The Story of Forest’s Kits
Founded in 1865, Nottingham Forest are one of the oldest professional football clubs in the world. Their famous red shirts, introduced just two years after formation, were inspired by the Italian freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi’s “Redshirts” — a symbol of bravery and unity.
That decision set a trend: Arsenal, Liverpool, and others would later adopt red as their primary colour, but Forest wore it first. Today, their Garibaldi red remains one of the most powerful and enduring symbols in world football.
Kit Evolution and Brand Heritage
Forest’s early kits were plain red flannels with white trousers, evolving into modern football shirts as professionalism spread. Over the decades, manufacturers such as Umbro, Adidas, Puma, Macron, and Erreà have each shaped the club’s look while preserving the clean red identity.
The 1970s brought the club’s most recognisable aesthetic — simple red shirts with white trim — immortalised by Brian Clough’s European-winning sides. Later designs introduced subtle patterns, tonal striping, and heritage badges to blend nostalgia with modern performance.
Away kits have ranged from white to yellow, blue, and even black, but the Garibaldi red always remains untouchable at home.
Famous Nottingham Forest Shirts
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1978/79 Home Shirt – worn as Forest lifted their first European Cup in Munich, defeating Malmö FF.
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1979/80 Home Shirt – the back-to-back European Cup triumph, cementing Forest’s place in football history.
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1989/90 Home Shirt – a bold geometric classic from the early Premier League era, fondly remembered by fans.
2022/23 Home Shirt – the first Premier League campaign in over 20 years, featuring a clean Macron design without a front sponsor.
Little-Known Facts About Nottingham Forest Kits
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The first reds: Forest introduced red to English football — Arsenal and Liverpool both later adopted it after borrowing kits or inspiration from the club.
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Badge evolution: The modern tree-and-river crest was introduced in 1974, designed to represent Sherwood Forest and the River Trent — still one of football’s most elegant logos.
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Sponsorless purity: Forest have occasionally released sponsor-free shirts, emphasising the power of their pure red design.
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European tradition: The 1979 and 1980 European Cup wins made Forest the first club to win more European Cups than domestic leagues at the time.
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Kit influence: The “Forest Red” tone has remained remarkably consistent for over a century — darker and richer than the scarlet used by most English clubs.
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Community identity: The Garibaldi Red Supporters’ Group, named after the colour, inspired several modern retro reissues.
Manufacturer heritage: Adidas’s partnership in the late 1970s helped define Forest’s European image — simple, iconic, and globally recognisable.
Our Range and Personalisation Options
At UK Soccer Shop, you’ll find the full Nottingham Forest collection — official home, away, and third shirts, retro reissues, and training wear. Each jersey is 100% authentic, featuring the club crest, manufacturer logo, and sponsor detailing.
Personalisation is available across most designs, letting you add your name or that of Forest heroes such as John Robertson, Stuart Pearce, or modern stars like Morgan Gibbs-White.
Explore related collections to complete your English football lineup:
Why Nottingham Forest Shirts Stand Out
Few shirts carry the weight of history like the Garibaldi red. It’s more than a colour — it’s a symbol of identity, courage, and legacy. Every Nottingham Forest shirt connects generations of supporters to a story of triumph, tradition, and unshakable pride. Whether you’re adding a modern Macron release or a European Cup classic, Forest’s red remains football royalty.