Ok we all know what it means in these parts… More than just a match is Forest v Derby, more than just pride or points or positional status, not just about bragging rights over the noisy neighbours but about a piece of silverware that also says, ‘who’s best’.

That trophy, a stunning designed piece no more than half a metre in height, glistening in silver, wooden based bottom, old big ed at the top, is currently sitting in the City Ground trophy room and that’s where it needs to stay.

Forest have held it since February 25^th 2019, when a 1-0 win thanks to Yohan Benalouane’s early goal was enough to rescue it back off the Rams. 605 days and counting… A win or draw will ensure the Reds keep it some more.

So what of it’s history? How did it start? A 100 year old loving cup inscribed with detailed art.

Since 2007 whenever the two teams meet, in homage to the greatest football manager in living memory (jointly held with Jimmy Sirrel of course), the winner of the match get’s to take the prize home, it really is that simple.

It all started with a pre-season friendly, Forest back then a third-tier team losing the first ever encounter 2-0 against Premier League opposition at Pride Park. McEveley and Fagan with early goals. Over 25,000 for a friendly too… Proceeds going to local charities, Derby the first holders, they would retain it for two years.

The next two games were draws, in 2008 Forest were promoted back to the second tier whilst Derby were relegated having finished bottom of the top flight with a record low tally. They would meet in the league in a funny old game. Villa scored an own goal to put Forest ahead before scoring at the right end to level things up, this before Lewis McGugan got sent off.

The teams would be drawn together in the FA Cup, the magic of the competition pulled the rabbit out of the hat. First for Forest a trip to Pride Park, another 1-1 draw, the trophy retained and staying put, inside Derby’s cabinet for a few days more at least.

A replay gave Forest chance to win the cup outright in front of their home fans at the City Ground whilst put paying to the Rams chances in the FA Cup that year. It all looked to be going so well too… Cohen and Tyson had the reds two up within 13 minutes. Derby however turned things around to win a classic cup tie 3-2… Commons, an ex-red and Forest fan with the winning goal… Derby’s reign on the Brian Clough Trophy continued…

A 3-1 win in the league for the Rams ensured that Derby would again come away from the City Ground with silverware, it seemed it was theirs for the keep, Reds fans thinking it could be a curse?

Then came Billy Davies, an ex-ram with the audacity to take on the job at Forest, from there the reds fortunes would finally turn. A 3-0 lead at the City Ground in August 2009 was clawed back by two second half Derby goals but it didn’t stop Nathan Tyson picking up the corner flag and running it past the Rams fans. Forest had won it at last… But they would only hold it for one match.

A Rob Hulse goal in January 2010 ensured Derby would regain what they thought was pretty much their own piece of silverware having held and dusted it so long. Derby recorded 760 days as owners… Forest just 154.

Almost a year later the two sides would meet again. This time an unforgettable moment for two ex-rams Earnshaw and Tudgay, both with doubles as Forest crushed Derby at Christmas 5-2. It got even better, a month later as Forest did the double thanks to Earnie again. Moxey with a red card, Rams losing their heads.

In September 2011 the Reds got off to a dream start as Derby goalkeeper Frank Fielding was sent off early doors, penalty converted, Forest 1-0 up and dreaming of three points… But Derby dug in to snatch an unlikely win… All of a sudden the East Midlands bragging rights (and silverware) was again the Rams to take home.

The return league match in February 2012 was abandoned by snow so a month later the sides contested in what ended with a last minute goal, scored by Buxton, made in Derby. Tudgay receiving his marching orders as frustration for Forest boiled over.

The season after it wasn’t much better, Dexter Blackstock (another ex-Ram) seeing red for the reds. Derby winning (again) at the City Ground this time thanks to a single Craig Bryson goal.

The return match at Pride Park ended in a draw and by the time the two sides had met again Derby had increased their record hold on the cup to 742 days. The Reds needed Jack Hobbs, and a timely Richard Keogh red card to help wrestle the trophy back.

A 1-0 win for Forest gave the East side of the A52 something to celebrate for just 175 days. The return match at Pride Park was humiliating and one to forget. 5-0 a joint record winning margin for derby day. The Rams matching the score between the two sides back in 1898, all be it then a few days before the FA Cup Final which Forest more impressively won. No excuses this time though, 115 years later Derby much the better team, a Craig Bryson hat-trick having over 30,000 home fans in ecstasy.

The following season Britt thought he’d won it. Assombalonga scoring late but Shotton levelling shortly after… Jake Buxton seeing red, the game at the City Ground ending all square. Forest however did get their way. Stuart Pearce punching the air suited and booted mid-January thanks to Derby born Ben Osborn’s late winner. at Pride Park

A new Manager came in but same result for red. Nelson Oliveira scoring the winning goal for Dougie Freedman’s men late on a Friday night… Forest had a stronghold on the trophy… But that’s where it would seemingly end.

Marcus Olsen netted the only goal of the game on Saturday 16^th March 2016 to start a run of 1,073 days of Rams dominance. A 3-0 win the season after at Pride Park was followed with a spirited 2-2 draw thanks to a late Dani Pinillos leveller at the City Ground. Derby retaining the trophy but then winning it outright, the season after it was 2-0 at home. Back to back scoreless draws in 2018 ensured the Rams would retain their silverware but that all changed when Martin O’Neill parked the Silverdale Bus.

Benalouane scoring early at a packed and frosty City Ground, since then, a comprehensive 3-0 win last season in the EFL Cup followed by a 1-0 victory thanks to Lewis Grabban’s goal provided a hat-trick of wins and so close to making it four on the spin but for Chris Martin’s 97^th minute leveller in June.

Forest the holders having retained it for twenty months, with nine wins and eleven defeats Derby still have the edge, but here’s hoping the Reds will close that gap more tonight.

A trophy that as you can tell is relatively short in history, but a match first played in 1892 when Forest beat the Rams 3-2 in the top flight of English football… Steeped in history….

From Capes and Bloomer, Clough and Taylor, to Johnny Robbo, Peter Shilton, Archie Gemmill & John McGovern, to Billy Davies, to Nigel Clough, to Kris Commons… Ok that’s enough.

In all Forest have 42 wins over their rivals and 38 defeats with 27 draws – whoever wins tonight will at least have silverware to celebrate, should it be a draw the Reds will at least reign some more.

*Main image @NFFC the Brian Clough Trophy on offer for tonight’s winners.