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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

#NFFC’s first competitive European fixture took place in Spain, on 13th September 1961, against Valencia. A first round Fairs Cup tie. Sixty-four years on - via many famous and historic encounters over the decades - the Reds’ European odyssey resumes in Seville. Vamos! 📸 NFFC

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Take a look back at Forest in the 1960s and you’ll find Terry Hennessey a vital part of that era; dominating the pitch and captaining one of our greatest ever sides. Rest easy, Terry. A true hero of the Garibaldi. 📸 Popper

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Having led Forest in their championship push in 1966/67 and into the Fairs Cup afterwards, Hennessey eventually left Forest in January 1970 for £100,000. He joined Brian Clough & Peter Taylor’s revolution at Derby County and won the league title with the Rams in 1972. 📸 Popper

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

The following day Hennessey made his first appearance in a 2-1 win over Blackpool at the City Ground. He missed only four games for the rest of the season, becoming a key component in the Reds’ defence. Ahead of the 1966/67 season, Hennessey was made club captain. 📸 Mirror

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Hennessey is pictured here with chairman Fred Sisson and manager Johnny Carey on 19th November 1965, having joined for £50,000 from Birmingham City. Hennessey said: ‘I am glad to be able to play for a club like Forest. They are a fine footballing side.’ 📸 Nottingham Guardian

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Very sad to hear the news about our former captain Terry Hennessey who has died at the age of 82. He made 183 appearances for #NFFC between 1965 and 1970, and was ever present in the famous 1966/67 campaign where we finished second. He was a cousin to Wayne Hennessey. 📸 PA

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

For a limited time only, copies of ‘TRAILBLAZERS’ are at the excellent price of just £13.67 on Amazon. Explore the Reds incredible pioneering history yourself, or maybe consider it as a gift for someone. All author proceeds to @Forza-garibaldi.bsky.social. Thanks. www.amazon.co.uk/Trailblazers...

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Nigel Mansell drives his Formula One car onto the City Ground pitch ahead of the 1992/93 season as #NFFC announce a new sponsorship deal with Labatts. There are also some nice shots of the partially built Bridgford End which was still a few months away from completion. 🎥 Mace

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

The crowd against Senegal will be the largest to ever watch an England game in Nottingham, while the Three Lions will be hoping to continue their 100% record in the city. It will hopefully be a memorable occasion as England return to the City Ground once again. <ENDS>

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

On Tuesday, the Three Lions finally visit the City Ground once more. For Forest fans, there is hope that an England international on our own turf can finally be marked by the appearance of a #NFFC player. Morgan Gibbs-White might hopefully end a 128 year wait. 📸 BBC

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Davies was a long time servant for the Reds, eventually becoming the club physio. There is no apparent record of him ever playing for Wales, so Astley’s late arrival that day may have provided Davies with the honour of briefly representing his country just that once.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

There was also an unexpected appearance from a Forest player in this game, although it wasn’t for England. Owing to the late arrival of Wales’ Dai Astley, the Reds’ Welshman Bob Davies (pictured), who wasn’t even part of the squad, played until Astley arrived.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

It was another convincing win on Trentside for England who recorded a 4-1 over their neighbours. The scorer of all four England goals was Charlton’s Don Welsh which led to the headline of ‘WELSH BEAT WELSH’ in the Nottingham Journal report. 📸 Nottingham Journal

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

It took another 32 years for England to return to Nottingham. In April 1941 the City Ground was chosen to host a wartime international match, with Wales the opponents once more. 📸 Nottingham Evening Post

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Again, there were no Forest players representing England but future Reds goalkeeper Sam Hardy was in goal that day. Hardy kept a clean sheet as England earned a 2-0 win in Nottingham on their way to a securing the Home Championships that year. 📸 Popperfoto / Getty

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

A year after the Ireland game, Forest moved to the City Ground and the Reds hosted their first England international in 1909, a Home International Championship game against Wales on 15th March. The Evening Post noted that this was only the second England fixture in Nottingham.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

It was a rampant 6-0 win for England. There were no Forest players in the England team but two Derby players featured, including Steve Bloomer who scored two of the goals. 📸 Sheffield Independent / EnglandFootballOnline.com (inc first pic)

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

England hosted Ireland on 20th February, and the Sporting Life newspaper praised the choice of Trent Bridge as the venue: ‘Situated in the very heart of the football-loving district of England it is easily accessible from all parts of the country.’ 15,000 were in attendance.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 On Tuesday, the England senior mens team will return to the City Ground for the first time in 84 years. It will be the fourth time the Three Lions have appeared in Nottingham, the first way back in 1897 at Trent Bridge. Cont…

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Although our safety has been confirmed for a long time, we will also now experience an unprecedented 4th consecutive Premier League campaign, with a European adventure combined. The last time this happened, Forest finished 9th after reaching the QF of the UEFA Cup in 1996.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

A rather meaningless but nevertheless interesting stat I thought. Other than the more recent top flight additions, placing higher than Manchester United has been a long time coming. It is the first time Forest have finished above them in the league since 1990.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

This will leave FIVE clubs that Forest have never finished above when competing with them in the Premier League i.e when we were both in the top flight together since 1992. Oldham (92/93) Blackburn (various) Derby (96/97) Sunderland (96/97) Charlton (98/99)

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

At the start of 2024/25 there were six of the CURRENT top flight clubs that #NFFC had never finished above when competing in the same Premier League season. Bournemouth Brentford Brighton Fulham Man United Wolves We are now confirmed to place higher than all of them. Cont…

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

The game ended 2-2 in front of 6,901. Tot Leverton scored a brace for the Reds. It had been intended for there to be a return fixture at the City Ground the following day but this idea was shelved due to the ongoing war effort. 📸 Ken Smales

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

The front of the Nottingham Evening Post on VE Day 1945. To commemorate the end of the war, #NFFC and Derby County agreed to meet the following day at the Baseball Ground.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

20 years ago today, on a dismal day at Loftus Road, #NFFC were relegated to League One. It was an awful period for the club but, having lived through it, it does make you grateful for our current lot. *I’m actually in this photo 😄

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Continuing a rummage through the late 1920s, I enjoyed this NEP story from Christmas Eve 1926 about Frank Goodall, a Forest fan living in Pennsylvania, USA. Unable to attend himself, he sent the club 8 shillings to pay for another #NFFC supporter ‘down on his luck’ to attend a game at Grimsby.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

I’m currently spending research time in the late 1920s for another piece that will be out soon, so expect a little bit more from this era in the days ahead. It’s arguably, I think, the most overlooked period in the club’s history although it was fairly uneventful. More to come.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

I found this column that #NFFC captain Bob Wallace wrote for the Birmingham Mercury in 1928. It’s got some nice bits on Forest, but I’m sharing it mainly for Wallace’s recollection of his time playing in Ireland pre-Forest, where club directors routinely fired guns during games!

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

The #NFFC squad of the 1926/27 season; a campaign in which the Reds finished 5th in the Second Division. For those of you who have reached Chapter Ten of ‘TRAILBLAZERS’, the fellow on the right in the tilted hat is Bob Marsters, the club secretary, who led the club so brilliantly through the war.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

A really enjoyable chat on the @footballheritage.bsky.social podcast, discussing ‘TRAILBLAZERS’, along with #NFFC culture and history. Have a listen.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

It’s a month since ‘TRAILBLAZERS’ was released and it’s had such a wonderful response, even a swift 2nd print run! Copies are widely available online, plus signed books are in Nottingham Waterstones. I’m donating all proceeds to @forza-garibaldi.bsky.social #NFFC www.amazon.co.uk/Trailblazers...

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I was pleased to join @countrywol.bsky.social recently on his excellent Football Literary Society podcast to discuss my book, ‘Trailblazers’, and the remarkable history of #NFFC. Along with an interesting ramble on the Reds which you might enjoy. Take a listen here: soundcloud.com/jonny_brick/...

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Yes - the FA Cup. Good to hear you are enjoying the book.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

The remarkable story of Francis’ move to #NFFC is told in Chapter 15 of ‘TRAILBLAZERS’. One of twenty chapters that tell the story of the Garibaldi Reds’ pioneering exploits. www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/trailbl...

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

The Reds triumphed 5-0 at Exeter. Peter Taylor managed the side alone as Brian Clough was on holiday. Just over three months later, Francis stooped low in the Olympiastadion to secure the European Cup for Forest. 📸 UEFA

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Francis had featured the week prior in a Forest ‘A’ game against Notts County, but this was a first senior team appearance in what was a strong Forest XI. The game was arranged at very late notice, as Forest sought opposition due to several postponed games. 📸 Grecian Archive

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Tomorrow, #NFFC will be returning to the place where a little bit of football history took place… In February 1979, Trevor Francis came off the bench in a testimonial game for Exeter’s Nicky Jennings. It was his first appearance following his £1m transfer. 📸 Mirror

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Thanks Chris. Demand I gather has totally surprised both publisher and suppliers, so there are some delays getting copies out but hopefully it won’t be long.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Copies are available from various places now, including bookshops. A quick Google search will show you lots of options but Amazon & Hive appear to be the cheapest online. As ever, I’m really grateful to all who purchase a copy. www.amazon.co.uk/Trailblazers...

amazon.co.uk

Trailblazers: The Ground Breaking History of Nottingham Forest Football Club

Buy Trailblazers: The Ground Breaking History of Nottingham Forest Football Club by Matthew Oldroyd (ISBN: 9781801509336) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I’m really pleased to make an initial donation to @Forza-garibaldi.bsky.social of £1,305 through sales of ‘TRAILBLAZERS’ from last week’s launch event and other direct sales. A further donation will be made at a later date to include sales via retailers etc. Thank you. #NFFC

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

And a few excellent shots from Our Glorious Banners.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who turned out last night. That was a bigger crowd than I was anticipating! Special thanks to the Playwright for their hospitality and to @marpsdavid.bsky.social for hosting the Q&A. Hopefully everyone enjoyed it.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

If you can’t make the event but would like a signed copy, I will hopefully have a small number available so please message me directly. Or you can you buy online at numerous places, and in stores from tomorrow. Pre-order: www.amazon.co.uk/Trailblazers...

amazon.co.uk

Trailblazers: The Ground Breaking History of Nottingham Forest Football Club

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

To mark the release of ‘Trailblazers’, my book on the pioneering heritage of #NFFC, I’m holding a launch event at the Playwright pub on Monday. Personally signed copies of the book will be available to purchase, and I’ll do my best to say a few words! Thanks.

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The Forest Preservation Society @forestpressoc.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Thank you to everyone who had ordered a copy so far, I’ve had a really fantastic response. I’ve got a good amount of copies in my possession now which will be available at Monday’s launch event at the Playwright, and can be personally signed. Pre-order: www.amazon.co.uk/Trailblazers...

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Reposted by The Forest Preservation Society

Forest Focus Podcast @forestfocuspod.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

💰 Murillo deal and Wissa bid 🏟️ Forza Garibaldi and its future 📕 4 year labour of love @mattdaviesff.bsky.social is joined by @gergmitch.bsky.social and Forza co-founder @forestpressoc.bsky.social to discuss his new book #nffc 🍎 Apple podcasts: tinyurl.com/am773uuc 📱 YouTube: tinyurl.com/3259upwf

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