Name:
Lee Camp

Position:
Goalkeeper

Born:
22 August 1984, Derby

Signed from:
Queen's Park Rangers, 20 October 2008 (Loan) & 2 July 2009 (£100,000)

Debut:
21 October 2008 vs Ipswich Town (City Ground)
Coca-Cola Championship - drew 1-1

Ex-England Under-21 keeper signed on loan as Colin Calderwood's confidence in Paul Smith appeared to wane, Camp immediately improved Forest's command of their area; though Smudge remains a stupendous shot-stopper, his confidence (and thus that of his defence) had waned to such an alarming extent that any cross caused palpitations in the defence and the entire crowd.

Despite being a Derby boy, an ex-Rams player (and admitting that most of his family were season ticket holders at Pride Park), Campo ensured his place in Forest folk-lore in only his 4th game, with a superb penalty save against Derby in the 4th minute of injury time and an even better save from the resultant corner, thus winning a precious point at Forest's deadliest rivals.... a feat he repeated a fortnight later, saving another penalty in injury time to gain a point at Bristol City.

Having thus established himself as a firm favourite with the fans and, by all accounts, with Colin Calderwood, Camp then watched helpless as Calderwood was sacked only a couple of days before the transfer window opened - it seemd highly likely that he was to sign permanently during that window. When Billy Davies, under whom Campo had played at Derby, was appointed, the rumour mill went into overdrive about how they'd fallen out and Camp had sworn he'd never play for Davies again...

Such is the quality of internet rumour that there was a certain inevitabity about Camp signing for Forest in the Summer! He immediately slotted back into place, with his agility and (especially) his attitude giving Forest a solid look - though the lack of signings at the back in the Summer of 2009 suggested that this area might be a weakness, in fact the form of Camp, Chris Gunter, Wes Morgan & Kelvin Wilson has been superb, to the extent that they remain unbeaten away (and on a 16-game unbeaten run) at the turn of the year. Camp currently looks our best keeper for several years.