Derby County Football Club has a proud boast in being one of the founder members of the Football League in 1884. In the BASEBALL GROUND, their home for over 100 years, they also had one of the most evocative grounds in the country where some of the greatest names in British Football played for the Rams week in, week out. Although not the football clubs' first ground (they used The Racecourse Ground from 1884-1895), the BBG is certainly the one most remembered.

The early years of the 1900's was dominated by STEVE BLOOMER, a prominent Derby striker, whose record of 332 goals for the Rams (to 1913) is unlikely ever to be beaten , at least not in the current football climate. During these pre-war years (both First & Second), Derby flitted between the old First & Second Divisions. Once their status in the top flight was assured by 1926, they were calling on names like HARRY STORER(1920-1928) and TIM WARD (during the mid-1930s). Both these two would manage the club in later years. Also playing were JACK BOWERS and "DALLY" DUNCAN, solid FA Cup performers. It was Duncan who was part of the fearsome front line comprising RAICH CARTER, JACK STAMPS and PETER DOHERTY that won Derby their only FA Cup trophy to date in 1946, when they beat Charlton Athletic 4-1 at Wembley.

It was a fleeting triumph- Doherty and Duncan had reached their swansongs for Derby and Carter only lasted another season. As is so often the case with football, a rise is followed by a fall and by 1955, the Rams had fallen to their lowest position yet in the football pyramid - the Third Division (North). After escaping from that division two years later, Derby spent the early part of the 1960s struggling in the Second Division, but it was only in the later half of the decade that saw the Rams making several important signings that was to lead to the most successful decade in their history.

First into the BBG in September 1966 was KEVIN HECTOR, a young Bradford Park Avenue striker for whom Derby County broke their transfer fee record. Nobody knew at the time that "King Kevin" would go on to make a serious assault on the all-time lists ( with most appearances and 2nd place in the all-time goals) over 15 years and he become a firm favourite with the fans. Also to prove popular, was ROY McFARLAND who arrived a year later. The Tranmere centre-half was to spend 28 years associated with Derby County, both as player and manager (manager from 1993 to 1995). Between the two was the most influential signings of all ; the charismatic managerial team of BRIAN CLOUGH & PETER TAYLOR. Clough's individual style and status brought results and more players were brought in, including defensive maestro JOHN O'HARE and winger ALAN HINTON. By the time DAVE MACKAY, the Tottenham and Scotland wing-half, signed in July 1968, all that remained to be done was winning the trophies.

SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONS 1968-1969 (including a 9-month unbeaten run to September 69)

WATNEY CUP 1970 / TEXACO CUP 1972

FIRST DIVISION CHAMPIONS 1971-1972 (decided on a dramatic final day)

As a result, the Baseball Ground saw some of the most passionate nights in its history as the greatest names in European football visited - Benfica and Juventus in the 1972-1973 season followed by Real Madrid in October 1975 after the Rams had won the first division title again the previous season. The second time was made all the sweeter in that Dave MacKay was now managing the side, Clough and Taylor having resigned in October 1973 after the chairman had tried to rein in Clough's outspoken manner.Things in the seventies were never as good again. Although the Rams enjoyed two good cup runs in 1976 and 1977 with new players like CHARLIE GEORGE and FRANCIS LEE in the side, Dave MacKay was sacked in November 1976 and during Tommy Docherty's two-year spell, an alarming number of players moved in and out of the Baseball Ground at a financial loss to the club : the uncertainty led to a loss of form and the slide began again. Managers came and went- the supporters lost faith and deserted the club.

In the dark days of the winter of 1983/1984, Derby County faced a winding-up order and frequent appearances in the High Court to guarantee their financial status and survival. Relegation to Division Three was looming and director Stuart Webb, battling to find a new backer for the club, eventually found one in Robert Maxwell, controversial media mogul and already the owner of Oxford United. Once the new financial security was in place, the Rams needed a new manager to spend the money and, during his nine years in charge, Arthur Cox, in hindsight, certainly did a lot of that.

Gradually, once more, the tide began to turn. A solid team built around old favorites like BOBBY DAVISON and JOHN GREGORY combined with the new strike force of GARY MICKLEWHITE , PHIL GEE and NIGEL CALLAGHAN gained promotion two seasons running and by August 1987, the Rams were back in the First Division. This prompted Maxwell to dig into his pockets once more, shoring up the defence with goalkeeping legend PETER SHILTON and international full back MARK WRIGHT, both signed from Southampton. In attack, the Rams broke the million pound mark for the first time in October 1988, signing DEAN SAUNDERS from Oxford United, Maxwell's other club. "Deano" was an instant hit and shook up the opposition defences through to Christmas of that year, Derby hit a purple patch of goals and it was no surprise when they finished in fifth position at the end of that season.

Just when the Rams were beginning to find their feet, their owner showed his dark side and withdrew the backing. 1990-1991 was a barren year ending in relegation where Maxwell's money dried up - no more was to be forthcoming. The five years in the Second Division ( later the First after the creation of the Premiership in 1993) led to a wholesale reorganisation of Derby County with a new owner, in Lionel Pickering, two play-offs ( including a painful loss to Leicester City in the 1994 final) , two new managers( McFarland followed by Jim Smith in 1995) and at the end, a heart-rending decision for most fans- a move from the Baseball Ground itself to a new thirty thousand capacity, all-seater stadium at Pride Park to the east of the city. Happily, 100+ years of history has not been forgotten and the old ground is still used for reserve matches- it got a great send off with promotion to the Premiership in 1996( after a great battle with eventual champions Sunderland) and a solid first season back in the top flight with fantastic matches against Leeds, Chelsea and Man Utd, a run to the last eight of the FA Cup and an emotional final day match with Arsenal in May 1997.

Pride Park is now a 35,000 sell out most Saturdays. The stadium has been recognised nationally with both under-21 and full England internationals and there is strong talk of the stadium being placed status on the European championship and World Cup shortlist.First and foremost, the club have a home for the 21st Century.
It is just a pity that the performances on the pitch have not matched the expectation off it. The signs were there for a long time and Season 2001 - 2002 just confirmed the fact that the Rams were facing relegation for a long time. Jim Smith was told his services as manager were now longer required in October 2001 and a three month experiment with Colin Todd never really got off the ground. In February 2002, a familiar face returned to Derby as manager - John Gregory, the midfield general of the team from the 1980s, was brought in from Aston Villa and it looked for a while as if the impossible was going to happen. However, three crucial defeats around Easter killed off any remaining hopes and relegation to Division One loomed.

The future is doubtful for Derby County - the club faces an uphill struggle to hold onto their promising young stars like MALCOLM CHRISTIE , CHRIS RIGGOTT and DANNY HIGGINBOTTOM. There are ugly rumours of debt flying around and the failure of the satellite TV channel ITV DIGITAL is causing havoc. Its refusal to pay many lower league clubs vital television money means the clubs are having a long hard look at players' contracts and wages and having to be VERY critical. We can only hope that the Rams have enough quality in depth , enough wise men in the boardroom and deep enough pockets to survive a long and tough season in Division One.

Whatever happens, history will continue to be made
- every Saturday at 3pm (Sky and local derbies permitting).

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© Kogan Communications Ltd. 2002