Forest's Third-Place Miracle: 'It'll Never Happen Again', Insists Crossley
Mark Crossley claims Nottingham Forest's third-place finish as a newly-promoted side in 1994-95 is unrepeatable due to modern football's financial divides. He praises Frank Clark's signings and names his dream six-a-side from that era. The story ties into a Bally Bet vets event at the City Ground.
Picture this: a team bounces straight out of the Championship and rockets to third in the Premier League. Sounds like a fever dream, right? Yet Nottingham Forest pulled it off in 1994-95, and according to ex-goalkeeper Mark Crossley, it'll never be topped again.
Crossley, chatting to GOAL.com, reckons the Reds' heroics deserve a massive pat on the back. Alongside Newcastle United, they're the only newly-promoted sides to hit that lofty height since the Premier League kicked off in 1992. Kevin Keegan's Magpies did it first in '93-94, both squads racking up a whopping 77 points. No one's come close since – the cash gap between divisions is now a bloody chasm.
Clark's Signings: Pure Gold Dust
Forest's revival was down to manager Frank Clark, who took over after Brian Clough's relegation heartbreak. Clark nailed every transfer bar one Italian flop, Andrea Silenzi, who couldn't hack the intensity. In came gems like Bryan Roy, Stan Collymore, Colin Cooper, Des Lyttle, Chris Bart-Williams, David Phillips, and Lars Bohinen.
'We were better than we knew,' Crossley laughs. They were sniffing around the top two until the final stretch, pipping everyone for bronze. 'Lucky to finish third bottom these days, never mind third top!' he quips. Modern bosses face sackings if results don't click instantly, making Clark's shrewd business look like wizardry.
Crossley's Ultimate Six-a-Side Dream Team
The Welsh keeper's not done with squads yet. He's building a Bally Bet All-Stars Vets side to face Forest legends at the City Ground in May – sign up by March 24 if you're a grassroots hero. Picking his ultimate six-a-side from his Trentside days? Piece of piss, mostly.
Between the sticks: himself. Then Stuart Pearce (captain fantastic), Des Walker (still a top lad), teenage Roy Keane (who's this beast?), Lars Bohinen (skills on mini-balls were unreal), and goal machine Stan Collymore ('Just give it to Stan,' was Clark's team talk). Loads missed out: Teddy Sheringham, Steve Chettle, Neil Webb, Steve Hodge, Nigel Clough – you could fill a stadium.
Those three years under Clark, qualifying for Europe? Criminally underrated. Crossley insists Forest were a force misunderstood, peaking when it mattered. In today's money-mad game, bridging that promotion gulf is tougher than ever. Hats off to the Reds – a tale for the ages, pint in hand.