The 1865–66 season was Nottingham Forest's first season in existence. Nottingham Forest Football Club originally emerged from a group of "shinty" players who played a then popular game very similar to hockey. At a time when football began to emerge as a growing force, a special meeting took place in 1865 at the Clinton Arms, Shakespeare Street to discuss a proposition moved by J.S.Scrimshaw to switch games from "shinty" to football. This was passed, and the first official football match played was on 22 March 1866 against Notts County (who had been formed in 1862). Following a brief transitional period and the establishment of new committee the playing of shinty was dropped and the name "Nottingham Forest Football Club" was born.