Having started so brightly in the First Division, culminating in a 3-0 home win against Derby County, Forest had a break from league action when they were drawn to play West Ham United in the League Cup 2nd round on Tuesday night, 30th August 1977.
Now to say Forest's record in the League Cup had been poor over the years would be an understatement in the extreme. In the 17 seasons since the competition had started (in 1960-61) Forest's best performance had been to reach the 4th round (the last 16) which they managed only twice - in the very first season (when several clubs didn't even enter) and again in 1969-70. Forest didn't even take part in the competition themselves for four seasons (between 1962-63 and 1965-66).
West Ham, on the other hand, had always done quite well in the League Cup. They had competed in every tournament for a start and reached the final in 1965-66, losing to West Bromwich Albion 5-3 on aggregate, the last time the League Cup final was played over two legs. They'd also reached the traditionally two-legged semi final stage three times. In the 17 seasons the tournament had taken place, West Ham had progressed further in the cup than Forest 12 times. Only thrice did Forest do better than the Hammers. Twice they'd both got knocked out in the same round.
West Ham, as a consequence, had played more than twice as many League Cup games than Forest and scored more than three times the number of goals before they met that night.
The one tiny slither of consolation for us was that the only time we'd met before in the competition, Forest had won 1-0 in 1969-70, through a Barry Lyons goal in front of 20,939.
So after the perfect start to the season - three league wins and a big win in the cup - Forest next faced the tricky trip to North London and Arsenal away at Highbury
Forest's Very Poor Record in the League Cup (Prior to 1977)
| Team | Best Round | P | W | D | L | F | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest | 4th (1960-61, 1969-70) | 31 | 13 | 5 | 13 | 45 | 42 |
West Ham, on the other hand, had always done quite well in the League Cup. They had competed in every tournament for a start and reached the final in 1965-66, losing to West Bromwich Albion 5-3 on aggregate, the last time the League Cup final was played over two legs. They'd also reached the traditionally two-legged semi final stage three times. In the 17 seasons the tournament had taken place, West Ham had progressed further in the cup than Forest 12 times. Only thrice did Forest do better than the Hammers. Twice they'd both got knocked out in the same round.
West Ham, as a consequence, had played more than twice as many League Cup games than Forest and scored more than three times the number of goals before they met that night.
The one tiny slither of consolation for us was that the only time we'd met before in the competition, Forest had won 1-0 in 1969-70, through a Barry Lyons goal in front of 20,939.
| Team | Best season | P | W | D | L | F | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Ham | Final (1965-55) | 65 | 33 | 12 | 20 | 137 | 83 |
Clubs Took the League Cup Seriously in those Days
Under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor there was never any idea of taking the foot off the peddle in any tournament. They'd always play a full strength team, even in the Anglo-Scottish Cup. Whereas these days, most clubs, even those in the second and third tiers, will field a weakened first eleven for the League Cup (especially the early rounds), in 1977-78 the competition was taken seriously, especially by the management in Nottingham at the time.
So, the team that night was, again, unchanged for the 4th time in the season. West Ham too, fielded practically the same team as in their opening three league games, although as the Irons (Irons, Hammers, who knows?) had lost all three no-one would have been critical if they had made a few changes.
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| The original Frank Lampard |
West Ham had some famous players in their line up including Frank Lampard (that's the dad of the perhaps more famous Frank, to younger fans), Mervyn Day and Alan Curbishley. Another confusing (with the benefit of hindsight) player's name in the West Ham team that night was Bryan Robson. Again this is not THE Bryan Robson, that most fans will remember (of Man Utd and England fame) - but "Pop" Robson.
The most famous West Ham player of that era, Trevor Brooking didn't play, however. That was a shame as he might have provided some banter fodder for the Trent End. Cloughie never really fancied Brooking.
The most famous West Ham player of that era, Trevor Brooking didn't play, however. That was a shame as he might have provided some banter fodder for the Trent End. Cloughie never really fancied Brooking.
The Teams
Nottingham Forest
1 John Middleton, 2 Viv Anderson, 3 Frank Clark, 4 John McGovern, 5 Larry Lloyd, 6 Kenny Burns, 7 Martin O'Neill, 8 Ian Bowyer, 9 Peter Withe, 10 Tony Woodcock, 11 John Robertson.
(Goals: Ian Bowyer 2, Martin O'Neil, Tony Woodcock and Peter Withe)
West Ham United
1 Mervyn Day, 2 Frank Lampard, 3 Paul Brush, 4 Geoff Pike, 5 Bill Green, 6 Kevin Lock, 7 Alan Taylor, 8 Bryan 'Pop' Robson, 9 John Radford, 10 Alan Curbishley, 11 Alan Devonshire, 12 Anton Otalokowski (came on for Paul Brush.)
Again, I have hardly any memories of the match and I cannot remember any of the goals. It wasn't televised so I'm stuck really. I remember standing on the Main Stand terracing and that it was a very easy win. The attendance was 18,224 - our lowest of the season discounting the County Cup final versus Notts County.
According to the scribble on my program (see below) John Robertson must have impressed me. He was my man of the match with 9/10. Martin O'Neill, Ian Bowyer and Tony Woodcock all got 8. If anyone has any proper memories of the game, please share them below.
According to the scribble on my program (see below) John Robertson must have impressed me. He was my man of the match with 9/10. Martin O'Neill, Ian Bowyer and Tony Woodcock all got 8. If anyone has any proper memories of the game, please share them below.
Other Interesting Ties in that (2nd) Round
Arsenal 3 Manchester United 2
Birmingham City 0 Notts County 2
Burnely 3 Norwich City 1
Derby County 3 Orient 1
Exeter City 1 Aston Villa (Holders) 3
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0
Newcastle 0 Millwall 2
Sunderland 2 Middlesbrough 2
Tottenham 4 Wimbedon 0
So after the perfect start to the season - three league wins and a big win in the cup - Forest next faced the tricky trip to North London and Arsenal away at Highbury
Here are the key pages from the match day program...
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