ACADEMY NEWS: Under-21s Pre-Season Schedule Confirmed

Derby County Under-21s have confirmed three pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Following an update provided at last month’s Fans’ Forum, the Under-21s will be led by Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Danny Maye.

Jake Buxton began last season as Under-21 Lead Coach and, after moving into a First Team position until the end of the campaign when John Eustace joined the club in February, he is now taking on a new role as Senior Transition Coach, bridging the gap between the Academy and First Team.

Keith Briggs, who finished the 2024/25 season in charge of the Under-21s, will now move to be the Lead Coach of the newly formed B Team.

The Under-21s will play three public friendly fixtures over July and August, which fans can attend. The matches will be in preparation for the season, where they will once again compete in Premier League 2 and the Premier League Cup.

The first public game of the pre-season will see the Under-21s travel to local non-league side Long Eaton United at Grange Park on Tuesday 29th July (7pm kick-off).

The Leasing.com Stadium will be the venue of the next match-up, with Macclesfield FC the opponents on Saturday 2nd August (3pm kick-off).

Tickets for the match can be purchased on the day at the Leasing.com Stadium’s Academy entrance. Further ticket information for the match-up against the Silkmen can be found by clicking here.

Northern Premier League side Ilkeston Town will be the final publicly scheduled fixture taking place at the Robins’ New Manor Ground on Tuesday 5th August (7pm kick-off). General admission for the clash will be £5 for adults, with Under-12s FREE.