Derby County
After all their financial trials and tribulations, it’s pretty certain that Derby County supporters, who have been incredibly loyal to the club after almost seeing it go out of existence, will be looking forward to watching their team again safe in the knowledge that their immediate future has been secured.
New owners and a new manager, in Liam Rosenior, along with a number of new signings suggests that they will be competing at the top end of the table. For visiting supporters, it’s a chance to visit probably one of the best appointed stadiums in League One.
One year younger than Rovers, Derby County came into existence in 1884 and were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888.
Home matches were, initially, played at the Derbyshire Cricket Club’s Racecourse Ground but there was a move to the Baseball Ground in 1895 and that remained their home until 1997 when they moved to their current home, Pride Park.
They lost three FA Cup Finals, in 1898, 1899 and 1903 before winning the first post war final, 4-1 against Charlton Athletic.
Most football supporters will be familiar with the most successful period of Derby’s history, which came under the stewardship of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. The duo led the club to the Second Division title in 1969, the First Division title in 1972 and reached the semi final of the European Cup a year later.
Their first taste of Premier League football came following their finishing position of Championship runners up in 1995/96 and their tenure in the top flight lasted six years. There was a return to top flight football following a Championship play off final success against West Bromwich Albion in 2006/07 though their stay lasted just one season.
Financial struggles which eventually saw the club placed in administration in 2021, thus leading to a points deduction, were followed by a further points loss for breaching EFL accounting rules. Faced with having to make up a 21 point deficit last season, the club did well to finish just seven points from safety, with 34 points.
In the 24 league meetings between the clubs Rovers have won eight, Derby ten and there have been six draws.
The three FA Cup ties have resulted in two wins for Derby and one for Rovers, a famous 3-1 win at Pride Park in January 2002.
The first league meetings between the clubs took place in 1953/54 when Rovers completed the double over Derby, winning 3-0 at Eastville in August 1953 and 1-0 at the Baseball Ground in January 1954.
We’ve not met in the league since 1992/93, when Derby won both fixtures, 2-1 at Twerton Park in November 1992 and 3-1 at the Baseball Ground in March 1993.
Players who have turned out for both clubs include Paul Coutts, Ronnie Dix, Steve Elliott, Nathan Ellington, Dave Martin, Aidan McCaffery, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Kelle Roos, Gary Twigg, Paul Trollope and Geraint Williams.
Former Rovers manager Dave Penney made 19 league appearances for Derby in his playing career.
As well as playing for both clubs, Trollope was Rovers manager/head coach, working alongside Director of Football Lennie Lawrence.
Four players have made their Rovers league debut against Derby, namely Ray Mabbutt (1957/58), Harvey Sinclair (1958/59), Phil Kite (1980/81) and Allan Cockram (1985/86).
Next season’s fixtures take place at Pride Park on 29th October with the return fixture at the Mem being played on 15th April 2023.
A round trip to Pride Park from the Memorial Stadium takes in 274 miles via the M5, M42 and M1.
Derby County FC
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park
Derby
DE24 8XL
Keith Brookman
(all images courtesy of Keith Brookman)