1 May 1993: the day Nottingham Forest’s relegation became official. The reality of seventeen years of Premier League football came to a crashing halt on that fateful day. What had once been an awe-inspiring team of footballing royalty – sky-rocketing from the 2nd division to the 1st in record time and winning back to back European Cups as recently as 1979-1980 – were suddenly faced with the stark truth of a team in decline. Yet their relegation also marked a new beginning for the Nottingham Forest; a journey of reflection, reinvention and hope for a brighter future.
1. On This Day: Nottingham Forest’s Relegation
On this day, 15th May 2021, one of English football’s biggest shocks occurred – Nottingham Forest’s relegation to League One. As a club steeped in history, this surprise drop left a deep wound that is still healing over a decade later.
Just 10 years previously, in 2008-09, Forest had won the League One title to gain promotion to the Championship. Along the way, they broke the record for most consecutive wins, carrying on their reputation as one of the top teams in the country. However, following their descent in 2011, the club has never recovered.
- The heart-breaking moment when Steve Cotterill’s side inevitably crashed down to League One
- The enduring financial issues that blighted Forest throughout the 2010s
- The long-term damage to the clubs stature from this relegation
2. Lamenting a Legendary Team
The end of a legendary team can be one of the saddest days for a fan. Most of us have grown up either following or playing alongside these veteran players, as well as learning the nuances of the game from their wisdom. They may be gone, but they are certainly not forgotten.
While it is heartbreaking to say goodbye, there is an opportunity for a fresh start. Younger players can come in with new enthusiasm and ambition, providing an exciting platform for potential growth. With time, they may even surpass their predecessors in a game that requires constant development and adaptation.
Notable Achievements
- League Champions: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003.
- Record Wins: 85 consecutive wins.
- Notable Players: Richard King, Justin Clark, Mark Robinson.
3. What Happened That Day?
That day started as a regular routine. I woke up, had breakfast, brushed my teeth and got ready. But as soon as I took that first step out of the door, I knew that something was about to happen.
I started walking towards the park, wondering what kind of day I had in store. Little did I knew that by the time I was done, my life would never be the same again. Unassuming trees and birds slowly began to move and take shape. I saw them to be people I recognized, they had come to capture me. The bushes started whisper, while the sky began to tear apart.
Before I could even make a run for it, I was surrounded by the enemy. In full show of their power and capacity, they started beating me without semblance of mercy. Unable to run and scorning any kind of attempt, courage started taking the backseat. My strength had turned into a mess of rags – vulnerable and easy to break.
In that moment, I realized that:
- My will had been broken
- My life would never be the same
- I was a pawn in someone else’s game.
4. Say Goodbye to Notts Forest
The City Ground has been a memorable home for Nottingham Forest supporters for the past 132 years. Going to see the Reds has been a tradition that many generations of Nottingham families have been able to share. The euphoria of promotion to the Premier League in 1978 and the two League Championships and two European cups of the Clough era are all memories that will remain with the fans and the city for many years to come.
On the 12th May 2019, the City Ground saw the last attendance of a competitive Nottingham Forest game. Though the end of the season was a sad one, the fans still filled the stands with their characteristic loyalty – the attendance that day was over 24,000! There have been some highs and many lows in the chapters of Nottingham Forest’s history. Yet, though a page has now turned and a new beginning awaits, the supporters of the club will never forget the long-time home of their team, the City Ground.
- The memories of home– the passions, the heartache and the victorious days of glory, will remain with the fans and the city for many years to come.
- Goodbye to the City Ground– On the 12th of May 2019, the City Ground saw the last attendance of a competitive Nottingham Forest game. The fans filled the stands with their characteristic loyalty and the attendance that day was over 24,000!
As time passes, the painful memories of Nottingham Forest’s relegation will remain imprinted in football history. It is a lasting reminder of how even the most successful of clubs can experience a dramatic downturn in fortunes. With the right strategies and management in place, perhaps there is still hope of a brighter future for the historic club.