NOTTINGHAM FOREST HISTORY
29 August, 2009

Tyson flag celebration sparks derby row

On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 2009 Forest beat Derby County to win the Brian Clough Trophy for the first time before Nathan Tyson’s flag celebration sparks a derby row.

Rivalry and derby lore

Defining rivalry moment

Nottingham Forest claimed the Brian Clough Trophy for the first time with a 3-2 win over Derby County at the City Ground, but the match became remembered just as much for Nathan Tyson’s post-match flag celebration.

The fixture had derby pressure, but also the added meaning of a trophy named after the manager who shaped the history of both clubs. Forest started strongly, with Radosław Majewski opening the scoring before Dexter Blackstock converted from a Chris Cohen free-kick and Nathan Tyson finished from a Blackstock pass to make it 3-0.

Derby pulled goals back through a Wes Morgan own goal and Jake Livermore, which made the closing stages less comfortable than the early scoreline had suggested.

The final whistle brought relief and celebration for Forest, then the flashpoint arrived. Tyson picked up a corner flag and ran with it in front of the Derby supporters, prompting angry reactions from Derby players and a melee involving both teams. The FA treated the incident urgently, and Tyson later accepted an improper-conduct charge, turning the celebration into one of the most talked-about moments in the rivalry.

Sources

ESPN; Brian Clough Trophy records; Derby County–Nottingham Forest rivalry records

Explore more Nottingham Forest history

Browse the timeline to discover more events from this day and beyond:

AUGUST
18
Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
22
Nottingham Forest 3–0 Blackburn
26
Vitória SC 1–1 Nottingham Forest
31
Portimonense 1–2 Nottingham Forest Sporting CP 4–1 Nottingham Forest
8
Udinese 1–0 Nottingham Forest Barcelona 1–0 Nottingham Forest
12
Nottingham Forest 2–1 Bayer Leverkusen
16
Nottingham Forest 2–0 Stade Brestois 29
22
Nottingham Forest 0–1 Leeds
25
Nottingham Forest 0–2 Leeds
29
Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest
5
Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham
12
Aston Villa 1–2 Nottingham Forest
19
Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry
11
Crystal Palace 14:00 Nottingham Forest
18
Nottingham Forest 16:30 Arsenal
23
Ipswich 20:00 Nottingham Forest
31
Brentford 15:00 Nottingham Forest
7
Nottingham Forest 17:30 Manchester City
21
Bournemouth 15:00 Nottingham Forest
27
Nottingham Forest 20:00 Chelsea
2
Hull City 20:00 Nottingham Forest
5
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brighton
12
Sunderland 15:00 Nottingham Forest
19
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Everton
27
Manchester United 16:30 Nottingham Forest
30
Newcastle 19:30 Nottingham Forest
2
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Fulham
5
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
1
Brighton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
8
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Crystal Palace
15
Arsenal 15:00 Nottingham Forest
23
Nottingham Forest 15:00 Ipswich
30
Coventry 16:00 Nottingham Forest