The 1978–79 season was Nottingham Forest's second year back in the Football League First Division. They had won the title in the previous season, meaning that they qualified for the European Cup for the first time in their history.
Summary
Forest opened the defence of their title with six draws in their first seven league matches. On 7 September the 2–1 win at Aston Villa broke the previous undefeated record of 34 consecutive league games by Don Revie' Leeds United in the 1968–69 season. On 28 November the 1–0 win at Bolton set an undefeated record of 42 consecutive league games. The record stood for twenty six years. Garry Birtles broke into the first team and ended up being the club's top scorer as they ended up as league runners-up, retained the League Cup and won the European Cup. Along the way they knocked out holders Liverpool and came from behind to oust West German champions Cologne. Trevor Francis became the first £1,000,000 player when he signed for the Reds from Birmingham City and immediately proved his worth by scoring the only goal of the European Cup final against Malmö in Munich. 26 year old Colin Barrett suffered a serious leg injury 10 days after scoring in the win against Liverpool. He only played seven further competitive games for Forest and 12 in his career.
Players
Transfers In Pos. Name from TypeGK Jimmy Montgomery Birmingham City MF Gary Mills Youth system September 1978 Out Pos. Name To TypeFW Peter WitheNewcastle United £200,000 August 1978
Winter In Pos. Name from TypeFW Trevor Francis Birmingham City £999,999.99 February 1979 Out Pos. Name To Type
Competitions CompetitionStarted roundFinalposition / roundFirst matchLast matchFirst Division – 2nd 1 August 1978 2 May 1979 FA Cup – Fifth round 1 August 1978 FA Cup – Fifth round
Division One
League table
Results by round
Matches
Last updated: 28 August 2011Source: Bridport Red Archive
League Cup
Round Two
Round Three
Round Four
Round Five
Semifinals
Final
Last updated: 28 August 2011Source: Bridport Red Archive
FA Cup
Third round
Fourth round
Fifth round
Last updated: 28 August 2011Source: Bridport Red Archive
FA Charity Shield
Last updated: 28 August 2011Source: Bridport Red Archive
European Cup
First round
Second round
Quarter-final
Semi-final
Final
Last updated: 28 August 2011Source: Bridport Red Archive
Pre-season and Friendlies
Statistics Squad statistics
Last updated: 28 August 2011Source: The City Ground
References