The 1979–80 season was Nottingham Forest's 115th year in existence and third consecutive season in the First Division.
Summary
During summer chairman Stuart M. Dryden reinforced the squad with several players, Left-back Frank Clark announced his retirement and the club bought Frank Gray from Leeds United for £500,000 to cover the position. To replace Archie Gemmill in midfield, the club bought Asa Hartford from Manchester City only to sell him on to Everton F.C. for a small loss after just three games and two months at the club. With the team plummeting to mid-table by winter the club loaned in Forward Charlie George from Southampton F.C. who only played 4 matches and failed to reinforce an attack already weakened after the departure of Tony Woodcock to 1.FC Köln and the injury of Trevor Francis. Also, signing in mid-season was midfielder Stan Bowles from Queen's Park Rangers but the transfer did not work out owing to differences between Bowles and manager Clough. The relative lack of impact of many of these signings led to a 5th place league finish after being title contenders in the two previous seasons.
The club refused to play the Intercontinental Cup against Paraguayan side and Copa Libertadores Champion Club Olimpia.BBC Sports 13 December 2010 – World Club Cup deserves respect, access date: 1 December 2013 In the FA Cup the team was eliminated by Liverpool F.C. in fourth round. In the League Cup the squad fell short of a third consecutive win at the last hurdle, losing in Final to Wolverhampton Wanderers by a single goal. However, the squad won its first European Super Cup with a 2–1 aggregate score after two legs against FC Barcelona. In the European Cup as the holders, the club which advanced again to the Final and clinched its second successive title after defeating 1–0 West German side Hamburg SV who fielded the then-England captain and ex-Liverpool fan favourite Kevin Keegan.
Squad
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type FW Charlie George Southampton F.C. loan GK Jimmy Montgomery Birmingham City MF Asa Hartford Manchester City £385,000 DF Frank Gray Leeds United £500,000 Out Pos. Name To Type GK Chris Woods Queen's Park Rangers £250,000 DF Frank Clark Retired MF Steve Elliott Preston North End MF Archie Gemmill Birmingham City MF Steve Burke Queen's Park Rangers £125,000 MF Asa Hartford Everton F.C. £308,000
Winter In Pos. Name from Type FW Stan Bowles Queen's Park Rangers Out Pos. Name To Type FW Tony Woodcock 1.FC Köln £875,000
Spring In Pos. Name from Type Out Pos. Name To Type DF Colin Barrett Swindon Town MF Stan Bowles Leyton Orient F.C. £100,000
Competitions A list of Nottingham Forest's matches in the 1979–80 season.
First Division
League table
Results by round
Matches
League Cup
Second round
Third round
Fourth round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
FA Cup
Third round
Fourth round
European Cup
Round of 32
Eightfinals
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
UEFA Super Cup
Statistics Players statistics
Notes
References