CLUB FOCUS: WEST HAM UNITED
The new season will bring about a new dawn in Derby County's history as they return to the Barclays Premier League after a five-year absence.
There will be new grounds to visit, a few returns to some popular venues, and the chance to be reunited with a few old friends and foes.
And before Saturday August 11 comes around www.dcfc.co.uk is taking a look at every club Derby will face next season - now it's a trip down to East London to catch up with West Ham United.
Some might argue that West Ham shouldn't even be in the Premier League this season.
The whole Carlos Tevez affair has cast an almighty cloud over the club for the last few months.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, there's no doubting that the mercurial Argentinian played a huge role in keeping the Hammers up against the odds.
Now he may or may not be heading to Manchester United, or he may or may not be staying at West Ham.
Either way, the saga looks like it will drag on for some time due to a whole manner of contractual wranglings.
They'll be in the top-flight next season regardless of the outcome of Sheffield United's date at the High Court as the Blades look to earn some form of compensation following their relegation and the Hammers' survival.
But that survival was in itself a remarkable achievement.
In early March the Hammers looked doomed to the drop, ten points adrift of safety and on a run of six straight defeats.
But somehow they pulled it around and maintained their status as a top-flight club.
This summer they have splashed the cash, £7.5m on Craig Bellamy from Liverpool, £7m on Newcastle's Scott Parker and a further £6m on French winger Julien Faubert.
They've also lost skipper Nigel Reo-Coker to Aston Villa for another high sum.
But whatever happens at Upton Park, that name of Carlos Tevez keeps cropping up.
THIS SEASON
Saturday November 10 at Pride Park
Saturday April 19 at Upton Park
HEAD TO HEAD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
|
Derby wins |
Draws |
West Ham wins |
|
2 |
5 |
5 |
THE LAST GAMES
December 26 2001
West Ham United 4 (Schemmel 5; Di Canio 73; Sinclair 86; Defoe 90)
Derby County 0
West Ham: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Cole, Carrick, Hutchison, Sinclair, Di Canio (Moncur 89), Kanoute (Defoe 74).
Subs: Hislop, Foxe, Kitson.
Derby: Poom, Zavagno, Riggott (Bolder 61), Higginbotham, Grenet, Mawene, Powell, Boertien, Ducrocq (Kinkladze 48), Carbone (sent off 53), Ravanelli.
Subs: Oakes, Christie, Burton.
September 8 2001
Derby County 0
West Ham United 0
Derby: Oakes, Boertien, Riggott, Higginbotham, Mawene, Burley, Powell, Johnson, Kinkladze, Ravanelli, Burton (Morris 80).
Subs: Grant, Daino, Murray, Valakari.
West Ham: Hislop, Winterburn, Song, Dailly, Schemmel, Sinclair, Carrick, Hutchison, Cole (Moncur 85), Kanoute (Todorov 54), Di Canio (Defoe 80).
Subs: Forrest, Soma.
CLUB WEBSITE
PRE-ORDER YOUR 2007/08 HOME SHIRT
The new adidas kit is coming soon - and you can be among the first to sport the new shirt as the Rams return to the Premier League.
Pre-order now to get behind Billy's boys and make sure you don't miss out.
Adult-sized shirts are priced at £40 and junior sizes at £30.
Simply call 0870 444 1884 or visit www.shopdcfc.co.uk/instore/e-tail.asp to pre-order now.
