The 1980–81 season was Nottingham Forest's 116th year in existence and fourth consecutive season in the First Division.
Summary In May, the board appointed Geoffrey McPherson as the club's new chairman, replacing Stuart Dryden. On 30 May McPherson negotiated a new three-year new contract for Clough and Taylor after they won the European Cup Final. The club reinforced the squad, with forward Ian Wallace signing from Coventry City for £1.25 million and Swiss player Raimondo Ponte signing from Grasshopper Club Zürich, to boost an ageing midfield.Football League career stats at Neil Brown On 15 October, the club sold Garry Birtles to Manchester United for £1.25 million, prompting the arrival of forward Peter Ward from Brighton & Hove Albion. In spite of these new arrivals, during the season the team dropped to mid-table, and by spring the midfield was weakened after the departures of Martin O'Neill, Raimondo Ponte, Ian Bowyer and defender Larry Lloyd. Forward Trevor Francis suffered an injury that sidelined him until December. Forest finished the season in 7th place, missing out on qualification for the following season's UEFA Cup after a draw 1–1 with Coventry City on the final day, with Southampton taking the European berth on goal difference.
Forest's defence of the European Cup ended in the first round following a 2–0 aggregate defeat to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia. In the League Cup the team was eliminated in the fourth round by Watford. The club lost the European Super Cup on away goals to Valencia CF. In February, the team lost the Intercontinental Cup 1–0 to Nacional in Tokyo. Finally, in the FA Cup the team was knocked out at the quarter-final stage following a replay with Ipswich Town. Also, after seven seasons Scottish trainer Jimmy Gordon announced his retirement.
Squad
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type FW Ian Wallace Coventry City £1,250,000 MF Raimondo Ponte Grasshopper Club Zürich MF Stuart Gray Youth system DF Stephen Kendal GK Lee Smelt Out Pos. Name To Type FW John O'Hare Retired FW Charlie George Southampton loan ended GK Lee Smelt Peterborough United GK Jimmy Montgomery retired
Autumn In Pos. Name from Type FW Peter Ward Brighton & Hove Albion Out Pos. Name To Type FW Garry Birtles Manchester United £1,250,000
Winter In Pos. Name from Type Out Pos. Name To Type MF Martin O'Neill Norwich City MF Ian Bowyer Sunderland DF Larry Lloyd Wigan Athletic
Spring In Pos. Name from Type DF Einar Aas Bayern München Out Pos. Name To Type MF Raimondo Ponte SC Bastia
Competitions A list of Nottingham Forest's matches in the 1980–81 season.
First Division
League table
Results by round
Matches
League Cup
Second round
Third round
Fourth round
FA Cup
Third round
Fourth round
Fifth round
Quarterfinals
European Cup
Round of 32
European Super Cup
Intercontinental Cup
Statistics Players statistics
Notes
References