Well before we could catch our breath after the first match, another final was looming and a bus to be booked and a rest day to put in. I realised I had arranged to see Julie for a first proper date. Now I had to juggle things around to leave Wednesday free for the match. I wondered if she knew about football and I wondered if she actually knew this was the pinnacle of my beloved team (so far). I really fancied her, but it was the first time Forest had been in a final! Hey, I’ve been a fan since 1964; 14 years and no silverware.

Wednesday tea time I was on the bus with a can or two again. In my mind I knew we could beat them but ‘cup nerves’ had got to me. The team had proved they could cope with the big match and they don’t come much bigger than a final at Wembley (yes I know the FA Cup is bigger but we might get there as well next year).

John McGovern had picked up an injury to add to our woes so I reckon we were still the underdogs, I liked that. He said the team were more comfortable than the Friday before Wembley and the Cloughie quote was: “I am desperate to win this Cup because to beat Liverpool without five regulars would be a fabulous achievement.”

Up at Old Trafford we had already good memories. We had pretty much the same seats as well, behind the ‘Scoreboard End’. A team of reserves versus European Champions, David versus Goliath, and look who won that one; where’s a sling when you want one? The rival coaches were parked away from each other so we hoped we didn’t have the same palarva as at Wembley. The only fact which could cause hassle was that all the fans go in and out by the same approach to Old Trafford. In the ground the atmosphere was fantastic again good vocal support from both sets of fans a right good cup tie spirit.

The game kicked off and we looked and played with more confidence. Woodcock was giving Thompson and Smith a hard time and to say it wasn’t our strongest team out there we played like it. Maybe it was the Wembley occasion but this time Forest upped their game and it was pretty even this time. The magic moment came in the 53rd minute: Woody put O’Hare through and being a former striker he had only Clemence to beat, we held our breath waiting for that moment when the ball was going to hit the net. Then, bang! Thompson trips ‘Old Kinkaid’ up and sends him sprawling onto the damp Old Trafford turf.

“PENALTY!” cried 20,000 Forest fans. The whole of the Forest end were sure and so was Pat Partridge the ref. The ground took on a silence after protests from the Stretford End full of Merseysiders and us with fingers crossed at the Scoreboard End. Robbo, a tried and trusted penalty taker, steps up to take the spot kick against the experienced England number 1 Ray Clemence. Here was a chance to get in front, who knows maybe win it.

Robbo looked unnerved, right footed in the bottom corner to Clemence’s right. 1-0

The defence were solid under skipper for the night Kenny Burns, the midfield were giving 110% and the attackers were causing problems to the experienced Liverpool defence. As the game went on it looked as if one goal would win it and it did as Pat Partridge blew the whistle for full time along with 20 odd thousand of us whistling and urging him to finish the game.

The whistle went and we jumped, bounced, danced and sang with joy. Then my thoughts turned to the opposite end of the ground. There it went deadly silent and what did they think? A team of reserves had just beaten the European Champions.

Well we thought all along we could do it, Gary says with tongue firmly in cheek. Anyway it’s our night. My first major trophy. A place in Europe next season. We applauded as our captain for the night Kenny Burns lifted the cup, pity it couldn’t have been up the 39 steps of Wembley but this’ll do for me. Thinking about it as the team finally left the field; we had an under-strength side but played as though it was a League match this time. It must have been nerves down at Wembley and we are better than the Champions, that only leaves the league to win and then everyone will have to agree:

“NOTTINGHAM FOREST ARE MAGIC, are magic, are magic, are magic…”

Coming out the ground was a bit eerie, the Scousers joined us in the main stream as we headed for the bus parks and we could see it all kicking off. There was a bit of silence until a few Reds fans started singing and then it died down. As we walked, there were individual comments from the odd hot headed Liverpool fans directed at anyone who wasn’t one of them. I heard: “You’ve stolen our cup” and then a familiar voice behind us said, “You f***ing lost you Scouse b******s!”

I gulped for the reaction as it was Froggy (Keith Frogson) from up Annesley Woodhouse, a local hard man, and miner who had more scraps than anyone. We would have classed him as too old for this sort of aggro but it quietened the gang of Scousers. There wasn’t any more trouble around us and we boarded the bus safely and relived the match all the way home.

It had just dawned on us that we were in Europe again and someone from the past sung, “So it’s off to Europe in the Red…” and faded our as Ian Moore wouldn’t dazzle in the sun as he didn’t play any more. I suppose we will have to do another arrangement of that song for next season. I couldn’t wait to see the papers next morning and as I was on day shift it would be afternoon before I got to see one.

The Post had a few quotes from Kenny Burns, what he said was that it was the greatest moment of his life and he was sorry John McGovern couldn’t have lifted the cup. He added that the players were ashamed of themselves after the Wembley tie, but I was proud of them! It showed the players themselves were confident of beating anyone. It made the hair stand upon the back of my neck to think we could have a double and our very first League title.

Even Emlyn Hughes (respected captain) gave praise especially to Kenny and wished Forest good luck. Now that was something, we are being recognised. The whole country are saying we’re good and not just me looking through my red and white glasses as Colin Hitch always said.

It was a proud time and I thought back about the Second Division years and then the appointment of ex Derby manager Brian Clough and now this, a major trophy and a place in Europe. I was glad for Larry Lloyd after being left out since his injury, what a time to come back and claim a first team place. Chris Woods never even played a League match and picked up a medal after two brilliant displays. John O’Hare, a bit of an old campaigner hence our nickname for him, ‘Old Kinkaid’, gets a medal and goes down in Forest history and Liverpool’s goal area.

Withe and Woodcock, Robbo and O’Neill, Bomber and Frank Clark who must confess they wouldn’t dream of getting a medal this soon after Clough’s arrival. Viv Anderson faultless in both games and a thought for John McGovern who had to sit the replay out. Clough and Taylor had brought the good times back to Nottingham Forest

All this reminded me of the Joe Baker era and how proud I was of my team, and now we had beaten everyone in the top flight.

Yes, Forest are Magic!