In the summer of 1936, after taking a look at the achievments of Herbert Chapman at Huddersfield and Arsenal, plus a whole new crop of followers, it suddenly dawned on the Forest membership that what they really needed was a designated manager to take charge of team affairs, leaving the committee to organise the day-to-day running of the club.

So Harold Wightman became the first person to hold the title of Manager of Nottingham Forest.

Wightman was from the local area, born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts in 1894. He had been a player, turning out for Chesterfield and Derby, and was one of Bob Marsters' 'guests' during the Great War.

After finishing his playing career he had coached at Notts County and Chesterfield before becoming manager of Luton Town.

When Forest appraoched him to take charge of the City Ground team he was employed as manager of Mansfield Town, who tried hard, but unsuccessfully, to keep him, by offering him a £75 a year increase and a three year contact.

His three years in charge were not successful ones, leading the team to finish 18th, 20th and 20th.

Harry Wightman died, aged 51, in 1945.