Gers in “major” club storm, only one winner

Rangers and Nottingham Forest, a social media battle I never expected to see despite the small time way they lured one of our previous managers – allegedly.

When the Light Blues official website claimed to be the first “major” team to reach 150 years old, a host of Forest fans – including a journalist from The Athletic – insisted that their status as two time European Cup winners gave them that honour.

Well, without wishing to be pedantic … there is also a team known as Nottingham Forest, founded in 1865. Two European Cups, one Super Cup (never liquidated)👌🏻 https://t.co/Ktu8om1mYM

— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) December 29, 2021

Now there is, of course, no specific definition of a “big” or “major” club and for what it’s worth, I would still say that Forest fall into the former category despite their lack of success since the early nineties but come on, how can a club that currently sits ninth in the second tier of English football claim to still be a major club – they haven’t even finished in the top ten this millennium.

Just 10 trophies in over 150 years – they’ve won the First Division (old Premier League) just once – also points to a club that was good for a short period in their history, would you call Queen’s Park a bigger club than Hearts, Aberdeen or, dare I say it, Hibs, no, but their trophy haul domestically is as impressive.

Forest have never played in the Champions League, a competition devised by our then club secretary, a competition we came close to winning in 1992/93 but as well as this we have reached the latter stages in various continental competitions on numerous occasions – four finals, two semi-finals, five time quarter-finalists and last 16 three times in the last ten years alone with the potential for a fourth this season. Forest have two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final to their name. They haven’t as much as packed their buckets and spades since 1995-96.

A major club in the late 70s and early 80s? Yes. A big club historically? Yes.

A major club now?

Not a chance.