Derby County Football Club have successfully amassed a haul of trophies over the years, including league titles, an FA Cup and even entering a European competition. They have also had the privilege to have one of the best managers in English football manage and lead them to their first ever top-flight title in Brian Clough.

The Early Years

Derby football first came to light in 1884 when Derby County Cricket Club set up the football team in an effort to give the players and fans something to keep them occupied during the cold winter months. Playing friendly matches to start with, Derby County FC did not start well with their inaugural match against Great Lever in which they lost 6-0 on September 13, 1884.

The team continued to play friendly games against various sides in the area for the next season and it was not until 1885 that they would play their first professional match. It was an FA Cup match and yet again they would suffer a heavy defeat; 7-0 to Walsall Town. The next season would prove to be their turning point, playing an emerging force in English football, Aston Villa, in an FA Cup match and beating them 2-0. The year 1888 would be a fantastic time for Derby football and indeed English football as it was the start of the English football league. A total of 12 teams founded the league that became famous for being the best in the world.

The FA Cup

The FA Cup was the only source of excitement for the club at the turn into the 20th century. League positions were inconsistent throughout this time but the FA Cup seemed to bring out a different side to Derby County FC as they plied through the early stages of the competition, brushing aside anyone who was unlucky enough to play them.

In 1898, 1899 and 1903, fans of the Rams were overjoyed at making the final of the FA Cup, but all three ended in losses, the first being to arch rivals Nottingham Forest, 3-1. In 1946 the wait would be over and Derby County FC would claim their one and only FA Cup trophy, beating Charlton Athletic 4-1 in extra time.

The League Years

During the 20th century, Derby football had a yo-yo affair between the top tiers of English football. They spent a lot of time being relegated and promoted with their best spell ending in 1953 after almost 30 years in the top flight; however this was in part due to the onslaught of the Second World War.

The team were then relegated into the third tier of English football just two years later. Cue 1967 and the arrival of Brian Clough. In just two years, after some fantastic signings and management, Derby football would have a top-flight team again. By 1972, the legendary manager led the Rams to their first ever top division title and the following season saw them enter the European Cup.

Derby County FC went on to win another top-flight trophy in 1975 under new management, but afterwards went into steady decline resulting in two relegations and then slipped back to third tier English football. New money and a new chairman in Robert Maxwell saw the team stroll back into top-flight football. Derby County would get another shot at what is now called the Premier League but they failed to make a lasting impact. Their latest six-year reign came to an end in 2002; five years after they moved to their new ground at Pride Park. Derby County FC have enjoyed the management of the son of legendary manger Brian Clough, Nigel, since January 2009, and they are now hoping that his reign will emulate that of his father’s.