Sir Charlie Palmer Day: When Notts County got the better of Nottingham Forest

Today, 12 February 2019, marks 25 years since the last time Notts County met Nottingham Forest in the league, and more crucially, the last time the Magpies beat the Reds.

Christened Sir Charlie Palmer Day, the result in that Division One (that's second tier for all you young'uns) game at Meadow Lane was 2-1 to Notts, with the winner coming just four minutes of time through Charlie Palmer.

Magpies star Gary McSwegan opened the scoring in the 55th minute after tricking his way past Steve Chettle, cutting inside Colin Cooper and slotting into the bottom corner.

With just six minutes to go, Forest pulled a goal back through David Phillips, but just over a minute later, a twice-taken free kick from Mark Draper fell kindly to Palmer, who nodded home to claim the win (and a Notts knighthood).

Incredibly, it was his first goal for two seasons and his first league strike since 1990, making it extra sweet for him. He ran almost the length of pitch in celebration.

Speaking to The Pie in 2001, Palmer recalled the goal: "After the free kick was awarded I made my way into the box. I gave Drapes a quick glance, indicating where I wanted to put the ball.

"After the referee ordered us to retake the kick I just walked back, without looking at Drapes. Instinctively I just attacked the space and managed to get ahead of Pearce. I knew it was in as soon as it left my head.

"All I can remember thinking was how I had managed to out jump Pearcy. Before I knew it I was running down the touchline with my arms doing all sorts of things. To be honest it was probably a release of some frustration, as the things had turned a bit sour for me at Notts.

"Not being from Nottingham, I did not realise the enormity of the goal until I met up with some of the other players on the following Monday. A lot of the younger players (Drapes, Tommy etc) were full of stories about going out on the Saturday and having drinks bought for them all night. They could not understand why I had gone home straight after the game!"

Here is the goal in all its glory - happy Sir Charlie Palmer Day everyone!

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