Over the years, Nottingham has produced some incredibly successful athletes, from footballers to boxers to swimmers, Callum Jackson lists the 6 biggest stars from the area.
Nigel Pearson
Pearson was born and raised in Nottingham and began his football career as a player at non-league Heanor Town. Then he moved up the leagues, eventually retiring at Middlesbrough. Perhaps most famous for his managerial career, Pearson began at Carlisle United FC, but his most note-worthy position comes with his 2 stints at Leicester City. He initially enjoyed a 2-year period from 2008-2010, before returning in 2011, leading Leicester City FC to the Championship title and spending a season with them in the Premier League.
The Downie Sisters
Becky and Ellie Downie are Hucknall-born sisters who have carved out an incredible career in gymnastics, representing Team GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016, finishing in 5th place. Ellie was the winner of the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2015 and won gold in the European Championships in 2017, becoming the first all-round champion for Team GB.
Jermaine Jenas
Jermaine Jenas is a Nottingham-born footballer who had a long and admirable career in the game. Starting out rising through the ranks at Nottingham Forests’ youth academy before making 29 appearances for the Reds. He then moved on to make over 100 appearances each for Newcastle United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC, as well as earning 21 international caps for England and winning the Football League Cup in 2008 with Spurs. Jermaine is now a regular pundit on BBC and BT Sports.
Wes Morgan
Wes Morgan was born in Nottingham and played for Nottingham Forest for 10 years, making 352 appearances before moving across the East Midlands to Leicester City FC. Here he became captain and led his side to a historic achievement by unexpectedly winning the Premier League in 2015/16. Away from club football, Morgan chose to represent Jamaica due to ancestral links, and captained his country on multiple occasions. Wes is currently still a squad member at the King Power Stadium.
Carl Froch, MBE
Carl Froch is a former professional boxer who had a total of 35 fights during his career, winning 33 of them. Perhaps his most famous fights were the 2 bouts he had with George Groves, Froch won both to retain his IBF title, delivering a brutal knockout in the second fight at Wembley Stadium. It was later named Knockout of the Year by The Ring in 2014. Froch now works as a boxing analyst and commentator for Sky Sports.
Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca Adlington is from Mansfield and is a former competitive swimmer, who rose to fame at the 2008 Olympics. She broke the 19-year standing world record speed in the 800-metre freestyle swim, at the age of just 17. Whilst representing Great Britain, Adlington has had a plenty of podium finishes. Whilst competing in the Olympics, World and European Championships as well as the Commonwealth games, she earned 7 gold medals, 3 silver and a further 7 bronze. A staggering total of 17 medals, that earns her place at the top of this list.
