The turn of the century saw Derby maintain their position in the upper reaches of Division One while Bloomer was continuing to see off all who came up against him.

He scored his 200th goal in November 1901, a figure only one other Derby player - Kevin Hector - has passed.

Derby were back at Crystal Palace for another FA Cup final in 1903, but with Bloomer out injured and a goalkeeper also struggling, it wasn't to be.

Bury's 6-0 success still stands today as the highest winning margin in an FA Cup final.

And midway through the 1905/06 season came news that rocked Derby - Bloomer had been sold to Middlesbrough, and the following year his loss was felt as the club suffered relegation for the first time.

Jimmy Methven was appointed manager in August 1906 and played the last of his 511 games for the club that season, but couldn't prevent them losing their Division One status.

Derby gradually improved their Division Two position over the next three seasons and in 1909/10 they were a solitary point away from winning promotion, having been beaten by Oldham Athletic in game 36 of 38.

Derby finished fourth on 53 points, tied with Hull City and Oldham, and it was the Latics who would celebrate top-flight football that year.

In that very same season Alf Bentley became the first Derby player to reach the 30-goal mark - something even the great Steve Bloomer hadn't managed.