Pike Horace Image 1 Nottingham Forest 1895

Keyworth, Nottinghamshire born outside left Horace Pike was from a large sporting family of (mainly) cricketers as well as footballers, and was the most successful of the footballers the family produced.He started with Keyworth F.C. in 1885 and played for Notts Swifts in 1888 before joining Nottingham Forest in February 1889. He was one of three Pike’s from Keyworth who all played for Nottingham Forest in one match against Sheffield Wednesday on 4th January 1890 (together with right back Arthur and centre half Harry).

When Nottingham Forest joined The Football League, Pike was a near ever present in their inaugural season, and scored their first ever League goal in their first Football League fixture in a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. He had 4 League seasons with Forest and scored 22 goals in 91 League appearances, During his complete tenure he scored 52 goals in 183 appearances in all competitions. In August 1897 he joined Loughborough and scored 10 goals in 71 appearances for them over the next 3 seasons before they lost their League status, after which he returned to play for Keyworth in 1900, later moving to the United States where he played for Philadelphia & Reading Athletic in 1901.

He was a cousin of Nottingham Forest players Arthur Pike, who played 3 times for the club between 1887 and 1890, and Harry Pike, who made 11 appearances for the club between 1886 and 1891.