FROM THE TOP: A Message From David Clowes

On the final day of last season, we were all sat at Pride Park with a sense of both fear and trepidation, given the fact that relegation was still a mathematical possibility.

A year later, we go into our last game with a chance of making the promotion play-offs. That – to refer to one of the club’s cultural pillars – is progress.

No matter where we stand come the final whistle, we can all take a huge sense of pride and satisfaction from this season. Before a ball was kicked, we all agreed that a top ten finish would signify an excellent campaign and perhaps put us ahead of schedule in our bid to get back to the Premier League.

Thanks to John, his staff and every player involved in the campaign, we have exceeded those expectations in truly challenging for the play-offs and taking it to the last day of the season.

Personally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank John for his unstinting efforts on behalf of the club. He’s the first person through the door every morning at Moor Farm and, more often than not, the last to leave at night.

When we appointed him, we knew this was someone who understood Derby County and what the club stands for. His dedication, professionalism and the standards he sets are exemplary.

He has created a culture of excellence that brings the best out of everybody, and the results are clear to see on and off the pitch.

But knowing John as I do, he’s not going to be entirely satisfied. Whenever the actual season ends, he might take a few days off, but then he will be looking at where we can improve before we go again in pre-season.

That’s the ambition we want to match. There has been a transformation in our recruitment process, and I could not be more pleased with the way Stephen Pearce and Leigh Bromby have worked together over the last two windows to bring real quality to the club, and that has to continue in the summer.

Changing faces are inevitable, but as long as we improve with every signing, whether they go straight into John’s first team plans or with an eye for the future, we always have to strive to be better in every element of recruitment.

Alongside talent, any new player who comes to the club has to have the mentality to match the others in the squad. That has been a hallmark of so many performances this season, a dogged resilience never to give up.

We saw it at QPR last weekend, and it has been just as much part of a successful season as, say, that incredible night at Bristol City.

There have been disappointments, as there always are in a nine-month campaign. I can’t help wondering where we might have finished had Carlton not been injured against Watford. He was on such an incredible scoring streak, so to lose him at a vital stage was a blow.

And talking of strikers, everybody at the club wishes Patrick well in his recovery. He more than fulfilled our faith in him, and it was devastating to see how his season ended.

But he will be back to pick up where he left off, building a great career at the club.

Finally, I’d like to thank the fans. I’m constantly in awe of your loyalty and devotion to this special football club, and you’ve played your part in driving the team forward.

Let’s hope this is NOT the final game of a fabulous season. But if it is, enjoy the summer and thank you for your continued unstinting support.

Thank you.

David Clowes