Nottingham Forest have had plenty of players over the years who have made very little impact at the football club.
Before Steve Cooper came along and restored Premier League football to the City Ground, there had been little to shout about for a number of barren years.
It hasn’t always been like that though. Forest conquered Europe twice in 1979 and 1980, with Brian Clough making sure that trips to Wembley were a regular occurrence during his fruitful spell in charge.
The successful years really got going in the 1977/78 campaign when Forest won the First Division title and also defeated Liverpool – after two cracks of the whip – in the League Cup final.
One player will never ever forget the League Cup that year – although he pushed to leave Forest almost as soon as the campaign was over with the trophy still being secured in the cabinet on Trentside.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Chris Woods became Forest cult hero in 1978
Peter Shilton was the immovable object between the posts for Forest during the most part of his five-year spell playing for the Reds, however, he had already played in the 1978 League Cup for Stoke City.
That meant that teenager Woods was thrust into the spotlight with Brian Clough tossing the youngster the gloves and a chance to shine in the absence of one of the world’s best custodians.
Woods was influential in Forest going all the way to Wembley – and then to Old Trafford for the replay – as Forest won the League Cup at the second time of asking.
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A cagey 0-0 draw at Wembley saw Woods make a number of brilliant saves before Forest snatched the replay at Manchester United’s ground by a goal to nil with John Robertson’s penalty winning for Clough’s men.
What happened to Woods after League Cup win for Nottingham Forest
The young goalkeeper had thrown himself into the shop window with his performances in the League Cup with Shilton watching on from the stands.
He knew in his heart of hearts that at such a tender age – and given the worldwide reputation that Shilton had – that first-team football wouldn’t be forthcoming.
Round Opponent Score
R3 Notts County W 4-0
R4 Aston Villa W 4-2
QF Bury W 3-0
SF – 1st Leg Leeds W 3-1
SF – 2nd Leg Leeds W 4-2
Final Liverpool D 0-0
Final – Replay Liverpool W 1-0
Chris Woods appearances in the 1978 League Cup
As a result, just days after helping Forest claim the League Cup, he packed his bags, took his winner’s medal and headed to QPR for a fee of £250,000.
Woods would enjoy a decent career as a goalkeeper. He played for Norwich, Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Burnley before retiring in 1998 with 43 England caps to his name.
Born in Lincolnshire, Woods had a curious time of things at Forest but after his playing days he became a reputable goalkeeping coach, working with Everton, Manchester United, West Ham and the United States national team.