The 1985–86 season was Nottingham Forest's 121st year in existence and ninth consecutive season in the First Division. Also the club competed in the FA Cup and League Cup.
Summary During summer the Board appointed Archie Gemmill as its new coach assistant, the former midfielder returned to the club after six seasons. Another arrival was midfielder Neil Webb in June, manager Brian Clough paid Portsmouth £250,000 reinforcing an ageing squad. To reinforce the defensive line, Left-back Defender Stuart Pearce was brought by manager Brian Clough. Pearce was the makeweight in a £300,000 deal that saw Coventry City centre-back Ian Butterworth move to Forest. The already ageing squad is rebuilding for this season, Dutch Goalkeeper Hans Segers with several injuries was replaced by Steve Sutton as starter. In defence, after the departure of Kenny Swain the right back position was covered by Northern Irish Gary Fleming. Central backs Paul Hart and Chris Fairclough were replaced by arrival Buttersworth and young defender Des Walker who had his breakthrough as starter. On the left back Scottish Jim McInally left his post as starter being replaced by arrival young defender Stuart Pearce. In the midfield, Clough reinforced the line with Right winger Franz Carr (he was already in the team since August 1984) and the new arrival Neil Webb for the central midfield amongst Metgod and veteran Ian Bowyer. The strikers line was completed by young forward Nigel Clough and veteran Davenport who clinched a transfer to Manchester United on 12 March 1986 for a fee of £750,000.
The rebuilding had a cost for the club finishing on a mediocre 8th spot in League. The club opted out of Full Members' Cup in its 1985–86 edition.
Squad
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type DF Stuart Pearce Coventry City£238,000 MF Neil WebbPortsmouth £210,000 MF Brian RiceHibernian £182,000 DF Ian ButterworthCoventry City MF John RobertsonDerby County MF Leigh PalinAston Villa DF Brett Williams MF Archie Gemmill MF Steven Murray FW Mick Perry Out Pos. Name To TypeMF Steve HodgeAston Villa £450,000 DF Kenny SwainPortsmouth DF Bryn GunnShrewsbury Town loan DF Paul HartSheffield Wednesday MF Paul RaynorHuddersfield Town FW David LonghurstHalifax Town
Winter In Pos. Name from Type Out Pos. Name To Type DF Bryn GunnWalsall loan DF Mark SmalleyBirmingham City DF Alan DavidsonSouth Melbourne FW Paul Kee Southampton
Spring In Pos. Name from Type Out Pos. Name To Type DF Bryn GunnMansfield Town loan FW Peter DavenportManchester United £657,000
Results
Division One
League table
Results by round
On June 2, 1985, English teams were banned by UEFA from its competitions from the season 1985–86 on until the season 1990–91 because of the Heysel Disaster in 1985, involving Liverpool fans.
Matches .- Source: https://www.11v11.com/teams/nottingham-forest/tab/matches/season/1986/
League Cup
FA Cup
Statistics Squad statistics
References