1994–95 Nottingham Forest F.C. season to succeed in life after Brian Clough as new manager Frank Clark guided them to an impressive third-place finish and UEFA Cup qualification, giving Forest their first European campaign of the post-Heysel era. Striker Stan Collymore was on target 22 times in the league and speculation that he would be on his way to another club proved correct at the end of the season when he sold to Liverpool for a national record fee of £8.4 million. The failure of Clark to buy a proven replacement cast significant doubt over whether Forest could mount a serious challenge for honours in
Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry which was Derby's second First Division title in four seasons. Brian Clough managed Derby County between June 1967 and October 1973, winning the Second Division title to gain promotion in 1968–69, and winning the First Division title in 1971–72. This was followed up by a controversial European Cup semi final loss to Juventus during the 1972–73 season. Clough joined Nottingham Forest in January 1975, following spells with Brighton and the famous 44 days in charge at Leeds Utd. Clough took over from Mackay's initial replacement Allan Brown, with Forest struggling in the Second Division. In 1977–78, Forest won the First