“...when you're designing a badge, you want something which is individual, you want something that is distinctive, but also something that’s relevant.”
These were the words of David Lewis, speaking to ForestTV in 2023. So who is David Lewis, and why is he appearing on Nottingham Forest’s social media channel? It all dated back 50 years. David had been invited to the club to talk about his design on its anniversary. That design? The Nottingham Forest club badge.
From Competition to Crest
The first club crest used by Forest was the city arms of Nottingham, which first appeared on kits in 1947. But the badge we know today came about in 1974, following a design competition held in 1973. The winning entry was submitted by David Lewis, a graphic design lecturer at Trent Polytechnic.
Why a Tree and a River?
The club’s nickname—Forest—naturally leads to the most distinctive part of the badge: a stylised tree. This tree represents Sherwood Forest, the famous woodland tied deeply to Nottingham's identity.
Beneath the tree is a wave symbol, representing the River Trent, which runs close to the City Ground. Together, they create a simple but powerful symbol of place and history.
Two Stars That Tell a Story
Above the crest sit two stars. These represent the club’s legendary back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980—an achievement few clubs can rival.
David Lewis himself has said the Forest badge carries those stars better than most—and that they suit it rather well, sitting proudly above a design already rich with meaning.
Want to know how the club got its name in the first place? Check out our post: How Nottingham Forest Got Their Name