 300 yards. While they are a rival, Forest has been at least 1 league ahead of Notts since 1995.
The East Midlands Derby is contested between Derby County & Forest. In 109 matches Forest has 43W 37L 29D.
Leicester City & Sheffield United are also rivals given their location in the East Midlands.
The Culture
Forest has won titles (but not since the 1970s), have a big fanbase, and great tradition. It's just been out of the spotlight stuck in The Championship. Much of the personality of the club is tied to Brian Clough, “the spiky, provocative and great self-aggrandizer” whose personality put a mark on English Football. Clough brought a brash style for close to 20 years, with success. Forest fans definitely have a “preferred-style” of play - to play beautiful soccer - described by Clough as “aiming for utopia”. Current manager Steve Cooper’s team plays this way, out of the back with precision passing and quick build ups.
The fans have been unwavering and hope this third season back in the PL is not a launching pad. This slogan on a 40-yard banner hung by supporters on the first level grandstand sums up a Forest fan - “Nottingham Forest. No matter what. We’ll be behind you. And will never stop.”
Garibaldi Red
At the founding of the club in 1865, the decision was made to honor Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general who led the Red Coats Freedom Fighters in battle and was populate in England at the time. Forest was the first club to officially wear red.
Arsenal’s red kits are a result of Forest who donated red kits to them at the founding of their club.
Supporters You May Recognize
Lee Westwood
Joe Dempsie
Many UK celebrities
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Song
Made famous by Paul McCartney and Wings, the song was released in 1977 and adopted by Forest fans in 1978 when they won the top league title.
“City Ground, Oh mist rolling in from the Trent, My desire is always to be here, Oh City Ground.
Far have I travelled and much have I seen Goodison, Anfield are places I've been. Maine Road, Old Trafford still echo to the sound, Of the boys in the red from the City Ground.”
Game Day Pub Guide
Tent Bridge Inn
Fan Sites
Official Twitter
@NFFC
High Follows on Twitter
@NFFC_Live (21k)
@NFFCNA (3k)
@Forest_Review (22k)
@Official_NFSC (6k)
@ForestWatch_ (9k)
The Team
The Gaffer
Nuno Espirito Santo (Portuguese), 51yo
Nuno spent 2017-2021 at Wolverhampton and then spent 4 months leading Tottenham before a year long stint in Saudi Arabia.
Looked like manager of the year until the final month of the season last year.
Nuno
ODDS
To Win League +22,000
To Be Relegated +670
Roster Notes
Full Roster click link
CS Projected to finish 13th
Morgan Gibbs-White
Chris Wood
Nikola Milenkovic
Murillo (yes, one name, Brazilian)
Elliot Anderson
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Dan Ndoye
Goalkeeper
Matz Sels - Bottom 10 Keeper in PL.
City Ground
