FOREST HISTORY · Historic event

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19 April, 1980

Gray winner settles Derby clash

On this day in 1980 Forest beat Derby County at the City Ground.

Rivalry and derby lore

Defining rivalry moment

Nottingham Forest beat Derby County 1-0 at the City Ground in a Division One East Midlands derby during their second European Cup-winning season.

Frank Gray scored the only goal shortly before half-time, giving Forest a narrow but satisfying home victory over their local rivals. In a fixture shaped by geography, rivalry and Brian Clough’s history with both clubs, even a single goal carried a strong emotional charge.

The match sat inside a demanding period for Forest. They were competing domestically while also defending the European Cup, so league fixtures still required focus and discipline even as bigger continental nights surrounded them.

For supporters, the appeal was direct: Derby came to the City Ground and were beaten. The 1-0 scoreline may have been tight, but in derby football the margin is often less important than the result itself.

Sources

11v11; Transfermarkt; Nottingham Forest season records

Explore more Nottingham Forest history

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Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest
5
Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham
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Aston Villa 1–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry
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Crystal Palace 14:00 Nottingham Forest
18
Nottingham Forest 16:30 Arsenal
23
Ipswich 20:00 Nottingham Forest
31
Brentford 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 17:30 Manchester City
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Bournemouth 15:00 Nottingham Forest
27
Nottingham Forest 20:00 Chelsea
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Hull City 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brighton
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Sunderland 15:00 Nottingham Forest
19
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Everton
27
Manchester United 16:30 Nottingham Forest
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Newcastle 19:30 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Fulham
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Nottingham Forest 19:30 Hull City
16
Manchester City 15:00 Nottingham Forest
23
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Bournemouth
30
Chelsea 15:00 Nottingham Forest
6
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brentford
10
Fulham 20:00 Nottingham Forest
20
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Manchester United
27
Everton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
3
Nottingham Forest 20:00 Newcastle
13
Tottenham 15:00 Nottingham Forest
20
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Aston Villa
10
Leeds 15:00 Nottingham Forest
17
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Liverpool
24
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Sunderland
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Brighton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
8
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Crystal Palace
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Arsenal 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Ipswich
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Coventry 16:00 Nottingham Forest