Derby County Club Profile

Derby County was formed as an off-shoot of Derbyshire County Cricket Club in 1884, initially playing at the Racecourse Ground and then the Basebal Ground a year later.

The Rams' first hero was Steve Bloomer - considered by many to be the greatest-ever Derby County player. He has a fans' song written in his honour - Steve  Bloomer's watching.

Derby appeared in their first FA Cup Final in 1898, but lost to Crystal Palace. A period of relegations and promotions followed before Derby reached their next FA Cup Final in 1946. They won the trophy for the one and only time by beating Charlton 4-1.

The club's halcyon days followed the appointment of charismatic and brash young boss Brian Clough who took over in 1967. Promotion to the First Division followed two years later and in 1972 Derby County won the League Championship for the first time.

Although Clough left in acrimonious circumstances in 1975, Dave Mackay led the Rams to a second title triumph in 1975. It was downhill for a number of years after that, although Arthur Cox and Jim Smith managed to restore the Derby pride. The less said about last season under Billy Davies and then Paul Jewell the better.

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