Five Players with most appearances for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

Rested in the heart of England’s East Midlands, Nottingham Forest Football Club boasts a rich history of legendary players who have won the side multiple trophies while donning the famous Garibaldi red with unparalleled pride and passion. The club is in a title chase after barely scraping relegation in the previous season. 

From the glory days of European wins and championships under their legendary Brian Clough to the modern era of resilience and resurgence with their promotion to English football after their struggling days in the Championship, five players stood the test of time and went on to become the club legends. These players not only donned the jersey but also represented the club’s spirit of determination, loyalty, and achievements.

Here are the five players with most appearances for Nottingham Forest: 

1. Bob McKinlay - 454 games 

The one club man, Bob McKinlay, proudly donned the Nottingham Forest red for over 454 games in a career spanning 15 seasons in the English First Division. The Scottish central defender joined Nottingham Forest from the Scottish outfit Bowhill and went on to become a legend when he hung his boots at the club. 

Over 450+ appearances, the central defender had eight goals to his name while being one of the disciplined defenders in an era when defenders were taking out strikers and attackers for fun. His best season in terms of trophies came in 1959 when he went on to be part of the side that won the FA Cup. He became a hero when he helped his transition from a struggling mid-table club to the top side after his retirement. 

2.) Stuart Pearce - 359 games

Alternatively known as “Psycho” Pearce, Stuart Pearce was just more than a footballer for Nottingham Forest. In a career spanning over 13 years at Nottingham Forest, Stuart Pearce was signed from Coventry City in 1985 in a deal worth €340 K. Ever since his debut for the Garibaldis, he never missed a chance to shine at the highest level. 

A left-back and a central defender, Stuart Pearce had 63 goals and 12 assists for Nottingham Forest across all of his appearances for the side. The unforgiving player on the pitch was applauded for the raw emotion and courage he showed. He returned to City Ground in 2014 as a manager, a dream come true for a former player. Before he moved to Newcastle United on a free transfer in 1997, he had 359 top-flight appearances for Nottingham Forest.

3. Nigel Clough - 324 games 

The son of legendary manager Brian Clough, Nigel made his own legacy at the City Ground. He played over a decade for Nottingham Forest following a stint with Heanor. His intelligent play and deep understanding of the game made him different. Following his best performances in Garibaldi’s outfit, he made his move to Liverpool. 

While with Nottingham Forest, he rejoiced in several memorable victories that showed his exceptional footballing intelligence. With 324 games under his belt for the side, he had over 100 goals in the English top division. While he could not win the famous First Division or the European Cups, he left the club with two FA Cup titles. While it could have been easier for the player to get downplayed due to his father’s shadow, Nigel carved out a legacy for himself. 

4. Steve Chettle - 313 games

Raising through the ranks of Nottingham Forest academy, Steve Chettle has the fourth highest appearances for the side in the English top division. Making his debut in the 1986/87 season, he played over 13 seasons for Forest before going on multiple loan stints. The central defender had eight goals across 313 appearances for the side in Premier League and First Division. 

While few players on the list enjoyed successful years at the club, Steve Chettle had to brave the turbulent times. The fans know him for the defensive stability he provided during the tumultuous years. Chettle is known amongst the generation of players who are known for their loyalty during turbulent times. During his time with Forest, he won two FA Cups. 

5. Ian Bowyer  - 304 games

The midfield dynamo for Nottingham Forest in their most successful era, Ian Bowyer, made over 300 appearances for the club over the decade. Bowyer was a versatile player who could seamlessly transition between midfield and defense. He was the unsung hero of Nottingham Forest’s successful European expeditions. 

What made him successful at the club was his tactical intelligence and work rate, a key component in Nottingham’s success over the five years. He was from the generation of players who understood and spread collective success over individual glory. When he hung up his boots, he had an English championship, two European Cups and two League Cups with the side that ruled Europe and English football.