300 Up For Derby’s Longest-Serving Player Forsyth

Derby County’s Craig Forsyth recorded an impressive personal and club milestone in Saturday afternoon’s Sky Bet League One meeting with Fleetwood Town at Pride Park Stadium.

The experienced left-sided defender registered his 300th competitive appearance for the Rams in the contest.

To mark the occasion, and this month being the ten-year anniversary of the start of his association with the club, owner David Clowes made a special presentation to Forsyth, who was joined by his family on the Pride Park pitch, prior to kick-off.

Forsyth is now one of only 30 players to make 300 or more appearances for Derby and only the second since the 1990s, following in the footsteps of former team-mate Richard Keogh.

The 34-year-old, who joined Derby on loan from Watford in early 2013 before completing a permanent switch a few months later, is the Rams’ longest-serving player.

Of his 300 appearances, 279 have been starts and the versatile defender has also contributed with seven goals.

Forsyth, who began his career with Dundee before moving to England to join Watford in 2011, has made over 400 appearances in professional football.

The club stalwart and popular member of the dressing room saw his impressive performances at club level rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland national side in 2014, for whom he has registered four appearances.

Forsyth’s evolution as a Derby player has seen him converted to a central defender under Head Coach Paul Warne this season and his leadership skills and respect he holds across the club has seen him wear the captain’s armband on several occasions in recent months.

He’s also had to battle back from three long-term knee injuries too, sustained in 2015, 2016 and 2018, but those injuries have not defined his time at the club. He has tackled every challenge head on and remained a vital member of the squad under each management team since 2013, highlighting his professionalism in varying circumstances.

Congratulations, Fozzy!