Billy Davies first became Nottingham Forest manager in the 2008-09 season.
Nottingham Forest first appointed Billy Davies as their manager midway through the 2008-09 season, and he was immediately tasked with keeping the club in the Championship.
Forest were struggling at the time, but Davies arrived at the City Ground with an excellent Championship record – having twice taken Preston North End to the playoffs, and later rivals Derby County to the Premier League.
The fiery Scot certainly made an impression at Nottingham Forest, and in his first two seasons at the club he achieved successive playoff finishes – but ultimately fell short on each occasion.
Davies’ second spell at the club wasn’t anywhere near as successful, but looking back over the past decade, he has been the Reds’ most successful manager in terms of league finishes and win percentage.
Here we take a look back on his first summer in charge of the club, and the first names he brought to the City Ground:
David McGoldrick: Signed from Southampton
The striker was Billy Davies’ first signing for Nottingham Forest, and he arrived to much anticipation from the fans.
Unfortunately for the now 30-year-old, McGoldrick struggled for form and netted just eight goals in three-and-a-half years at the club, prompting Forest to sell him on to fellow Championship side Ipswich Town.
McGoldrick still plies his trade for the Tractor Boys, where this season he has four goals to his name.
Paul Anderson: Signed from Liverpool
Paul Anderson was announced as a Nottingham Forest player shortly after McGoldrick, and he was another young player with plenty of potential – arriving from Premier League side Liverpool.
The 29-year-old was a regular for Forest during those two seasons challenging for promotion, but by the third season he found himself out of favour and soon left to join Bristol City.
A gradual slide down the leagues now sees Anderson playing at League Two side Mansfield Town.
Dele Adebola: Signed from Bristol City
Adebola was a big, strong centre-forward who joined Nottingham Forest on a free transfer after leaving Bristol City.
The Nigeria-born striker was often used off the bench, reflected by his mere six goals in two years at the club. Still, he was popular among supporters and often wreaked havoc for opponents.
Now 42, Adebola has long hanged up his boots with his last club being non-league side Rushall Olympic back in 2013.
Lee Camp: Signed from Queens Park Rangers
Arguably the most controversial of Davies’ signings at Nottingham Forest, former Derby County academy product Lee Camp arrived at the City Ground having had a brief spell at Queens Park Rangers.
Camp became the club’s number one, with his crowning moment saving a penalty at Pride Park in a 1-1 draw with the Rams.
Now 33, Camp has played Premier League football with Norwich City since leaving Forest, and now finds himself embroiled in a Championship relegation battle between the sticks on loan at lowly Sunderland.
Chris Gunter: Signed from Tottenham Hotspur
Gunter, 28, joined Nottingham Forest on a four-year deal, and was arguably one of Davies’ best signings at the club.
The Wales international made over 130 Championship appearances in his three seasons at Forest, before being sold on for a profit to then Premier League side Reading. Gunter remains at the Madejski Stadium, and he was named Welsh footballer of the year for 2017.
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