Founded 1865

Joe Kinnear

Joe was appointed in 2004 after Paul Hart's side looked like real relegation material only one season after reaching the play offs, it was a mixture of the best players being sold and morale sinking that orchestrated the problems that Kinnear faced when he joined as manager

Employed for his old school no nonsense manager style which had served Wimbledon so well in the past Kinnear did well in his first few months changing the fortunes of a struggling side and leading Forest to Championship safety by giving the Reds a 14th place finish.

Kinnear particularly found it hard to deal with the history of the club as he started his full season at the club and sought to clear out some of the old attitudes of both supporters and ex players who critiscised him in the local press and on the radio, it was like David Platt all over again from that point on. Once again in the 2004-2005 season Forest found themselves in the relegation zone once more and it seemed that feelings were hitting an all time low at the City Ground

Joe Kinnear famously locked the Reds players away in the dressing room at Priestfield Stadium after Forest threw away a lead to lose to Gillingham with a late winner in 2004. After the inquest Kinnear decided he couldn't face the gathering press and opted for a back door out of the Priestfield. He was tracked down outside the ground and forced to give answers.

Two games later as Forest sank deeper to the foot of the Championship Kinnear saw his City Ground stay ended as his resignation was accepted by the board

After leaving Forest Kinnear was quiet and it was two years later when he appeared as temporary Newcastle United manager where he suffered a heart attack during his time there, he recovered and has never returned to football