Making More Memories

Chris Martin has enjoyed some fine moments in a Derby County shirt – and he’s determined to enjoy plenty more.

The Scotland international striker is back with the Rams for 2017/18 after spending most of last season on loan at fellow Sky Bet Championship side Fulham.

He signed a new contract with Derby midway through last campaign, running through to 2020, and he’s desperate to add to his goals tally for the club.

The 28-year-old joined Derby from Norwich City in 2013, initially on loan before signing a permanent deal ahead of the 2013/14 season at the end of his contract with the Canaries.

In total, he has made 160 appearances for the Rams and scored on 63 occasions, hitting 20 plus goals in successive campaign during 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Martin believes his time with Derby has been the best point of his playing career to date, but hopes many more happy years lie ahead.

He told RamsTV in Tenerife: “Up to this point being at Derby County has been the best point of my career, but it is tinged with disappointment because we haven’t achieved our overall goals.

“Looking back on it, I have positive memories so far but looking forward, I want more.

“When you look at the experiences and trials and tribulations we’ve all had, if we could go and get promoted then it would be one hell of a story for the club, the supporters and the city.”

When asked to select his stand-out moments of his time at Derby to date, Martin has two which stand out from the crowd.

He scored a number of crucial goals in 2013/14 as Derby reached the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium, ending the campaign with 25 in total.

His strike in the 4-1 semi-final second leg home victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, to put Derby 2-0 up, has a special place in his heart – as does his last-gasp winner against Yeovil Town at Pride Park Stadium a few months earlier.

He said: “The goal at home to Brighton in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals is probably my favourite moment.

“I know Will Hughes got the ball rolling with his goal, but it felt like mine sealed the victory.

“We had the scenes and celebrations afterwards which made it really special. At the time the reaction was amazing with the supporters running on the pitch.

“There’s a few others too; I scored against Yeovil in the last minute when we were 2-0 down to win 3-2.

“The reaction from the crowd and the roar was brilliant. I’ve watched the video back and you could see the excitement and joy on everyone’s faces.

“I think those moments are great. Obviously, I’ve scored some really good goals, but the feeling those goals that I mentioned evokes inside you – especially if it’s a crucial goal or last minute winner – they are really special.

“I am sure I could pick out a few more memories but right now, those two are the ones that are right up there.”

After spending almost all of last season with Fulham, Martin is back in the Derby camp and part of the squad for their pre-season training camp in Tenerife this week.

Knowing pretty much all of the squad already, with the exception of David Nugent and Curtis Davies, Martin says it has been easy to slot straight back into the group.

He said: “There’s a few new faces but also plenty of old ones as well.

“I know everyone pretty much so there’s not that nervousness of being in a new group; I don’t struggle to start up conversations anyway and I am probably too loud at times!

“I’ve enjoyed it so far. We’ve got a few new signings and people that came in last season that I hadn’t met before, so it’s good to work with them.”

Looking back on last campaign, being loaned out to Fulham and signing a new deal with the Rams, Martin admits 2016/17 was an ‘interesting’ and ‘strange’ year.

However, he isn’t keen to look back and he says the final outcome – returning to Derby – is a positive one.

Now, though, he has his focus on firing Derby towards the top end of the table this coming term.

He said: “It was an interesting and strange season; I’m not going to go into massive amounts of detail about it.

“Stuff has happened in the last 12 months which I probably didn’t expect to happen, but ultimately I think I have come out of it in a positive manner to this point.

“I am back here with a few years extended on my contract, with a club where I have had some success in the past.

“I hope we can push on now and get over the line, which we haven’t been able to do so far.”

Martin admits that when he linked up with Fulham, he felt that his Rams career was over.

He says being away from his family, who remained in Derby while the move was temporary, was a challenge.

However, after returning home in May, he views the upcoming campaign as a fresh start and a chance to get back on the goals trail in a Derby shirt.

He said: “When I left to join Fulham on loan last year, I thought that was it in terms of my Derby County career.

“Nigel Pearson was in charge at the time and we didn’t have a fall-out; he just didn’t see me in his plans in terms of the way I played and the direction he was looking to go in at the time.

“I got a sense of that a few weeks before it actually happened. I didn’t envisage leaving when I came back for pre-season, but as the transfer deadline came close I had got used to the idea I might not be here.

“I know it was only a loan deal, but figures were agreed for something more. That never materialised, though.

“However, I am really happy that I have been able to return to this club.

“My missus and two kids stayed in Derby the whole time because it was only a temporary move. They missed me, I missed them, so it’s great to be reunited with them and come back to a club I have a lot of fond memories at.”

He added: “You have to use the old cliché about moving on and learning from mistakes that were made along the way, to make sure I don’t get in the situation I got myself in.

“I think this is a fresh start for me and I don’t want to dwell too much on last season. I know I am better than what I showed on the pitch but I think there were a few contributing factors surrounding that.

“As a footballer you have to assess your own performances on the pitch and I know I can do better. With a good, tough, pre-season behind me and a real positive feeling amongst the lads and a good group – I think I can have a successful season.”