The Champions League is often referred to as one of the best competitions on the face of the earth. But if you see who are the English clubs who have won, we will find a club that is almost forgotten. Until now, there are only two English clubs who have won twice in a row in the Champions Cup, namely Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. If we mention the name Liverpool we will easily recognize, but what about Nottingham Forrest?
The Tricky Trees, that's the name for the club from the city of Nottingham. A city surrounded by charming Sherwood forests, this place is also the origin of the famous Robin Hood Legend.
In the time of Brian Clough's training (1975-1993), Forest had made a sensation in England by presenting 11 trophies. In addition to the two-time Champions Cup winners, the story that was no less horrendous was when the Premier League champions in 1977-1978. During that season, Forest, who had just been promoted not only successfully won the league, but also became the League Cup champion.
Great, because they can reach double winners in the promotion season. This became Forest's extraordinary gait in the Premier League, which was then continued on the European stage. Something that even the club management and Forest supporters themselves did not even predict.
After recording Double Winners, achievement success in Europe is a great achievement that will always be recorded beautifully in the history of the club. There are not many clubs, let alone clubs that are less stylish like Forest, can become European champions twice, in a row as well. Nottingham Forest even has a unique record, as the only club with more European titles than champions in their own domestic league. Nottingham Forest became European champion twice (1979 and 1980), but only once won the English League (1978).
In addition to the achievements in the form of titles, Clough's time with Forest has also recorded a great record with no defeat in 42 matches in the Premier League on November 26, 1977 to December 9, 1978. They beat the record 35 matches without losing recorded Burnley. The amazing record lasted quite a long time, and could only be solved in August 2004 by Arsenal. At that time the Gunners (nickname Arsenal) recorded a record of 49 matches without losing in the Premier League. Ironically, it happened just a month after Clough's death.
The story of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor was later filmed under the title The Damned United
The Damned United film was released in 2009 which tells the life of Brian Clough as a controversial coach in the era of the 70s. In this film, there are not many stories about Brian in Nottingham, but more about the journey of his career in Derby County before success in Nottingham, his dispute with Leeds United coach Don Irvie, and Clough's relationship up with his assistant and best friend Peter Taylor.
Forgotten
But the story of the greatness of Nottingham Forest in the past is now almost unheard of. The 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s were a bleak period for the club based at the City Ground Stadium. Since being relegated from the top division of the English league, Forest has never made it back. Like the lyrics of a song, Forest fell and could not get up again, they "got lost" and did not know the direction of going home.
Waiting for the Resurrection
But as long as you get up there is still always there. When football in the modern era has become a magnet for entrepreneurs, Nottingham Forest has helped rebuild its hopes. In July 2012, Forest was bought by a wealthy businessman from Kuwait, Fawaz Al-Hasawi. It is interesting to see how Forest struggles to return to the highest caste.
Nottingham Forest is now the only former Champions League winner who doesn't play in the first division. Can they restore the glory of the past? Or at least penetrate the tight competition in the main division? However, history has noted that the club from the city of Robin Hood has shocked the world.
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