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Terry Wilson was one of the many youngsters that Brian Clough moulded
into that excellent Nottingham Forest team of the late 1980s and early
90s. Never one frightened to give youth its head, Clough thrust the 18
year-old into the limelight early in the 1987-88 season. After making
three substitute appearances the young Scotsman made his full debut in a
3-0 win at Coventry City and scored his first goal in the bargain. Such
was his impact that he remained an ever present for the remaining
thirty-three League games and also played in each round of the F.A. Cup
as the Reds reached the semi-final stage only to be defeated by
Liverpool. The return of former City Ground favourite Steve Hodge in the
summer of 1988 saw Terry lose his midfield berth alongside Neil Webb
early in the 88/89 season. With the two England internationals in
command of the central midfield positions Terry returned to the team in
an unaccustomed role alongside Des Walker at the heart of the Forest
defence.
The tall, slim Scotsman was nothing short of a revelation and
his classy performances at times even outshone Walker who was, arguably,
the leading centre-half in the country during that period. Wilson
finished the season as a double Wembley winner as the Reds triumphed in
the Littlewoods and Simod Cups with wins over Luton and Everton
respectively. That proved to be the pinnacle of Terry's career as he was
plagued by injuries over the next few years and missed out on a further
three visits to the twin towers. Just when it appeared his injury
nightmare was behind him, with some impressive displays in place of the
departed Walker at the start of the 1992-93 season, the jinx struck
again and his career was cruelly cut short whilst still in his early
twenties. (David Scranage)
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