Dean Sturridge enjoyed the best spell of his playing career at Derby County and, now following the appointment of Nigel Cllough at Pride Park, he reckons good times lie ahead for his old club...
Q: Nigel Clough looks to be a good appointment for Derby doesn’t he?
A: He has added the likes of Martin Taylor to his backroom staff and I think it is important at a club like
Derby to get some links with people who have been there before and understand what Derby are about.
That is a big positive for Nigel as he lives in the area and knows what is needed. I think he has got his finger on the pulse and will be a big asset to the club.”
Q: His record proves that doesn’t it?
A: They were hanging around the relegation zone when he arrived and he did the right thing by assessing all of his squad before making any decisions. There was a fear they might have been relegated at one stage but the manager did a very good job and they ended up staying in the Championship comfortably.
Q: What will be success for the club in the future?
A: Success for the club will be to get itself back into the top six as play-off contenders. It is a great club with fantastic support. It is a one-club city so they can draw on a lot of support and there is a great tradition so fingers crossed they can get themselves back in the Premier League.
Q: Derby are certainly one of the bigger clubs in the Championship, aren’t they?
A: They have always been a big club that can attract players and I can remember when I was an apprentice and young professional at the club we had the likes of Peter Shilton, Mark Wright and Dean Saunders playing for us.
These were top quality international players and watching and learning from players like that helped me in my career.
Q: What do you think of the impressive Pride Park stadium?
A: There was a cracking atmosphere at the Baseball Ground and I think that people were worried the club might lose that when they moved to their new home. However, Pride Park is an excellent stadium and the support has stayed with them and there is a great atmosphere there as well.
Even when the club dropped back into the Championship the support has always been above 20,000 and that proves what potential Derby have. They gave me my opportunity in the Premier League and will always have a special place in my heart.
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