On this day: Nottingham Forest win Division One title

Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest sealed the Football League First Division title 38 years ago today.
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Forest beat Liverpool 1-0 in a replay at Old Trafford after the original Wembley tie ending goalless with an heroic performance by future England goalkeeper Chris Woods.

A month later Forest enjoyed further glory when they secured the Division One (now Premier League) title.

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What makes the achievement all the more special is it came just a year after Forest had been promoted from the second tier of the English game.

For manager Brian Clough it also gave him the distinction of being only the second manager to lift the top domestic league title with two different sides, having achieved the honour with fierce rivals Derby County back in the 71-72 season.

The side included greats such as Peter Shilton who arrived from Stoke in September of that season for £325,000, Archie Gemmill who arrived from Derby, Kenny Burns, Martin O’Neill and Viv Anderson, who was the first black player to represent England.

Kenny Burns, who had arrived for £150,000 from Birmingham in pre-season, alsp played a key role and was voted footballer of the year.

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The almost ever present front two of Peter Withe and Tony Woodcock combined for 38 goals between them.

But with goals came from all over the park the Midfield duo of O’Neill and John Robertson chipped in with 13 and 18 respectively.

The pair would continue to team in management with Robertson being O’Neills’ assistant at Wycombe, Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa.

While going forward they were a potent force Forest’s success was built on a strong back line and an international goalkeeper in Peter Shilton, with only 24 goals being conceded over the whole league season - 10 less than the next best side in the league, Liverpool.

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Forest used this as a catalyst for the club’s most successful periods. winning the European cup twice beating Malmo in 1979 and Hamburg in 1980.

They also won the European Super cup after beating Barcelona.

The team’s success was immortalised in the documentary ‘I believe in miracles’ last year.