The first East Midlands derby of the season takes place on Friday night, with Chris Hughton looking to maintain Nottingham Forest’s recent unbeaten record against their fierce rivals.
The Reds haven’t lost to Derby County since October 2017, a run of six games without defeat.
There have been many memorable clashes between the arch-enemies over the years, with one of Hughton’s predecessors, Stuart Pearce, at the centre of plenty of them - both as player and manager.
One of the former defender’s standout moments during his time in charge at the City Ground was that match in January 2015, when he presided over a 2-1 triumph at Pride Park.
Nigel Doughty Academy product Ben Osborn bagged a late winner that day, though Pearce’s time in charge came to an end shortly after.
That picture of him celebrating on the touchline, however, has gone down in folklore.
“They are not easy games. But my experience as a player, and as a manager as well, were decent results - and great games as well,” Pearce, who is now on the coaching staff at West Ham United, told NottinghamshireLive.
“My memories of playing for Forest and managing Forest revolve around the derby games. They were brilliant matches for all concerned.
“That’s what makes football so special, to have games like that in the diary.
“Especially being away from home, and one of our products who had come through the academy, Benny Osborn, scoring a winner late on in the game… that was very, very special for all of us.
“Academies are the lifeblood of all clubs across the league.
“That’s why it’s so important you nurture your young talent.
“It’s something I enjoy doing at West Ham, and the connections I have with the academy.
“It kept me in a job at Manchester City when I was a manager and the club had no money whatsoever. The likes of Mich Richards and various others coming through, it was a lifeline for the club.
“You understand that the terraces support one of their own that little bit more than a big money signing. And so they should.”
Never Stop Dreaming: My Euro 96 Story, by Stuart Pearce is published by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available for purchase.
