Paul Gerrard
| 2004 - | Goalkeeper | 8 games | - |
Paul Gerrard's impact at the club was one of the most positive aspects to come out of the troubled 2003/04 season. He played only eight games, but his commanding performances made him an instant hit with the fans, who will have been delighted to hear of him signing a two-year contract at Forest. The 31-year-old was loaned from Everton by Joe Kinnear after first choice stopper Darren Ward suffered a serious injury, but Ward may now struggle to get back in the team thanks to the arrival of Gerrard.
Forest were unbeaten in Gerrard's two-month loan spell, no small part of which was
down to some brilliant goalkeeping, not only making important saves but also imposing himself on the penalty area in way not seen from a Forest keeper
in a long time. Understandably, Kinnear was keen to sign him up long-term in the summer.
Gerrard himself was out of contract at Everton where he had found himself pushed down the pecking order by a string of top class goalkeepers, including Nigel Martyn, Steve Simonson and Richard Wright. Over the previous few seasons he had spent loan spells at Oxford, Ipswich and Sheffield United. But it was Forest that really captured his heart as he turned downed down offers from a number of big clubs to join the Reds.
Upon signing he said: "There was interest from Leeds and Ipswich, but I just felt that joining Forest was the right thing to do. I really enjoyed my loan spell at the City Ground last season. There's a nice feel about the club, a good staff and I was made to feel really welcome by the supporters, which is important. I discussed all my options with my wife and family over the summer and came to the conclusion that joining Forest was the best move."
Gerrard made nearly 100 appearances for Everton after they signed him from Oldham for £1million in 1996. However, while Forest supporters took to him instantly, Toffees fans have less fond memories of the former England U21
international. One unofficial Everton website describes him thus: "Paul is likely to make one mistake every three matches… his best trick is to scream at his defenders all of the time, but especially after HE has made a mistake. Not fit to kiss the arse of the mother of the person who cleaned big Nev's boots."
Gerrard will see his move to Forest as perhaps his last chance to make himself a success, by helping Forest in their push for promotion. He admits that his was one of the main reasons he joined: "If we can pick up this season where we left off, I think we stand a great chance of promotion. I really do feel this is a club that is going places and I want to be a part of it all."