In the age of mega inflation-busting transfer fees for the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Pogba, £1 million may seem like chicken feed. However, in the 1970s this was considered a mammoth amount. In 1979 Brian Clough brought striker Trevor Francis over to Nottingham Forest. He cost a total of £1.18 million, making him the most expensive British transfer at the time. The move caused a sensation [...]

England are yet again on the hunt for a new manager. The England team is at one of its lowest ebbs and needs a radical new approach to regain its pride. Inevitably, the FA’s initial answer was to go for the inoffensive yes man, Gareth Southgate. Although on this occasion, even Southgate saw the job as a poisoned chalice. The FA has been making the same mistakes for decades. But back in the 1970s and ’80s, it made possibly its biggest error - Brian Clough was overlooked for the job both in 1977 and 1982 [...]

As Nottingham Forest’s anniversary year draws to a close, Alex Walker takes a wider look at the momentous year that was 1865...

With Forest legend Martin O’Neill expected to be named as the new Ireland manager, Alex Walker profiles the midfielder and his remarkable international career with Northern Ireland...