Randy Bumgardener
AKA Randy Bumgardener
Just over 3 years ago, Nottingham Forest let a first leg away lead of 2-0 slip to Yeovil at home. All fans including me were devastated that the dream of returning to the top flight were slipping away season by season. Many (myself included) questioned the tactics and methods used by Colin Calderwood religiously.
over 4 years, I had got used to the feeling that we would concede any second during the 90 minutes. I was genuinely nervous each and every game for the period. We clung on to tight leads, we gave away daft goals, and the team rocked its way towards the playoffs.
The following year, Nottingham Forest returned to the Championship thanks to results elsewhere. Part of me still feels that a massive slice of luck helped us. Maybe the footballing gods were smiling down on that same little club they propelled to European heights in the 70's and 80's. So, where did I think we would be ?
Honestly I was nervous at the thought. The defence was creaky, the strikeforce were not as prolific as a automatic promotion team's should of been, and midfield had little idea. I was scared. The prospect of upping the leagues with only the real quality of Earnshaw added had me believing we would go down. And at that is stayed, until Doncaster. Calderwood was off, The names being banded around were fantastic. One who was not as cheerily welcomed was a little Scot called Billy Davies.
'We don't want that sheep shagger here', 'negative footy', 'troublemaker' were commonly seen.
So, began the Forest career of wee Billy. January came and went. Then something magic happened. Gunter, Blackstock, Camp (just to name a few) appeared. Billy worked his magic and managed to bring in the quality the crowd had been screaming for since we were promoted.
The players came and had an unusual effect. They all fought for Forest. They weren't just here for the short term, they wanted to save Forest ! At the end of the season, Forest finished 10 points off the playoffs. An incredible achievement, and one that Brian Clough would of been proud of.
Now the new season is well underway. The sight of Forest on the fixture list is doing what it did during the great days of sucess. Unnerving teams. Others hate playing us, the team are fighters, they celebrate every goal as if each one of them scored it. They care about each other and most importantly they care about Forest.
Now there is talk of promotion, albeit very cautiously, I for one am still sceptical that we are ready. But finally we are seeing the Forest we always wanted to see. Attractive football, exciting players, fighters and passion ! From the top of the board to the bottom of the club. Each and every person is dedicated and commited to propelling us towards the summit and more sucess.
Just remember, If we lose 1-0 to Newcastle away with a spirited performance stop and remember sitting on the rain soaked terraces of Yeovil, Cheltenham and Tranmere. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face.
In 2 years the team have come a long way. from being bordering on amateurish, to a very very good professional team, intent on future sucess.
Enjoy ;D
over 4 years, I had got used to the feeling that we would concede any second during the 90 minutes. I was genuinely nervous each and every game for the period. We clung on to tight leads, we gave away daft goals, and the team rocked its way towards the playoffs.
The following year, Nottingham Forest returned to the Championship thanks to results elsewhere. Part of me still feels that a massive slice of luck helped us. Maybe the footballing gods were smiling down on that same little club they propelled to European heights in the 70's and 80's. So, where did I think we would be ?
Honestly I was nervous at the thought. The defence was creaky, the strikeforce were not as prolific as a automatic promotion team's should of been, and midfield had little idea. I was scared. The prospect of upping the leagues with only the real quality of Earnshaw added had me believing we would go down. And at that is stayed, until Doncaster. Calderwood was off, The names being banded around were fantastic. One who was not as cheerily welcomed was a little Scot called Billy Davies.
'We don't want that sheep shagger here', 'negative footy', 'troublemaker' were commonly seen.
So, began the Forest career of wee Billy. January came and went. Then something magic happened. Gunter, Blackstock, Camp (just to name a few) appeared. Billy worked his magic and managed to bring in the quality the crowd had been screaming for since we were promoted.
The players came and had an unusual effect. They all fought for Forest. They weren't just here for the short term, they wanted to save Forest ! At the end of the season, Forest finished 10 points off the playoffs. An incredible achievement, and one that Brian Clough would of been proud of.
Now the new season is well underway. The sight of Forest on the fixture list is doing what it did during the great days of sucess. Unnerving teams. Others hate playing us, the team are fighters, they celebrate every goal as if each one of them scored it. They care about each other and most importantly they care about Forest.
Now there is talk of promotion, albeit very cautiously, I for one am still sceptical that we are ready. But finally we are seeing the Forest we always wanted to see. Attractive football, exciting players, fighters and passion ! From the top of the board to the bottom of the club. Each and every person is dedicated and commited to propelling us towards the summit and more sucess.
Just remember, If we lose 1-0 to Newcastle away with a spirited performance stop and remember sitting on the rain soaked terraces of Yeovil, Cheltenham and Tranmere. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face.
In 2 years the team have come a long way. from being bordering on amateurish, to a very very good professional team, intent on future sucess.
Enjoy ;D
