It’s been one heck of a ride for Derby fans on and off the field over the last few seasons, with the drop into League One at the end of the 2021/22 season an almost inevitable and unavoidable outcome.
The Rams rallied and their bid to bounce back at the first attempt last term failed at the final hurdle as they lost 1-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday in the last game, which pushed them out of the play-off places.
Better news followed as the restrictive transfer embargo – which had been in place for just under two years – was lifted just two days after the season had closed down.
Meanwhile new owner David Clowes revealed that had his takeover bid been unsuccessful, the club would have faced an even more troubled immediate future, with insolvency at that time a very real prospect.
The new regime and the ability to wheel and deal sparked a busy summer, with plenty of ins and outs.
The return of the very experienced Martyn Waghorn was one of the more significant pieces of movement, but the fans had to be patient as their team lost three of the first four fixtures.
Things improved towards the end of August with back-to-back league wins over Fleetwood and Peterborough, but it was back down to earth with a bump as September opened with a defeat at Bolton.
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Last Saturday brought a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, with both goals coming in the final five minutes of the game.
Three wins, three defeats and a draw puts them firmly in mid-table, but they can score goals, with 12 on the tally so far.
It’s some 40 years since we last met in league action – Carlisle won both of the old Division 2 outings that season. It was 4-1 away in October 1983 (Mally Poskett bagged all four that day) and 2-1 at home in February 1984 (Andy Hill and Alan Shoulder).
