Derby County Thirty Memorable Games from the Nineties

The 1990s were an extraordinary decade in the history of Derby County Football Club. Relegation, promotion, great players and a new stadium all added up to an era to remember. Here are 30 matches that stood out amongst many. Starting in the top division under the financial control of Robert Maxwell, the team had an international backbone of Shilton, Wright and Saunders, but as the tycoon's business empire began to struggle, funds to the football club dried up. They were soon relegated, and after Lionel Pickering took control many millions of pounds were poured into the club for Arthur Cox and Roy McFarland to purchase new players, and soon the club reached the play-off final which ended in defeat. Jim Smith was appointed by Mr Pickering in 1996 and a new team was formed, and with new first-team coach Steve McClaren directing play they won promotion to the Premier League in their first season in charge. Off the field, the Baseball Ground was no longer suitable for top-flight football, and the decision had been made to move to a purpose-built stadium on the Pride Park area of Derby, opened by the Queen in July 1997.

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