In 1865, a group of Nottingham-based shinney – a sport similar to hockey – players met at the Clinton Arms on Shakespeare Street. It was here that JS Scrimshaw’s proposition to begin playing football instead was passed, and Nottingham Forest Football Club was born. The founder members were, A Barks, W Brown, W P Brown, C F Daft, T Gamble, R P Hawkesley, T G Howitt, W I Hussey, W R Lymberry, J Milford, J H Rastall, W H Revis, J G Richardson, J S Scrimshaw, J Tomlinson. The first official football match took place on 22 March 1866 against Notts County, who were formed in 1862.

https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/