Derby County are a historic football club within the realms of English football, but unfortunately their most recent stay in the Premier League didn’t really do them justice. In fact, they ended up with the lowest points total in the history of the division – which is something that their fans won’t appreciate us reminding them of.
Still, in August 2007 the Rams were full of hope and optimism as they headed in their opening day clash with Portsmouth (who had questions to answer of their own with Harry Redknapp at the helm). In a hard fought affair Matt Oakley and Andy Todd secured a point for County in a 2-2 draw, but little did they know that it was all downhill from there.
In what is quite simply a baffling statistic, SIX of the members in this squad were loaned out during the season. Six. Almost half of the 16 individuals we’re about to name and shame flew the nest, leaving the sinking ship that was Derby County Football Club.
Brace yourselves, this is a tad brutal.
Stephen Bywater
Stephen Bywater wasn’t born into the role of a journeyman goalkeeper, but by god did he get there in the end after turning out for 15 clubs including Kerala Blasters. Image Source: Twitter
Tyrone Mears
How on earth do you go from footballing prodigy at Manchester City, to Derby, to Marseille, then over to the States to live it up in Seattle and Atlanta? Baffling. Mears is a genius.
Image Source: Who Ate All The Pies
Darren Moore
The English born Jamaican started his 20-year career at Torquay, followed up by stints at a range of lower league English teams. Yes you are starting to see a pattern emerge and it’s no coincidence. Image Source: Twitter
Claude Davis
Fellow Jamaican Davis also bounced around Leagues 1 and 2 like he was on a trampoline, and you’d need a PHD to figure out who he was most successful with. Still, 12 years with the national team is nothing to shake your head at. Image Source: Twitter
Andy Griffin
Griffin had a solid enough career with the likes of Stoke and Reading, but he was always just kind of ‘there’ as opposed to being able to make a real impact.
Image Source: Getty Images
Craig Fagan
This guy seemed destined for great things, although that didn’t quite manifest at Pride Park. Fagan ended up thriving at Hull, but somehow concluded his playing days with a long term injury in Brunei. No, football isn’t fair sometimes. Image Source: Twitter
Matt Oakley
He may not have been appreciated in Derby, but four years in Leicester and five with Exeter leads us to believe that Oakley was much more than just a utility player. Image Source: Twitter
Andy Todd
The son of legendary Derby defender Colin Todd, Andy was bound to have a spell with the club – but it didn’t quite go to plan. Instead found more success in Australia of all places. Image Source: Getty Images
Stephen Pearson
The man who scored the solo goal at Wembley in the play-off final to take the Rams into the Premier League. So really, this is all his fault. Image Source: Twitter
Steve Howard
We’re big fans of Howard’s attacking prowess, and if given more of a chance then the forward probably could’ve done more of a job. That goes for his entire career, too. Image Source: Twitter
Robert Earnshaw
You can’t have a celebration like that and be considered anything else other than a footballing legend – even if he did play for Derby’s rivals Forest.
Image Source: Twitter
Lewis Price
You can’t say this man isn’t dedicated. Four years with Ipswich, three with Derby, five with Palace and now Price is attempting to guide Rotherham back into the second tier. Image Source: Twitter
Jay McEveley
Don’t blink or Jay may be at your feet snapping your ankle in two. Image Source: Derby County-Mad
Gary Teale
Another part of the apparent Scottish revolution, Teale’s Derby days were preceded by six years with Wigan Athletic.
Image Source: Getty Images
David Jones
Probably the most consistent player in this list in the present day, David Jones had successful tenures for several clubs before landing at Sheffield Wednesday. Go and watch his free-kick against Stoke a few years back on the opening day, it’s tremendous. Image Source: Twitter
Jon Macken
Was Jon Macken the future of English football at one stage? Kind of, with his memorable stint at Preston being followed up by a less than inspiring run with Manchester City. Still, he scored against United in the derby so that’s something. Image Source: Getty Images
Whether you think that’s the most depressing line-up of all time or not, you’ve got to admit that Derby showed some steel by sticking it out throughout the campaign and not dropping even further down to the third tier. That sounds like a ridiculous form of praise, but seriously, 11 points should be enough to drive anyone to an early retirement.
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