Top row, left to right: Noel Watson (secretary), Bill Whare, Joe McDonald, Bobby McKinlay, Roy Dwight, Chic Thomson, Jeff Whitefoot, Tommy Graham (trainer)
Bottom Row, left to right: Johnny Quigley, Billy Gray, Jack Burkitt, Billy Walker (manager), Tommy Wilson, Stewart Imlach



Making a return to the City Ground (from left to right)
Billy Gray, Chick Thomson, Johnny Quigley and Jeff Whitefoot

The Final
Forest's opponents in the 1959 final were Luton Town. After 9 minutes Roy Dwight converted a centre from Stewart Imlach to make it 1-0. Five minutes later Billy Gray crossed for Tommy Wilson to head home and make it 2-0. Forest dominated the game but, after 33 minutes Roy Dwight broke his leg in a tackle with Luton's Brendan McNally. There were no substitutes in English football at that time so Forest played the last hour with only ten men. David Pacey got one back for Luton in the 62nd minute but there were to be no more goals.

The Team
Bill Whare
Right back in Nottingham Forest's 1959 F.A. Cup final-winning side after being converted from left half. The Channel Islander spent some of the Second World War in a German Interment camp but after being recommended to Forest's then manager Billy Walker, his career took off and he went on to play more than 300 games for the club.
Jeff Whitefoot
One of the original 'Busby Babes' at Old Trafford - he made his debut for Manchester United as a 16 year old - the highlight of his career came at The City Ground. He was a cultured wing half in the Nottingham Forest side that captured the F.A. Cup in 1959 after joining the East Midlands club from Grimsby Town.
Bob McKinlay
One of the biggest names in Forest's history, he was always regarded as one of the true gentlemen of the game, he is Forest's all-time No. 1 in terms of appearances for the club - starting 682 games. Recommended to Forest by his uncle Billy McKinlay, he won a regular place at The City Ground in the 1954-55 season and never looked back as he enjoyed a long and distinguished career with Forest until 1969. Sadly passed away in August 2002, age 69.
Jack Burkitt
Born in Wednesbury he signed for the Club in 1947 and Forest was the only club he played for. He captained Forest to their never-to-be-forgotten1959 F.A. Cup final victory over Luton Town and was a driving force behind the club throughout the 1950s. A one-time centre half, he was converted into an old fashioned wing half role and his sheer commitment and never-say-die attitude were an inspiration to all his teammates.
Died Brighouse, Yorkshire, 12 September 2003.
 Johnny Quigley
The gifted 'inside forward' of the old school was a key figure in Nottingham Forest's 1959 F.A. Cup final win over Luton Town. Not only was he a creative of chances for others, the talented Scot scored more than his fair share of goals with 58 in his Forest career that spanned seven seasons.
Sadly passed away December 1, 2004, age 69.
 Billy Gray
An influential member of Nottingham Forest's F.A. Cup final success over Luton Town in 1959. Won England B honours as a right-winger but Gray, who previously had played for Chelsea and Burnley, was successfully converted into an inside-forward by Forest and his creative skills came to the fore. He was a regular penalty-taker in his days at The City Ground. At the age of 36, he joined Millwall as player-manager.
 Stewart Imlach
The Scottish international capped a successful spell with Nottingham Forest by figuring in their 1959 F.A. Cup final winning line-up against Luton Town. Played for Bury as an 18 year old and moved on to Derby before arriving at The City Ground and enjoying a career, spanning more than 200 games, as a goalscoring winger. He won four Scottish caps and appeared in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.
He sadly died in October 2001 age 69.
Charlie 'Chic 'Thomson
The Scottish goalkeeper joined Nottingham Forest from Chelsea in 1957 and went on to make 136 appearances for the club. He launched his career with Clyde as an 18 year old and recalled his debut as the best game he ever played. It was in the Scottish Cup Final against Rangers at Hampden Park and against all the odds Clyde held the Glasgow giants to a 2-2 draw. They lost the replay. He won a League Championship medal with Chelsea in 1954-55 before taking over Harry Nicholson at Forest at the end of the 1956-57 promotion year. Still lives in Nottingham and is a keen follower of Nottinghamshire cricket.
Joe McDonald
One of the most cultured defenders of his generation, the left back began his career with Scottish junior club Bellshill Athletic and had spells with Falkirk and Sunderland before joining Nottingham Forest in 1958. He took over the left back spot at The City Ground from Geoff Thomas and never looked back after making an impressive debut against Manchester United. A Scottish international, he was selected to play for Great Britain against the Rest of Europe.
Died in Australia, 7 September 2003.
Roy Dwight
Entered Forest folklore by scoring the opening goal of the 1959 FA Cup final before having the misforturne to break his leg, leaving Forest to battle on with ten men in the pre-substitute days. The Kent-born winger, uncle of pop legend Elton John, played all his early professional career with Fulham before joining Forest in the summer of 1958 for a 'substantial' fee. Although a winger, he was renowned for his shooting ability and scored 27 goals in 53 appearances for Forest before moving back to play in Kent with Gravesend and Northfleet.
 Tommy Wilson
Captured the limelight in the F.A. Cup final by scoring the crucial second goal in the final. A one-time winger, he was turned into an orthodox striker with great success. In 217 games for Forest he scored 89 goals. A native of the North East, he moved to Nottingham and played his earlier football with local colliery side Cinderhill. He played his last game for Forest in 1960 and moved on to continue his career with Walsall. Died in 1992.
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