The Brian Clough Trophy is contested whenever East Midlands rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest play each other (known as the East Midlands derby). The trophy is named after Brian Clough, who managed both clubs to great success. The trophy is currently held by Nottingham Forest.
Background and history
Derby County and Nottingham Forest, football clubs located less than 20 miles apart, have long been arch rivals. Unusually, the same man managed both clubs during their greatest periods of success: Brian Clough. He managed Derby County from 1967 to 1973, a time in which they won their first Football League title, and Nottingham Forest from 1975 to 1993, during which they won their only Football League title and two European Cups. On both occasions, he lifted the club from Football League Second Division to the First Division title. In doing so, Clough was only the second manager, after Herbert Chapman, to win the Football League with two different clubs.
Clough himself retired from football in 1993 and died in 2004. In early 2007, officials from Derby County, Nottingham Forest and the Brian Clough Memorial Fund, along with Brian Clough's widow Barbara and his son Nigel, agreed to institute an official tournament between the two clubs that Clough was most successful with as a manager. In a further twist in 2009, Nigel Clough himself became manager of Derby County, having previously played with distinction under his father at Nottingham Forest.
The competition does not regularly demand its own fixture, but is competed for whenever the two clubs happen to meet. The first match, however, was a specially-arranged pre-season friendly, with all proceeds going to charity. That initial game was won by Derby County. For the full history behind the trophy matches – including photos of various matches – there is the official Brian Clough tribute website.
One year after that initial Derby friendly win, the two clubs found themselves in the Football League Championship, where they both would remain for 14 consecutive seasons. As well as these 28 league meetings the clubs were also drawn together in the 2008–09 FA Cup 4th Round, which after a replay meant that the trophy has been contested in 2 FA Cup Fixtures. The trophy been contested in a League Cup fixture once, in the 2019–20 season.
The 2022–23 season was the first since the trophy's inception in which it was not contested, as Nottingham Forest competed in the Premier League while Derby were in League One.
The trophy itself is a silver loving cup with a lid. The cup is over 100 years old, though it had never been used before becoming the Brian Clough Trophy.
Winners As of 18 september 2026, current holders Nottingham Forest have held the trophy for the longest combined time at 3,776 days. Derby County have held the trophy for a combined 3,209 days.
Overview Derby CountyNottingham ForestPlayed3232Captures55Goals3934Games won/retained1814Defence via Victory65Defence via Draw74Most Consecutive Wins/Retentions68Red Cards73
As of 30 . No.TeamReignDates heldDays held1Derby County131 July 2007 – 29 August 20092Nottingham Forest129 August 2009 – 30 January 20103Derby County230 January 2010 – 29 December 20104Nottingham Forest229 December 2010 – 17 September 20115Derby County317 September 2011 – 28 September 20136Nottingham Forest328 September 2013 – 22 March 20147Derby County422 March 2014 – 17 January 20158Nottingham Forest417 January 2015 – 19 March 20169Derby County519 March 2016 – 25 February 201910Nottingham Forest525 February 2019–present+
Results 2007–08 season Friendly
Trophy won by Derby County
2008–09 season
2008–09 Football League Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2008–09 FA Cup, Fourth Round
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2008–09 FA Cup, Fourth Round Replay
Trophy defended by Derby County
2008–09 Football League Championship
Trophy defended by Derby County
2009–10 season
2009–10 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Nottingham Forest
2009–10 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Derby County
2010–11 season
2010–11 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Nottingham Forest
2010–11 Football League Championship
Trophy defended by Nottingham Forest
2011–12 season
2011–12 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Derby County
2011–12 Football League Championship
Postponed on safety grounds after heavy snow
2011–12 Football League Championship
Trophy defended by Derby County
2012–13 season
2012–13 Football League Championship
Trophy defended by Derby County
2012–13 Football League Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2013–14 season
2013–14 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Nottingham Forest
2013–14 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Derby County
2014–15 season
2014–15 Football League Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2014–15 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Nottingham Forest
2015–16 season
2015–16 Football League Championship
Trophy defended by Nottingham Forest
2015–16 Football League Championship
Trophy won by Derby County
2016–17 season
2016–17 EFL Championship
Trophy defended by Derby County
2016–17 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2017–18 season
2017–18 EFL Championship
Trophy defended by Derby County
2017–18 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2018–19 season
2018–19 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Derby County)
2018–19 EFL Championship
Trophy won by Nottingham Forest
2019–20 season
2019–20 EFL Cup
Trophy defended by Nottingham Forest 2019–20 EFL Championship
Trophy defended by Nottingham Forest 2019–20 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Nottingham Forest)
2020–21 season
2020–21 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Nottingham Forest)
2020–21 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Nottingham Forest)
2021–22 Season
2021–22 EFL Championship
Draw (trophy retained by Nottingham Forest)
2021–22 EFL Championship
Trophy defended by Nottingham Forest
References