Derby County

The Rams of the East Midlands

Derby County Football Club is a professional association football club in Derby, England. The club competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. One of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, Derby County is one of only nine clubs to have competed in every season of the English football league system (126 seasons up to the end of the 2024–25 season), with all but six of those being in the top two divisions. The club was founded in 1884 by William Morley as an offshoot of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Its competitive peak came in the 1970s when it twice won the First Division and competed in major European competitions on four occasions, reaching the European Cup semi-finals as well as winning several minor trophies. Additionally, the club was a strong force in the interwar years – finishing league runner-up twice in the 1930s – and winning the first post-war FA Cup in 1946. The club's home colours have been black and white since the 1890s. The team's nickname, The Rams, honours its links with the First Regiment of Derby Militia, its mascot being a ram, and its regimental song, a tribute to the county's traditions. They have a long-standing rivalry with Nottingham Forest, with whom they contest the East Midlands derby.

Quick Facts

Location: East Midlands
Stadiums: Pride Park Stadium; City Ground
First meeting: Derby County 2–3 Nottingham Forest; 1892–93 First Division (1 October 1892)
Teams: Derby County, Nottingham Forest
Longest win streak: Nottingham Forest (5)
Most wins: Nottingham Forest (43)
Longest unbeaten streak: Nottingham Forest (10)
Top scorer: Steve Bloomer

Lore & Background

Derby County F.C. was formed in 1884 as an offshoot of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Playing their home matches at the cricket club's Racecourse Ground, 1884–85 saw the club undertake an extensive programme of friendly matches, the first of which was a 6–0 defeat to Great Lever on 13 September 1884. The club's first competitive match came in the 1884–85 FA Cup, where they lost 7–0 at home to Walsall Town. Arguably the most important match in the club's history came in the following season's FA Cup, when a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa established Derby County on the English football map. In 1891, they absorbed another Derby club, Derby Midland. Steve Bloomer joined the club in 1892. In 1895, the club moved to the Baseball Ground. Derby finished as runners-up to Aston Villa in 1896, and appeared in three FA Cup finals in six years around the turn of the 20th century, though lost all three, in 1898 (3–1 to Notts Forest), 1899 (4–1 to Sheffield United) and 1903 (6–0 to Bury). In 1906, Steve Bloomer was sold to Middlesbrough, and Derby suffered its first ever relegation the following season, but under Jimmy Methven's management, they re-signed Bloomer and regained their First Division place in 1911. In 1914, they were again relegated, but instantly won the Second Division to earn promotion. After two seasons, they were relegated yet again in 1921. The appointment of George Jobey in 1925 kick-started a successful period, with high finishes from the late 1920s and all through the 1930s, including finishing as runners-up twice. Derby were one of several clubs to close down after the outbreak of World War II but restarted in the early 1940s. Aided by the recruitment of Raich Carter and Peter Doherty, Derby won their first major trophy with a 4–1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the 1946 FA Cup. Under Stuart McMillan, the club finished fourth and third in the 1948 and 1949 seasons respectively, before a steady decline set in and the club was relegated in 1953, and again in 1955 to drop to the third tier for the first time. Harry Storer led Derby back into the second tier at the second attempt in 1957. In 1967, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor took over and led Derby to its greatest glory, winning the First Division in 1972 and reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1973. Despite their departure, Derby won the title again in 1974–75 under Dave Mackay.

Reader's Guide

Derby County's home colours are black and white. The team's nickname is The Rams. The club plays at the Baseball Ground (historically) and later at Pride Park (not detailed in source). Key figures include Steve Bloomer, Brian Clough, Peter Taylor, Dave Mackay, and others mentioned in the lore.

Origins and Historical Context

The rivalry between Derby County and Nottingham Forest traces its roots back over a century, originating in the early days of organized English football. Their first competitive encounter occurred on October 1, 1892, at the Racecourse Ground during the inaugural season following the merger of the Football League and the rival Football Alliance. At that time, Derby were established founder members, while Forest had recently secured the Alliance title before being invited into the expanded First Division. Nottingham Forest initially dominated these early meetings, winning both fixtures in the 1892–93 campaign with scores of 3–2 and 1–0 respectively. It was not until September 1894 that Derby finally broke this streak, securing a decisive 4–2 victory. While geographical proximity naturally fostered competition, the fixture evolved into one of England's most significant rivalries due to shared history and intense local pride. The clubs spent thirteen consecutive seasons competing side-by-side in the EFL Championship before their paths diverged significantly at the end of the 2021–22 season, with Forest ascending to the Premier League while Derby suffered relegation to League One.

The Brian Clough Factor and Trophy

Although the clubs have competed for over a hundred years, the intensity of the rivalry reached new heights in the late 1970s following the appointment of Brian Clough as Nottingham Forest manager. This move caused significant dismay among Derby supporters, leading to a sentiment that the fixture was as much about which club truly owned Clough's heart as it was about geography. To honor his legacy after managing both teams successfully, the 'Brian Clough Trophy' was inaugurated in 2007, awarded annually to the winner of their encounter. The inaugural match took place at Derby's Pride Park Stadium on July 31, 2007, where the hosts triumphed 2–0. Since then, fans have affectionately dubbed the fixture 'El Cloughico,' drawing a parallel to the famous Spanish rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Nottingham Forest currently hold the trophy after retaining it with a 2–1 victory at their City Ground home in January 2022, cementing this modern tradition as a central pillar of the contest's identity.

Controversy, Violence, and Discipline

The East Midlands Derby is notoriously volatile, frequently marred by hooliganism, on-pitch altercations, and disciplinary issues. A particularly infamous incident occurred in November 2008 when referee Stuart Attwell disallowed two late goals for Derby, issued eight bookings, and sent off Forest's Lewis McGugan. The controversy was so severe that Attwell was removed from the fixture list shortly after, with manager Paul Jewell accusing him of losing control and 'robbing' his team. Tensions escalated further in 2009 following managerial appointments and player transfers between the clubs, leading to fractious FA Cup ties and post-match scuffles. One notable altercation involved Nathan Tyson celebrating with a Forest corner flag, resulting in fines for both clubs and a charge of improper conduct against Tyson. Subsequent meetings saw repeated red cards and physical clashes, including a brawl involving Chris Gunter and Jay McEveley in 2010. The fixture has seen players sent off in four consecutive matches starting in January 2011, highlighting the persistent animosity that often overshadows the sport itself.

Modern Competitive Dynamics

In recent decades, the competitive balance of the East Midlands Derby has fluctuated dramatically, producing memorable results and shifting momentum. The 2011–12 season marked a significant turnaround for Derby, who achieved their first league double over Forest since 1972 en route to winning the Championship title. This included a dramatic comeback at the City Ground where they recovered from being a man down to win 2–1. The rivalry saw record-breaking performances as well; in March 2014, Derby secured a stunning 5–0 victory at Pride Park, equalling the largest margin of defeat in the fixture's history. While both teams have traded home wins and draws over the years, such as the 2–2 draw in March 2017, the fixture remains fiercely contested. The divergence in league status following the 2021–22 season added a new layer to the narrative, with Forest moving up to the Premier League while Derby dropped to League One, potentially altering the frequency and nature of their future encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this fixture commonly called by fans?

Fans widely refer to this fixture as 'The East Midlands Derby' due to the shared regional identity of both clubs. It remains the oldest and most significant rivalry in the history of Nottinghamshire football.

When did the first matches between these teams occur?

Official records show their initial competitive meetings took place during the late 19th century. Since then, the fixture has maintained its importance from the pre-World War I era to the present day.

Which stadiums host these derby games today?

Nottingham Forest plays at the City Ground while Derby County utilizes Pride Park Stadium for their home fixtures. Historically, the Baseball Ground was also a key venue before Derby moved to their current location.