What can a Forest fan say about Stuart Pearce that has not already been said many times before?

The truth is not much!

Two years after he left the club he is still revered, and has attained an almost God-like status among the City Ground faithful. He was a popular choice with fans, especially in partnership with Nigel Clough, to come back as the manager for a second time when Ron Atkinson retired. Most fans hope, and believe, that one day he will be back. Till that day we can only dream of glories to come.

Stuart Pearce was born in Shepherds Bush, London. He started his football career as an amateur with Wealdstone United, earning his living during the week as an Electrician.

It was while playing for Wealdstone that Bobby Gould spotted him. Gould signed him for Coventry City in October 1983. 

Pearce was to play 51 games for the Sky Blues before he joined Forest in a double deal involving Ian Butterworth in the Summer of 1985. Clough's target was Butterworth, but somehow fate stepped in and he got Pearce as well. Serendipity at its finest.

Pearce made his debut for Forest at Luton Town in the opening game of the 1985-86 season. He soon made himself a favourite with the crowd through his displays of wholehearted determination and hard tackling. It was this tackling and determination that was to earn him his now famous nickname 'Psycho'.

In 1987 he won the first of  76 England Caps, he also became Captain of Forest.

One of his best seasons for Forest came in 1988-89, when he led them to the Littlewoods Cup and the the Simod Cup.

He is always remembered for his failure in the 1990 World Cup, when, during the semi-final penalty shootout against  West Germany he was to miss. He finally laid the ghost of Italia 90 to rest during Euro 96 when he was to take part in two penalty shootouts, scoring in both. 

It was immediately after his success in Euro 96 that Pearce announced his retirement from international football.

Pearce took over as caretaker player manager at Forest in December 1996 with Frank Clarks departure. Things started very well indeed for the new manager, seeing him get Forest clear of the relegation zone and winning the manager of the month award for January 1997.

He then became the first manager to represent his country when Glen Hoddle persuaded him to come out of international retirement and play in England's World Cup qualifiers in 1996-97.

The club was taken over in February 1997 by the Bridgford Consortium. With the new owners came Dave Bassett, bought in to remove the more mundane administrative tasks from Pearce. It didn't work out well, and with various reports claiming the players didn't know who was in charge, things took a turn for the worst and Forest were relegated.

With relegation, and now 35 years old, Pearce decided it was time to leave the club. He wanted a final crack at a World Cup. With France 98 just around the corner he resigned from the managers job at Forest and took a free transfer to Newcastle United. His hope was to play his way into Glen Hoddle's plans for France 98, it didn't work out for him. 

In his 12 year career at Forest Stuart Pearce was to play 522 first team games, scoring 88 goals. many of these goals coming from penalties and his trade mark free kicks.

Finally, for those who read this far, Ian Butterworth was to only play 33 games for Forest and left the club in 1986. Strange how things turn out innit?