Nottinghamshire

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It has been 35 years since Nottingham Forest last lifted a major trophy, but it is still a day that former forward Nigel Jemson "will never forget".

The 55-year-old scored the only goal in a famous Wembley day that saw the Reds beat Oldham Athletic 1-0 and lift the League Cup on 29 April, 1990.

Looking back on the game, Jemson told East Midlands Today: "They are so strong the memories, even though it was 35-years-ago.

"Just playing for the shirt at Wembley was an incredible feeling. I can remember Cloughy [Brian Clough] saying to me the day before - he used to call me 'Big Head' because I was confident - he said 'go and score me a goal tomorrow'.

"But just to walk out at Wembley was an unbelievable feeling and to score the goal was incredible knowing my mum and dad were in the stands and they cut short a holiday in Portugal to be there.

"It is a day in my life that I will never forget."

A then 20-year-old Jemson joined Forest from Preston North End in 1988, signing for legendary manager Clough and playing alongside the likes of Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough.

However, if it was not for the local greengrocer, the move might never have happened.

"From a young lad living afar at Preston, to have the chance to work under one of the greatest managers that has ever been was incredible," Jemson said.

"It was down to the greengrocer I think. He went to watch a Mansfield-Preston game and recommended me to Brian and luckily I got a telephone call to say come and sign for him

"He [the greengrocer] came down the day just after I signed with a big crate of fruit and veg to give me and said 'I was the one who recommended you', so it is a true story - right time, right place.

"It means everything to me this anniversary. It was the greatest honour I had in football. It was not just about me, we had a fantastic squad there.

"We had great times - Wembley nearly every year - I was very lucky and very privileged to play for this football club."

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ola Aina could return to the squad but will undergo "one more day of assessment" before a decision is made on his fitness.

• On the mood after Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat: "The disappointment is the same as losing a game in the Premier League, but we must now react. It is just like in life, you grieve and then you react. If you fall down then you get back up and go again."

• An "emotional" Nuno thanked Forest fans for their support at Wembley adding that "the red sea was something special for all of us" and that the players "need them [the fans] now more than ever".

• He said that his side would "never stop believing" that they will qualify for the Champions League but it is now up to them "to perform".

• On opponents Brentford: "They are a very good team who have challenged well. They are good from set pieces and play nice football so we will have to be at our best."

• On the match: "All the games will be important in this fight and we have one game more. We are back at the City Ground in-front of our own fans and that is a big help."

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Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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FA Cup or Champions League? Well, Nottingham Forest do not have that choice any more. But now the decision has been made for them, concentrate on the league it is.

The permutations of qualifying for European competition are no longer endless but nothing, of course, is guaranteed. Three points should be enough for the Europa League. Nine points might be enough for the Champions League. The Conference League is a distinct possibility for the team finishing seventh, or even eighth.

But all that really matters right now is the five cup finals Forest have between now and the end of the season - three of them at home - starting on Thursday when Brentford visit the City Ground.

That game promises to be a cauldron of noise following Sunday's incredible scenes at the FA Cup semi-final. Despite the disappointment of losing 2-0 to Manchester City, the sea of 35,000 Reds at Wembley was something not to be forgotten - and if Forest ever needed a 12th man, it is now.

The depth of our resources has been highlighted by Sunday's injuries and suspensions, but there is hope that we have a fully fit squad for the run-in now. And glory does not need to be defined by winning a cup, it can equally be defined by welcoming Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Lazio and Roma to the banks of the Trent next season.

Whatever happens, there is nothing but pride for Nuno Espirito Santo's team - but, as he often says, nothing has been achieved yet.

The thousands of fans who were at Wembley on Sunday, and the thousands who could not make it, are right behind them - and this, surely, is just the start of things.

Concentrating on the league is the next step.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external