NOTTINGHAM FOREST THE 1970's

FACTS and
off a signing, when Miah Dennehy joined for
£20,000 from Cork. Miah was in a long line
of lightweight right wingers that the club
seemed to specialize in signing. He had pace
and a few tricks but in his time at the City
Ground, little knowledge of how to best use
them for the team.
Liam O’Kanes long awaited comeback was
getting closer, he had been in full training for
a while and turning out for the reserves but
it looked as if he hadn’t got over the mental
side of the injury as he wasn’t competing as
hard as he used to. He was eventually eased
in at right back, making a few appearances
before a few minor niggles caused him to
miss the rest of the season.
The manager was using this period of the
season to experiment with his line ups,
trying to find a blend that might work.
The undoubted high spots were the two
consecutive 3-0 victories in March against
Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley.
Duncan McKenzie returning from his loan
spell at Mansfield was restored to the side
and given the freedom to express himself.
He might not have scored in the first game
against Wednesday, but he tormented the
Owls defence and this created the space for
O’Neill, Galley and John Cottam to score the
goals.
The best performance of the season came
the following week when champions elect
Burnley visited on Grand National Day, this
was the race when Red Rum won the first of
his titles.
Forest were to make a rare appearance on
national television, as the game was featured
on Match of the Day. The audience were
treated to the sight of McKenzie showing
everyone what he was capable of, dribbles,
feints and also a goal, O’Neill and Lyons
with the others. ‘Scintillating Forest’ was the
headline.
How could the team follow this result
with four consecutive defeats? Further
disappointment on the road as they
conceding three goals away at Orient,
followed by another three in a home defeat
to Middlesbrough that saw O’Kane hobble
off and Chapman also receive an injury that
meant he was a virtual passenger for the
second half.
Luckily enough points had been secured
to ensure that there was no prospect of
relegation, this at least provided the manager
with the scope to carry on experimenting.
Steve Baines came in for his debut at Preston
alongside Miah Dennehy. Steve was another
centre half in the mould of John Cottam,
he only made two appearances for the club
before making a good career for himself in
the lower leagues. He gained fame when he
retired from the game, took up refereeing
and became one of the few ex pros to make it
to the League list.
Opinions about the team under the new
management were divided. Many fans
thought that there was little difference in
the quality of the football, whilst others were
prepared to give the manager more time and
hoped that the youngsters might provide a
brighter future. John Lawson thought that
Mackay should wield the axe, clear out the
deadwood to make way for new additions.
There was also a nice article in the Football
Post about a young forward called Bert
Bowery who was knocking them in for
Mapperley Methodists.
The season wound down with a 1-0 home
win against Sunderland, followed by an away
draw at already relegated Brighton where
Dennis Peacock made his debut in goal, in
a team that showed seven changes from the
lineup that had started the season. Miah
Dennehy scored his first senior goal for the
club.
The County Cup provided some light relief
as the trophy was regained with two nil
victories over Notts and Mansfield, before
the team jetted off to Portugal to compete in
a prestigious tournament with Benfica and
Porto.
The game against Benfica was to have a
significant impact on the career of John
Robertson. Robbo was determind to
enjoy the occasion, this was a chance to
show everyone the skills he possessed.
Unfortunately Benfica and Portugal skipper
Mario Coluna took umbrage at some of the
youngsters tricks and a fierce challenge left
Robertson lying in agony with an injury,
that was so serious he missed the start of the
next season. The psychological impact was
to affect his game and development over the
next couple of years and force a change in his
own style of play.
Forest had found that life in Division Two
was not much easier than the First, a hoped
for promotion push never materialized,
though at least they hadn’t suffered the same
fate as Huddersfield who had come down
with them, they were relegated again along
with Brighton.
The only bright spots were the dismissal
of Matt Gillies and the experience gained
by youngsters John Robertson and Martin
O’Neill, plus it looked as if a role within the
team had finally been found for Duncan
McKenzie, but in reality, unless Dave
Mackay worked a miracle, prospects didn’t
look much brighter for next season.
Aug 12th 1972, H, v. Portsmouth, Draw 0-0, AT 13,175,
Barron, Fraser, Gemmell, Serella, Chapman, Robertson,
McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie, Richardson, ONeill.
Aug 19th 1972, A, v. Hull City, Draw 0-0 , AT 11,189,
Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Chapman, Fraser,
McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie, Richardson, ONeill.
Aug 26th 1972, H, v. Oxford United, Win 2-1, Scorers
Lyall, ONeill, AT 9,591, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell,
Serella, Chapman, Fraser, McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie,
Richardson, ONeill, SUB Buckley.
Aug 29th 1972, H, v. Brighton & Hove Albion, Win 1-0,
Scorer ONeill, AT 10,659, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell,
Serella, Chapman, Fraser, McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie,
Richardson, ONeill.
Sept 2nd 1972, A, v. Carlisle United, Win 2-1, Scorer
McKenzie (2), AT 7,624, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell,
Serella, Cottam, Fraser, McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie,
Richardson, ONeill.
Sept 5th 1972, H, v. Aston Villa, Loss 0-1, AT 17,655,
Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser,
McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie, Lyons, ONeill, SUB Buckley.
Sept 9th 1972, H, v. Luton Town, Loss 0-1, AT 9,495,
Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser,
McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie, Robertson, ONeill.
Sept 16th 1972, A, v. Queens Park Rangers, Loss 0-3,
AT 12,528, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Cottam,
Fraser, Lyons, Lyall, McKenzie, Richardson, ONeill, SUB
Robertson.
Sept 19th 1972, H, v. Cardiff City, Win 2-1, Scorers
ONeill, Richardson, AT 6,414, Barron, Hindley,
Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser, Lyons, Lyall,
McKenzie, Richardson, ONeill.
Sept 23rd 1972, H, v. Aston Villa, Draw 1-1, Scorer
Fraser, AT 18,028, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella,
Cottam, Fraser, McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie, Richardson,
ONeill, SUB Chapman.
Sept 25th 1972, A, v. Millwall, Loss 1-2, Scorer Lyall,
AT 9,021, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Cottam,
Fraser, McIntosh, Lyall, McKenzie, Richardson, ONeill,
SUB Chapman.
Sept 30th 1972, A, v. Sunderland, Loss 1-4, Scorer
Richardson, AT 14,155, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell,
Serella, Cottam, Fraser, Lyall, Chapman, McKenzie,
Richardson, ONeill, SUB Robertson.
Oct 7th 1972, H, v. Huddersfield Town, Draw 1-1,
Scorer Chapman, AT 7,931, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell,
Serella, Cottam, Fraser, Lyall, Robertson, Chapman,
Richardson, Buckley SUB ONeill.
Oct 14th 1972, A, v. Bristol City, Draw 1-1, Scorer
Fraser, AT 13,861, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella,
Cottam, Fraser, Lyall, Robertson, Chapman, Richardson,
Buckley.
Oct 21st 1972, H, v. Swindon Town, Draw 2-2,
Scorers Robertson, ONeill, AT 8,683, Barron, Hindley,
Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser, Robertson, Chapman,
Richardson, Buckley, SUB ONeill.
Oct 28th 1972, A, v, Sheffield Wednesday, Win 2-1,
Scorers Martin, Richardson, AT 21,807, Barron, Hindley,
Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser, Lyons, Robertson,
Martin, Richardson, Buckley, SUB ONeill.
Nov 4th 1972, H, v. Millwall, Win 3-2, Scorers Buckley,
Gemmell, Robertson, AT 11,165, Barron, Hindley,
Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser, ONeill, Robertson,
Martin, Richardson, Buckley, SUB Lyall.
Nov 11th 1972, A, v. Cardiff City, Loss 1-2, Scorer
Martin, AT 12,765, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella,
Cottam, Fraser, ONeill, Robertson, Martin, Richardson,
Buckley, SUB Lyall.
Nov 18th 1972, H, v. Preston North End, Loss 0-1, AT
10,832, Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Cottam,
Fraser, ONeill, Robertson, Martin, Richardson, Buckley,
SUB McKenzie.
Nov 25th 1972, A, v. Burnley, Loss 0-1, AT 12,095,
Barron, Hindley, Gemmell, Serella, Cottam, Fraser,
ONeill, Robertson, Martin, Richardson, Buckley, SUB
Richardson.
Dec 2nd 1972, H, v. Orient, Win 2-1, Scorer Lyall (2),
AT 7,959, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella,
Richardson, ONeill, Lyall, Martin, Robertson, McKenzie.
Dec 9th 1972, A, v. Middlesbrough, Draw 0-0, AT
10,326, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella,
Richardson, ONeill, Lyall, Lyons, Robertson, McKenzie,
SUB McIntosh
Dec 16th 1972, A, v. Fulham, Loss 1-3, Scorer Galley,
AT 8,255, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman,
Serella, Richardson, ONeill, Galley, Lyons, Robertson,
McKenzie, SUB Lyall.
Dec 23rd 1972, H, v. Blackpool, Win 4-0, Scorers
Martin, Fraser, McKenzie, Galley, AT 10,078, Barron,
Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser, ONeill,
Robertson, Martin, Galley, McKenzie.
Dec 26th 1972, A, v. Aston Villa, Draw 2-2, Scorers
Martin, Galley, AT 32,000, Barron, Gemmell, Winfield,
Hindley, Cottam, Fraser, McIntosh, Robertson, Martin,
Galley, McKenzie.
Jan 6th 1973, A, v. Oxford University, Loss 0-1, AT
9,056, Barron, Gemmell, Winfield, Chapman, Hindley,
Fraser, ONeill, Robertson, Martin, Galley, McKenzie.
Jan 13th 1973, A, F.A.Cup, v. West Bromwich Albion,
Draw 1-1, Scorer Galley, AT 15,795 Barron, Hindley,
Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser, McIntosh,
Robertson, Martin, Galley, Lyons.
Jan 16th 1973, H, F.A.Cup, v. West Bromwich Albion,
Draw 1-1, Abandoned, Scorer Lyons, AT 19,168,
Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser,
McIntosh, Robertson, Martin, Galley, Lyons, SUB ONeill.
Jan 20th 1973, H, v. Carlisle United, Win 2-1,
Scorers Martin, Robertson(Pen), AT 6,866, Barron,
Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser, McIntosh,
Robertson, Martin, Galley, ONeil, SUB Lyall.
Jan 22nd 1973, H, v. West Bromwich Albion, Draw
0-0, AT 17,069, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman,
Serella, Fraser, McIntosh, Robertson, Martin, Galley,
ONeill, SUB Lyall.
Jan 27th 1973, A, v. Luton Town, Loss 0-1, AT 10,083,
Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser,
McIntosh, Robertson, Martin, Galley, ONeill, SUB Lyall.
Jan 29th 1973, N, F.A.Cup, v. West Bromwich Albion,
Loss 1-3, Scorer Galley, AT 13,201, Barron, Hindley,
Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser, McIntosh,
Robertson, Martin, Galley, ONeill, SUB Lyall.
Feb 10th 1973, H, v. Queens Park Rangers, Draw
0-0, AT 11,617, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman,
Serella, Fraser, McIntosh, Lyall, Martin, Galley, ONeill,
SUB Jackson.
Feb 17th 1973, A, v. Portsmouth, Loss 0-2, AT 11,151,
Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman, Serella, Fraser,
McIntosh, Robertson, Martin, Galley, Lyall,
Feb, 24th 1973, H, v. Fulham, Win 2-1, Scorers
Galley, McIntosh, AT 8.810, Barron, Hindley, Winfield,
Chapman, Serella, Fraser, McIntosh, Robertson, Martin,
Galley, Lyall.
Mar 3rd 1973, A, v. Huddersfield Town, Draw 1-1,
Scorer Hindley, AT 7,473, Barron, Hindley, Winfield,
Chapman, Serella, Fraser, McIntosh, Robertson, Martin,
Galley, Lyall.
Mar 10th 1973, H, v. Bristol City, Win 1-0, Scorer
Galley, AT 8,680, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Chapman,
Serella, Fraser, McIntosh, Robertson, ONeill, Galley,
Lyall
Mar 13th 1973, H, v. Hull City, Loss 1-2, Scorer
Robertson (Pen), AT 7,711, Barron, OKane, Winfield,
Chapman, Serella, Fraser, McIntosh, Robertson, Martin,
Galley, Lyall, SUB ONeill.
Mar 17th 1973, A, v. Swindon Town, Draw 0-0, AT
10,066, Barron, OKane, Winfield, Chapman, Cottam,
Jackson, McIntosh, Robertson, Martin, Galley, Lyons.
Mar 24th 1973, H, v. Sheffield Wednesday, Win 3-0,
Scorers Galley, ONeill, Cottam, AT 10,488, Barron,
OKane, Winfield, Chapman, Cottam, Jackson,
McIntosh, Robertson, Martin, Galley, Lyons, SUB
Robertson.
Mar 31st 1973, H, v, Burnley, Win 3-0, Scorers
McKenzie, ONeill, Lyons, AT 12,552, Barron, OKane,
Winfield, Chapman, Cottam, Jackson, McIntosh,
Robertson, Martin, Galley, Lyons.
Apr 7th 1973, A, v. Orient, Loss 0-3, AT 6,373,
Barron, OKane, Winfield, Chapman, Cottam, Jackson,
McIntosh, Robertson, McKenzie, Galley, Lyons.
Apr 14th 1973, H, v. Middlesbrough, Loss 1-3, Scorer
McKenzie, AT 9,258, Barron, OKane, Winfield,
Chapman, Cottam, Jackson, McIntosh, ONeill, Martin,
Galley, Lyons, SUB Robertson.
Apr 21st 1973, A, v. Preston North End, Loss 1-2,
Scorer Hindley, AT 7,701, Barron, Hindley, Winfield,
Baines, Cottam, Robertson, Lyall, McKenzie, Galley,
ONeill, Dennehy.
Apr 23rd 1973, A, v. Blackpool, Loss 0-2, AT 8,322,
Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Serella, Robertson, Fraser,
Lyons, McKenzie, Jackson, ONeill.
Apr 24th 1973, H, v. Sunderland, Win 1-0, Scorer
Martin, AT 10,206, Barron, Hindley, Winfield, Cottam,
Serella, Robertson, Lyall, ONeill, Martin, McKenzie,
Dennehy.
Apr 28th 1973, A, v. Brighton & Hove Albion, Draw
2-2, Scorers Dennehy, McKenzie, AT 9,709, Peacock,
Hindley, Winfield, Cottam, Serella, Robertson, Lyall,
Chapman, Martin, McKenzie, Dennehy.
82 NOTTINGHAM FOREST IN THE 1970s
NOTTINGHAM FOREST IN THE 1970s 83