A couple of days ago former Nottingham Forest full back Peter Hindley sadly passed away, yesterday, in the match between Forest and Coventry (two of his former clubs) a minute’s silence at St Andrews honoured his career, today we at Nottingham Sport remember and reflect on a player nicknamed the Tank.

With over 400 appearances in red, 366 in the league with ten goals, Worksop born Hindley made his Forest debut aged 19 in 1962 ending eleven years at the club in 1973 when he joined Coventry City.

Hindley, a right back, enjoyed some of the best years of Forest football in the swinging sixties that included the fabulous reds team of 66/67 when the club reached a then highest ever league position under Johnny Carey, finishing second to the great Manchester United of Best, Law & Charlton, whilst having their own talented stars too in Wignall, Baker and Storey Moore amongst others.

Ian Moore said himself “Peter Hindley was tough as old boots for us. No one messed with him.” His father Frank was a Forest player of years gone by and a centre forward either side of the second world war. Hindley had football in the blood, an England Under 23 cap too, he always gave 100% and never shirked a challenge. Mr reliable, a dependable player giving his all, often overlapping down the wing in front of the old East and Main Stands, who even did a job as an emergency forward, filling the boots of dad and all.

The Tank would join Peterborough United from Coventry, and later have a spell at non-league Burton, before starting up a painting and decorating business post retirement.

Diagnosed with dementia in recent years, like many who played football during the same era, Peter suffered his later life not remembering the good old days as Forest fans rallied round in support, to raise money for one of their own.

The dementia debate will still rage, like Notts born Jeff Astle who suffered similar consequences, Hindley played in an era and headed his fair share of footballs, much heavier than they are nowadays, balls soaking up water on wet days, the leather dry and hard on warm days, eventually the love for the game, causing pain on later life.

The Jeff Astle Foundation was set up in 2015 and has challenged ‘football’ to improved laws on concussion, dementia and brain injury, so much so the Premier League has recently voted to allow concussion substitutions… A good thing so that footballers can continue to do what they love, whilst not suffering from the side effects in later years.

That sadly didn’t happen for Hindley, 76 years young he probably died down to the game he loved, but loved by many, he’ll never be forgotten for always giving his all in red.

*Main image @NFFC Peter Hindley is remembered by two of his former clubs.