The Nottingham Forest legend who Steve Stone claimed was the ‘best player’ he ever played with in his career

Add as preferred source on Google

Steve Stone was at Nottingham Forest in a decade which delivered some world-class talent to the City Ground, but one always stood out.

Stone was a right midfielder by trade, which saw him play alongside the likes of Roy Keane and Stuart Pearce in the 1990s, as the Brian Clough era came to a conclusion.

Stone was still young in his football career when Keane received special treatment from Clough, highlighting the vast talent and importance of some of the players alongside the winger.

A part of Forest history himself, though, Stone was part of the Reds’ side that finished third after promotion to the Premier League under Frank Clark, showing loyalty to the City Ground after relegation in 1993 when the likes of Clough and Keane departed.

However, neither Keane nor his captain, Pearce, are remembered by Stone as the best player he ever played with, as one other Forest legend pips the pair as well as the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer.

Des Walker was the ‘best player’ that Steve Stone ever played with

The 53-year-old also earned nine caps for England in his career which saw him link up with the likes of Shearer at Euro 1996, but none of Terry Venables’ Three Lions were good enough to outshine Des Walker as the best Stone ever played with.

Naming his career five a side team for FATV, Stone was quick to select Walker in his defence, saying about the centre back: “Des Walker was probably one of the best defenders and the best players I ever played with. He was the man of the match probably every time he played for Forest.”

Pearce also named Walker as his favourite Forest player, which only emphasises just how well-thought-of the defender was at the Reds. Walker was picked up by the Forest Academy after initially coming through at Tottenham, making over 300 appearances in the famous Garribaldi.

Walker never made the Euro 1996 squad, so it was purely his impact at Forest that caught the eye of Stone and others, as Gary Lineker used to try and avoid being marked by Walker.

Stone did save space in his five-a-side team for one more Forest player, though, as Pearce made the cut to play alongside Walker.

Steve Stone was also a big fan of Stuart Pearce at Nottingham Forest

Continuing to wax lyrical about the best players he ever played with, Stone gave well-earned credit to the former Forest captain for his undeniable impact.

Stone said: “Stuart Pearce would be another one. I played with him at Forest for many years and watched him from the touchline. He was a fearsome leader, and you wouldn’t ever bet against Stuart Pearce.”

Pearce used to make Clough furious with his discipline, but his tremendous ability and leadership skills made him a Forest legend without question, playing alongside Stone until eventually leaving for Newcastle United in 1997 after 12 years of service to the club.

Both Pearce and Walker have kept up to speed with Forest’s activities in recent years. Unsurprisingly, Walker has been full of praise for Murillo as a fellow centre-back, whilst Pearce hailed the Nuno Espirito Santo appointment despite initially backing Steve Cooper after he was sacked.

Either way, all of Walker, Pearce and Stone will be forever remembered by Forest fans for their contributions in the 1990s, especially, with the three lining up in a five-a-side team in their prime a scary thought for any opponent.