It’s often said survivors of a near-death experience gain a new perspective on things; an increased enjoyment of the little things, a decreased tolerance for bullshit and renewed zeal for life.
And it’s possible to observe a similar sensation in the hours before Derby County‘s opening game of the season and their first in English football’s third tier since 1985-86.
Since this is England, and individuality has been sacrificed at the alter of commercialism, fans of Derby and opponents Oxford United are milling together in a local Harvester under the traditional grey skies of July.
Sipping on lager that’s cheap in quality but not in price, two Oxford fans are busy schooling an elderly couple sporting white shirts with Derby’s magnificent Ram crest about everything League One.
It’s all very reasonable; the Oxford pair offer sound advice on the realities of third-tier football, about how the division is no respecter of big clubs with big reputations and warn not to expect miracles straight away.
After listening for a few minutes, the Derby gentleman downs the dregs of his pint and replies: “We’re just happy to still support a team.”
Nothing else comes close to nailing the prevailing mood; players, promotion and the usual angst can wait for another day. Derby County still exists and that fact alone is worthy of celebration.
Decline
While younger fans may associate Derby County with their record-breaking Premier League campaign in 2007-08 – one win, 11 points and relegation before the end of March – they’re one of the most storied names in English football history.
One of the 12 founder members of the Football League, the Rams won the first FA Cup final after the Second World War and lifted the First Division title twice in their 1970s heyday under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor.
Derby were still a regular top-flight presence until the start of the 2000s. The matchday programme, which is slimmer than a stick insect on the Atkins diet, recounts a 3-0 win over soon-to-be-double-winners Arsenal in 1997 and a glorious brace from Paolo Wanchope.
But recent years have been grim. Local businessman Mel Morris oversaw a level of spending unprecedented in Derby’s history, breaking the club’s transfer record four times between 2014 and 2017 as he looked to bludgeon his way into the Premier League.
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Morris also oversaw an…
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