Nottingham Forest Quiz
Free Nottingham Forest quiz with explained answers — from Brian Clough and back-to-back European Cups to the City Ground, Stuart Pearce and Trevor Francis.
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easy
What made Forest's 1979 European Cup win especially remarkable?
WhyForest were promoted in 1977 and champions of Europe by 1979, a stunning rise under Clough. -
easy
The 1979 European Cup final was staged in which city?
WhyForest lifted the trophy at Munich's Olympiastadion in May 1979. -
medium
Who captained Nottingham Forest through both of their European Cup triumphs?
WhyMidfielder John McGovern, who followed Clough from club to club, lifted both European Cups as captain. -
medium
Which German club did Forest beat in the 1980 European Cup final in Madrid?
WhyA 1-0 win over Hamburg at the Bernabéu made Forest back-to-back champions of Europe. -
hard
Which combative defender was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 1977‑78 after Clough converted him from striker to centre-back?
WhyBurns won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1977-78 after moving from centre-forward to centre-back. -
medium
Nottingham Forest take their name from which open space where the club's earliest games were played?
WhyThe club took its name from the Forest Recreation Ground, where its first matches were played. -
medium
In which year did Brian Clough become manager of Nottingham Forest?
WhyClough took charge in January 1975 and stayed until 1993. -
hard
Who succeeded Brian Clough as Forest manager in 1993 and led them straight back to the Premier League in 1994?
WhyFrank Clark, a European Cup winner as a Forest player, guided the club to promotion in 1993-94. -
medium
Which Swedish club did Forest defeat in the 1979 European Cup final?
WhyForest won the European Cup at the very first attempt with a 1-0 victory in the final. -
medium
In 1993 Forest sold midfielder Roy Keane for a then-British record fee to which club?
WhyKeane joined Manchester United in 1993 for £3.75m, a British transfer record at the time. -
hard
In the 1979 League Cup final Forest retained the trophy by beating which club 3‑2?
WhyForest came from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 at Wembley to keep the League Cup. -
medium
Who was Brian Clough's long-time assistant, credited as the shrewd talent-spotter behind Forest's success?
WhyPeter Taylor joined Clough at Forest in 1976 and identified many of the title-winning signings. -
medium
Which forward was Forest's top scorer during their victorious 1978‑79 European Cup campaign?
WhyBirtles, a former non-league player, led Forest's scoring on the road to their first European crown. -
hard
Forest's record victory, a 14‑0 rout in 1891, came in the FA Cup against which side?
WhyForest thrashed Clapton 14-0 away in the 1891 FA Cup first round, their biggest ever win. -
medium
Forest won the League Cup again in 1990, beating which club 1‑0 in the final?
WhyA single goal at Wembley beat Oldham Athletic to win the 1990 League Cup. -
medium
Who scored Forest's winning goal in the 1980 European Cup final in Madrid?
WhyThe Scottish winger cut inside and fired the only goal of the game at the Bernabéu. -
hard
Whom did Forest beat in the 2022 Championship play-off final at Wembley?
WhyA first-half own goal gave Forest a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town to seal their return. -
medium
Forest's 2022 promotion ended an absence from England's top division of how many years?
WhyThey had last played in the top division in 1999, returning after 23 years away. -
medium
Which Forest and England forward of the late 1980s was the son of the club's European Cup-winning manager?
WhyNigel Clough starred for his father Brian's Forest side before a 1993 transfer away. -
hard
Which England striker came through at Forest and won the League Cup before joining Cologne in Germany in 1979?
WhyWoodcock, a European Cup winner in 1979, moved to Cologne late that year. -
medium
As European champions, Forest won which additional continental trophy in 1979‑80, beating Barcelona?
WhyHolding the European Cup, Forest beat Barcelona over two legs to win the European Super Cup. -
medium
In roughly which decade were Nottingham Forest founded?
WhyNottingham Forest were established in 1865, making them one of the world's oldest football clubs. -
hard
Which defender holds Forest's record for most appearances, turning out well over 600 times between 1951 and 1970?
WhyBob McKinlay made close to 690 appearances across nearly two decades at the City Ground. -
medium
Forest's record home attendance, set in 1967, was for a First Division match against which club?
WhyA crowd of 49,946 saw Forest host Manchester United in October 1967, the club's all-time home record. -
medium
Which manager guided Nottingham Forest to promotion to the Premier League in 2022?
WhyCooper took over with Forest near the bottom of the Championship in 2021 and led them up via the play-offs. -
hard
Which Forest player famously broke his leg during the 1959 FA Cup final win over Luton Town, yet was a cousin of Elton John?
WhyRoy Dwight scored then broke his leg; ten-man Forest held on to win the 1959 FA Cup 2-1. -
medium
Whom did Forest beat in the 1978 League Cup final, after a replay, to lift the trophy?
WhyForest beat Liverpool in a replay at Old Trafford, winning via a penalty. -
medium
In 2022 Forest broke their transfer record to sign which attacking midfielder from Wolves?
WhyGibbs-White joined for a club-record fee in 2022 and starred in Forest's first season back up. -
hard
Who is recognised as Nottingham Forest's all-time leading goalscorer, with 217 goals in the early 20th century?
WhyWelsh forward Grenville Morris scored 217 goals for Forest between 1898 and 1913. -
medium
In 1995 Forest sold striker Stan Collymore for a then-club-record fee to which club?
WhyCollymore's £8.5m move was a British record and Forest's biggest ever sale. -
medium
Elliot Anderson joined Nottingham Forest in 2024 from which club?
WhyHe came through the academy of the North East club he grew up supporting. -
hard
Which Forest full-back became the first black footballer to play a full England international, in 1978?
WhyViv Anderson made history in 1978 as England's first black full international while a Forest player. -
easy
Which goalkeeper, signed from Stoke City in 1977, was between the posts for Forest's two European Cup triumphs?
WhyShilton joined from Stoke City for £250,000 in 1977 and anchored the defence through both European Cup wins. -
easy
Which uncompromising defender, nicknamed 'Psycho,' became a long-serving Forest captain and fan favourite?
WhyStuart Pearce earned the nickname 'Psycho' for his fearsome tackling and thunderous free-kicks. -
hard
Who scored the only goal of the 1990 League Cup final?
WhyNigel Jemson netted the rebound after his first effort was saved, settling the 1990 final. -
easy
In 1979 Trevor Francis joined Forest and became Britain's first footballer transferred for a fee of around how much?
WhyFrancis's move from Birmingham City broke the £1m barrier for a British transfer for the first time. -
easy
In which year did Forest win their only top-flight league title, the old First Division?
WhyIn their first season back in the top flight, 1977-78, Forest were crowned champions of England. -
hard
Forest sold England centre-back Des Walker to which Italian club in 1992?
WhyWalker joined Sampdoria for around £1.5m before later returning to English football. -
easy
Since their founding, Nottingham Forest have traditionally worn shirts of which colour?
WhyThe club adopted 'Garibaldi red' at its foundation, becoming one of the first clubs to wear red. -
easy
What is the name of Nottingham Forest's home ground, situated on the banks of the River Trent?
WhyForest moved to the City Ground in 1898; it sits beside the Trent, close to Notts County's Meadow Lane. -
easy
Which East Midlands club, also managed to glory by Brian Clough, are Forest's fiercest rivals?
WhyClough won league titles at both clubs; their meetings contest the Brian Clough Trophy.
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About Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest were founded in 1865, making them one of the oldest football clubs in the world, and have played beside the River Trent at the City Ground since 1898. This free Forest quiz covers the whole story: the Garibaldi red they were among the first clubs ever to wear, the Trent End, and one of the most improbable rises in the history of the European game. If you know your Forest, this is your test.
The story belongs to Brian Clough. His side won the First Division in 1977-78 — their first season back in the top flight — then won the European Cup at the very first attempt, beating Malmö 1-0 in 1979, and retained it against Hamburg at the Bernabéu in 1980. Trevor Francis, Britain's first £1 million footballer, scored in the 1979 final; Peter Shilton kept goal; John Robertson supplied the magic on the left. Kenny Burns was reinvented from striker to Footballer of the Year at centre-back, and years later Stuart Pearce — 'Psycho' — became the captain the City Ground adored.
Expect questions on the Clough era, the two European Cups, the League Cup wins, the record sales of Roy Keane and Stan Collymore, and the rivalry with Derby County. You'll be asked which Swedish club Forest beat in 1979, who scored the winner in Madrid in 1980, and what colour the Garibaldi shirt is. Difficulty climbs from easy openers about the City Ground to genuinely hard deep cuts about specific finals, scorers and transfers.
Nottingham Forest quiz answers, explained
Every question from the quiz above. Play it first; each answer stays folded until you open it.
What made Forest's 1979 European Cup win especially remarkable?
Show answer
They had been promoted to the top flight only two years earlier. Forest were promoted in 1977 and champions of Europe by 1979, a stunning rise under Clough.
The 1979 European Cup final was staged in which city?
Show answer
Munich. Forest lifted the trophy at Munich's Olympiastadion in May 1979.
Who captained Nottingham Forest through both of their European Cup triumphs?
Show answer
John McGovern. Midfielder John McGovern, who followed Clough from club to club, lifted both European Cups as captain.
Which German club did Forest beat in the 1980 European Cup final in Madrid?
Show answer
Hamburg. A 1-0 win over Hamburg at the Bernabéu made Forest back-to-back champions of Europe.
Which combative defender was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 1977‑78 after Clough converted him from striker to centre-back?
Show answer
Kenny Burns. Burns won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1977-78 after moving from centre-forward to centre-back.
Nottingham Forest take their name from which open space where the club's earliest games were played?
Show answer
The Forest Recreation Ground. The club took its name from the Forest Recreation Ground, where its first matches were played.
In which year did Brian Clough become manager of Nottingham Forest?
Show answer
1975. Clough took charge in January 1975 and stayed until 1993.
Who succeeded Brian Clough as Forest manager in 1993 and led them straight back to the Premier League in 1994?
Show answer
Frank Clark. Frank Clark, a European Cup winner as a Forest player, guided the club to promotion in 1993-94.
Which Swedish club did Forest defeat in the 1979 European Cup final?
Show answer
Malmö FF. Forest won the European Cup at the very first attempt with a 1-0 victory in the final.
In 1993 Forest sold midfielder Roy Keane for a then-British record fee to which club?
Show answer
Manchester United. Keane joined Manchester United in 1993 for £3.75m, a British transfer record at the time.
In the 1979 League Cup final Forest retained the trophy by beating which club 3‑2?
Show answer
Southampton. Forest came from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 at Wembley to keep the League Cup.
Who was Brian Clough's long-time assistant, credited as the shrewd talent-spotter behind Forest's success?
Show answer
Peter Taylor. Peter Taylor joined Clough at Forest in 1976 and identified many of the title-winning signings.
Which forward was Forest's top scorer during their victorious 1978‑79 European Cup campaign?
Show answer
Garry Birtles. Birtles, a former non-league player, led Forest's scoring on the road to their first European crown.
Forest's record victory, a 14‑0 rout in 1891, came in the FA Cup against which side?
Show answer
Clapton. Forest thrashed Clapton 14-0 away in the 1891 FA Cup first round, their biggest ever win.
Forest won the League Cup again in 1990, beating which club 1‑0 in the final?
Show answer
Oldham Athletic. A single goal at Wembley beat Oldham Athletic to win the 1990 League Cup.
Who scored Forest's winning goal in the 1980 European Cup final in Madrid?
Show answer
John Robertson. The Scottish winger cut inside and fired the only goal of the game at the Bernabéu.
Whom did Forest beat in the 2022 Championship play-off final at Wembley?
Show answer
Huddersfield Town. A first-half own goal gave Forest a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town to seal their return.
Forest's 2022 promotion ended an absence from England's top division of how many years?
Show answer
23 years. They had last played in the top division in 1999, returning after 23 years away.
Which Forest and England forward of the late 1980s was the son of the club's European Cup-winning manager?
Show answer
Nigel Clough. Nigel Clough starred for his father Brian's Forest side before a 1993 transfer away.
Which England striker came through at Forest and won the League Cup before joining Cologne in Germany in 1979?
Show answer
Tony Woodcock. Woodcock, a European Cup winner in 1979, moved to Cologne late that year.
As European champions, Forest won which additional continental trophy in 1979‑80, beating Barcelona?
Show answer
European Super Cup. Holding the European Cup, Forest beat Barcelona over two legs to win the European Super Cup.
In roughly which decade were Nottingham Forest founded?
Show answer
1860s. Nottingham Forest were established in 1865, making them one of the world's oldest football clubs.
Which defender holds Forest's record for most appearances, turning out well over 600 times between 1951 and 1970?
Show answer
Bob McKinlay. Bob McKinlay made close to 690 appearances across nearly two decades at the City Ground.
Forest's record home attendance, set in 1967, was for a First Division match against which club?
Show answer
Manchester United. A crowd of 49,946 saw Forest host Manchester United in October 1967, the club's all-time home record.
Which manager guided Nottingham Forest to promotion to the Premier League in 2022?
Show answer
Steve Cooper. Cooper took over with Forest near the bottom of the Championship in 2021 and led them up via the play-offs.
Which Forest player famously broke his leg during the 1959 FA Cup final win over Luton Town, yet was a cousin of Elton John?
Show answer
Roy Dwight. Roy Dwight scored then broke his leg; ten-man Forest held on to win the 1959 FA Cup 2-1.
Whom did Forest beat in the 1978 League Cup final, after a replay, to lift the trophy?
Show answer
Liverpool. Forest beat Liverpool in a replay at Old Trafford, winning via a penalty.
In 2022 Forest broke their transfer record to sign which attacking midfielder from Wolves?
Show answer
Morgan Gibbs-White. Gibbs-White joined for a club-record fee in 2022 and starred in Forest's first season back up.
Who is recognised as Nottingham Forest's all-time leading goalscorer, with 217 goals in the early 20th century?
Show answer
Grenville Morris. Welsh forward Grenville Morris scored 217 goals for Forest between 1898 and 1913.
In 1995 Forest sold striker Stan Collymore for a then-club-record fee to which club?
Show answer
Liverpool. Collymore's £8.5m move was a British record and Forest's biggest ever sale.
Elliot Anderson joined Nottingham Forest in 2024 from which club?
Show answer
Newcastle United. He came through the academy of the North East club he grew up supporting.
Which Forest full-back became the first black footballer to play a full England international, in 1978?
Show answer
Viv Anderson. Viv Anderson made history in 1978 as England's first black full international while a Forest player.
Which goalkeeper, signed from Stoke City in 1977, was between the posts for Forest's two European Cup triumphs?
Show answer
Peter Shilton. Shilton joined from Stoke City for £250,000 in 1977 and anchored the defence through both European Cup wins.
Which uncompromising defender, nicknamed 'Psycho,' became a long-serving Forest captain and fan favourite?
Show answer
Stuart Pearce. Stuart Pearce earned the nickname 'Psycho' for his fearsome tackling and thunderous free-kicks.
Who scored the only goal of the 1990 League Cup final?
Show answer
Nigel Jemson. Nigel Jemson netted the rebound after his first effort was saved, settling the 1990 final.
In 1979 Trevor Francis joined Forest and became Britain's first footballer transferred for a fee of around how much?
Show answer
£1 million. Francis's move from Birmingham City broke the £1m barrier for a British transfer for the first time.
In which year did Forest win their only top-flight league title, the old First Division?
Show answer
1978. In their first season back in the top flight, 1977-78, Forest were crowned champions of England.
Forest sold England centre-back Des Walker to which Italian club in 1992?
Show answer
Sampdoria. Walker joined Sampdoria for around £1.5m before later returning to English football.
Since their founding, Nottingham Forest have traditionally worn shirts of which colour?
Show answer
Red. The club adopted 'Garibaldi red' at its foundation, becoming one of the first clubs to wear red.
What is the name of Nottingham Forest's home ground, situated on the banks of the River Trent?
Show answer
City Ground. Forest moved to the City Ground in 1898; it sits beside the Trent, close to Notts County's Meadow Lane.
Which East Midlands club, also managed to glory by Brian Clough, are Forest's fiercest rivals?
Show answer
Derby County. Clough won league titles at both clubs; their meetings contest the Brian Clough Trophy.
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