Notts County v Derby County/York City

opposition
Derby County
SUNDAY 1 AUGUST KICK-OFF 1PM
Although these days Derby County consider
our near neighbours Nottingham Forest as
their fiercest rivals, we were the first of the
Nottingham clubs to lock horns with the Rams as
founder members of the Football League in 1888.
Since then, the clubs have met in
friendlies as well as many times
in league and cup competitions,
the majority of them between
the formation of the league and
the mid-1920s.
However, perhaps one of the
more memorable games was
held in April 1969,
when Meadow
Lane hosted a
testimonial match
for our longserving
player Alex
Gibson between a
combined Notts/
Forest team of the
past and a Notts/
Derby team of the
present.
Famous Derby names
taking part included Dave
Mackay, Roy McFarland, Alan
Hinton and Kevin Hector, but
the shock inclusion in the Derby
side was legendary Yorkshire
and England cricketer Freddie
Trueman.
Perhaps that is not so surprising
as history reveals that the
football club was formed as an
offshoot of Derbyshire County
Cricket Club in 1884, but it is
highly unlikely any cricketers
will figure in manager Wayne
Rooney’s squad today!
And as the Rams finalise
preparations for their opening
Championship game of the
season against Huddersfield on
Saturday, this match is certain to
provide a stern test of our skill
and character, especially with
our season opener some way off
meaning the visitors will have
the edge on fitness.
Rooney’s arrival
as a player at
Pride Park caused
quite a stir, and
his promotion
to manager now
sees him tasked
with restoring
Derby to the
powerhouse
they were back
in the 1970s
“”
Above:
Colin Kazim-Richards celebrates with
teammates after scoring their first goal in
their recent friendly against Manchester
United
Page 9:
Tom Lawrence had been given the captain’s
armband for the forthcoming season
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