Derby County were delighted to stage an exclusive ‘Golden 50’ event, sponsored by Chasetown Civil Engineering and Ivygrove Developments, on Thursday evening to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of winning the 1974/75 Division One title.
The club welcomed several members of the trophy-lifting team, along with representatives from the families of staff and players who are sadly no longer with us. A period of reflection for those that have sadly passed away took place at the event.
The evening, which was held at Pride Park Stadium, also offered fans the opportunity to reminisce the Rams’ second triumphant campaign of the 1970s where Dave Mackay, who had been victorious with Derby as a player in the Second Division in 1968/69, added to his silverware tally once again as Manager.
Players attending the evening included the winning side’s captain Archie Gemmill, club ambassadors Roger Davies and Roy McFarland, 1974/75 PFA Player of the Year Colin Todd, Bruce Rioch, Alan Hinton, David Nish and Steve Powell, with representatives of Dave Mackay, Jeff Bourne, Francis Lee and Gordon Guthrie’s families also joining the club to mark the anniversary.
Derby County owner David Clowes, alongside other senior club officials, was in attendance to take a trip down memory lane from one of the greatest periods in the Rams’ history and, thanks to the EFL, the First Division trophy was on display. A three-course meal, with the menu based on the food served 50 years ago, was served to attendees.
In line with the club’s annual End of Season Dinner earlier this week, several awards were handed out to recognise the achievements of the title-winning side.
They were:
Highest League Goalscorer - Bruce Rioch
Young Player of the Season - Steve Powell
Goal Of The Season - Francis Lee Vs Manchester City
Brian Clough Award - Colin Todd
Player of the Season - Peter Daniel
Derby County’s 1974/75 Season In Focus
Under the management of Mackay, who had succeeded Brian Clough in the hotseat, Derby finished two points clear of Liverpool in second place following 42 matches.
It was another exciting season for the Rams and they netted 67 goals across the league season. Midfielder Bruce Rioch bagged 15 goals to finish as the club's top league scorer, and the front three of Kevin Hector, Francis Lee and Roger Davies all contributed 12 or more.
Rioch and goalkeeper Colin Boulton were the only two ever-presents in the side during the season.
The season actually started slowly for Derby, with just one win from their opening seven fixtures, and despite a run of six wins in 10 between September and November, they were in tenth spot going into Christmas. However, a run of just three defeats in their last 20 games fired Derby to glory.
A 0-0 draw away to Leicester City in their penultimate game, combined with Ipswich Town drawing at Manchester City a few days later, confirmed the Rams as champions for the second time in four years.
Another goalless draw saw out the season, at home to Carlisle United, but the result was incidental - and Derby were able to enjoy their success in front of the Baseball Ground crowd.
