May 3
Three goals in the first half did the damage as Derby ended their season with a 3-1 defeat away to Watford.
The Rams fielded a much-changed side at Vicarage Road but they were up against it after Jobi McAnuff's early goal, and when Grzegorz Rasiak had added two more before the interval it was pretty much game-over.
Watford had done the hard work but equally could have been caught out at various points during the first period, and again after the break with Scott Loach producing a couple of very good saves.
Kris Commons looked Derby's most likely source of a goal but one eventually came from loanee John Eustace, playing against his parent club.
And there were positives to come in the second half in the shape of promising debuts for youngsters Mark Dudley and Mark O'Brien, who both got their first taste of football at senior level.
Full story
May 3
Nigel Clough described the Rams' season-ending 3-1 defeat at Watford as one that summed up large parts of the 2008/09 campaign.
Derby began brightly at Vicarage Road and could have been in front but found themselves three goals down at half-time.
They continued to create chances after the break and eventually got their reward through a John Eustace header.
Full story
May 3
Debutant Mark O'Brien was as calm in his first post-match interview as he had been on his first senior appearance for the Rams.
The 16-year-old - he doesn't even become a full-time Academy scholar until next season - was introduced as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 defeat at Watford.
And after giving a composed performance at the back he was equally comfortable in front of the media microphones.
Full story
May 4
Arsenal claimed the 2009 FA Women's Cup with a victory over a gritty Sunderland side that was perhaps more emphatic than the scoreline suggested.
The Gunners were on top for almost all of the first half but had only Katie Chapman's 31st-minute goal to show for their endeavours.
Sunderland goalkeeper Helen Alderson produced a string of fine saves to keep her side's hopes up of an upset.
It wasn't until the second minute of stoppage-time at the end of the 90 that Arsenal eventually doubled their lead through the impressive Kim Little.
Even then, there was time for some late action as Vicki Greenwell came close to pulling one back, before Kelly McDougal did so right at the death.
But that was pretty much the last kick of the game as Arsenal saw it out to keep alive their hopes of a league and cup double.
Full story
May 5
Former favourite Spencer Prior was back in Derby County colours on Tuesday night - before switching over to the opposition!
The centre-half appeared for the Rams and hometown club Southend United in his benefit game at Roots Hall.
Prior began the second half in a Derby shirt for the first time since leaving the club in 2000 before turning over to the Shrimpers with 14 minutes remaining.
Full story
May 6
Derby County Ladies crowned a memorable season on Tuesday night by winning promotion to the FA Women's Premier League for the first time.
The Rams will play in the Northern Division - the same level as FA Women's Cup finalists Sunderland - for the first time after being crowned champions of the Midland Combination.
They did so in dramatic style with a 4-2 victory over struggling Crewe Alexandra in front of a Pride Park Stadium crowd on Tuesday night.
Full story
May 6
Mark Dudley reflected on a "good experience" after bringing the season to an end with his senior Derby County debut.
The 19-year-old came on as a substitute in the Coca-Cola Championship defeat at Watford to crown his first year as a professional.
"Getting out there and playing the last ten minutes at a place like Watford was a good experience for me," Academy graduate Dudley said.
Full story
May 8
Derby County's pre-season preparations will come to a close with a home friendly against Premier League side Stoke City.
The Potters will be at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday August 1 for a 3pm kick-off as Nigel Clough's men end their non-competitive games ahead of the new Coca-Cola Championship season.
It's a chance for Derby to come up against the side that gave them one of their most memorable moments of 2008/09.
Nobody gave the Rams much of a chance when they headed along the A50 for the Carling Cup quarter-final in December but they came back victorious in stoppage-time.
Ex-Ram Andy Griffin's handball inside the box allowed Nathan Ellington to calmly finish from the spot, setting up the thrilling last-four games with Manchester United.
Derby have also lined up away friendlies against Burton Albion, Chesterfield and Notts County, along with a tour of the West Country taking in Yeovil Town, Torquay United and Exeter City.
Ticket details for all matches will be announced in due course, but all 2009/10 season ticket holders will receive a free seat for the Stoke game as part of their package.
May 11
Nigel Clough has got his summer transfer business underway after agreeing a deal to sign powerful centre-half Jake Buxton.
The 24-year-old will pen a one-year deal with the option for a further 12 months upon the expiry of his contract this summer with newly-promoted Burton Albion, Clough's former club.
Clough took Buxton to the Pirelli Stadium from Mansfield Town last summer and says the player will "walk across broken glass" to come to the Rams.
Full story
May 12
Jake Buxton would happily start the new season tomorrow after agreeing his move to Derby County.
The 24-year-old will sign a one-year contract at Pride Park with the option for another 12 months when his current deal at newly-promoted Burton Albion expires this summer.
And in his first interview with RamsWorld, Buxton described Nigel Clough's assessment he would "walk over broken glass" to join the club as an understatement.
Full story
