retired_gunvor

Izale Mcleod returned from his 'roughing up' session at Mansfield. McLeod started 6 games and scored 3 times.

Blackburn defeated Sunderland in extra time to progress on to the FA Cup final, their opponents would be decided between the game at Old Trafford.

Junior returned from a lengthy injury and secured a place on the bench.

Derby County XI

Lee Grant (GK)
Pablo Mills (DR)
Dean Lewington (DL)
Gary Caldwell (DC)
Michael Johnson (DC)
Candido Costa (MR)
Lee Holmes (ML)
Ian Taylor (MC)
Orri Freyr Oskarsson (MC)
Serge Makofo (FC)
Lee Morris (FC)

Subs
Andy Oakes,Steve Elliott,Stuart Downing,Junior,Tom Kemp

Chelsea v Derby County
Old Trafford Attendance 68,183

With only 4 minutes on the clock two Chelsea players, Glen Johnson and Milovan Mirosevic had picked up yellows. The unthinkable happend, we struck first. Serge Makofo lost the experienced Marcel Desially and ran at goal bringing Carlo Cudicini off his line Makofo played the ball to Lee Morris unmarked to his left and poked the ball home. The thousands of Derby fans to my right hand side were jubilant, beach balls and black and white confetti were all over the pitch. 1-0 County. We could see Chelsea were out to threaten us, sliding hard in challenges and being physicaly aggressive. Their tactic worked well as Lee Morris limped off with from what I could se an ankle injury, Tom Kemp took his tracksuit off and ran out onto the park. Chelsea drew level. Excellent play by Damien Duff on the left hand side ran into our box and crossed for Mateja Kezman who couldn't miss 1-1. Both teams went in at half time on level pegging. I told my lads "Your ever so close to playing in a major final, it would be a crying shame not to get to Cardiff when were so close. Chelsea are nothing, we've beat Newcastle and Fulham to get here. Now get out there and show the world what your made of! Come on!!" I knew Chelsea were an amazing team despite what I said to my players. The Tinkerman lived up to his name and made a double substitution at the break. 60 minutes gone and Candido Costa was having a stinker. He was replaced by Stuart Downing, Orri Freyr Oskarsson went on the right hand side and Downing went into the centre. "Nooo!" I clasped my head in my hands, the blue set of fans were roaring. Mickael Forssell scored on the 89th minute, a cruel blow. Barry Knight blew up for full time. I shook hands with The Tinkerman and ambled out onto the pitch, my lads looked dispondant. Some in tears, the older players were comforting the young heads like Makofo and Kemp. I felt like crying but I had to stay strong. I looked over to the sea of black and white, the fans chanting and singing showing their pride. We had on thing left on our minds, that was getting back to the land of giants.

Full Time Chelsea 2 v 1 Derby County

It was time to get back to the nitty gritty, a tough task awaited us at Crewe and with many of my players absolutely exhausted I decided to put out a 'second string' team.

Junior started his first game for 2 months and Keith Andrews came back into the team.

Crewe Alexandra v Derby County
The Alexandra Stadium Attendance 10,110

67 seconds on the clock and the underdogs Crewe took the lead. Christopher Scott latched onto a through ball by Justin Cochrane and finished from an acute angle 1-0 Crewe. We were looking the stronger team despite being a goal down and eventually our possesion paid off. Staurt Downing played a long ball over the top, Crewe keeper Owain Fon Williams decided to come off his line into no mans land and was rounded by Junior who shot from the edge of the area 1-1. Serge Makofo came on for Tom Kemp who was dissapointing. The young man instantly made an impact, Oskarsson left Frazer Richardson for dead on the right hand side and crossed for the enigmatic Makofo who headed us into the lead, 2-1 County. 77 minutes gone and Crewe equalised. Non existent marking from my players left Lee Bell with a one on one with Lee Grant and drilled the ball into the net. 2-2. "Johnson you plank!" Michael Johnson miss hit a clearance which landed on the edge of our penalty area Crewe substitute Danny Schofield blasted the ball in to make it 3-2 Crewe. "Bloody dissapointing!" I told them in the changing room after the defeat. West Ham had won 3-0 at home against Gillingham and were beggining to close the gap.

Full Time Crewe Alexandra 3 v 2 Derby County

retired_MikeMcC

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>It's were we finish that matters

Have a nice time in Division Two, send me a postcard <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Indeed it is, have fun with grimsby and brighton!

retired_gunvor

We had 5 league games remaining, two of which were away games. I figured the championship could possibly be decided in our penultimate league match away at Bradford City.

It was mathematically certain that we had secured a play off place, it wasn't going to take it. We only had one thing our our minds, the championship.

Watford v Derby County
Vicarage Road Attendance 16,910

We fell to pieces, David Duke's pace frightened by defence, whilst they were quaking in their tracks Duke found Anthony McNamee unmarked to slot home for 10 yards out 1-0 Watford. Almost immediately we hit back like a championship team should. Serge Makofo showed a turn of pace, Makofo ran between two Watford defenders as though they weren't there to set up Junior to head home unmakred 1-1. Lee Holmes came on for the uninspiring Keith Andrews after 74 minutes. Watford did well to keep us at bay for the rest of the game. After only picking up a point the table didn't lie. We were dropping points thick and fast and with West Ham now only 5 points behind us we had it all to play for.

Full Time Watford 1 v 1 Derby County

West Ham's next opponents were W.B.A at The Hawthorns, with West Ham's poor away form and our excellent home form I was hoping to pull away from them.

Junior picked up a calf strain in training and was to miss the Millwall game, Gianfranco Labarthe Tome, a young Peruvian striker was called up to the first team as Lee Morris was also suffering.

Derby County v Millwall
Pride Park Attence 29,450

Gianfranco seemed to fit into my squad as though he'd been there all season, but despite all of Tome's and Makofo's efforts Millwall kept us under wraps until we went in at the break. I checked on how West Ham were doing at W.B.A, they were currently drawing 0-0. We fell apart, George Burley must of gave an inspiring team talk to his players as they came out fighting, Neil Harris latched onto a long ball from Peter Sweeney to cooly slot under the oncoming Lee Grant. 1-0 Millwall. The players were met with a resounding grumble from the Derby fans, I was angry at them, "You think your going to get the Championship on a plate? No your F**king well not!" West Ham had drew and picked up yet another point reducing our gap to 4 points. I was starting to panic, the anxiety was building up inside me. We had to get better, we had to.

Full Time Derby County 0 v 1 Millwall

Steve McClaren was appointed the new W.B.A manager after leaving Middlesborough. I was tempted to apply, the thought of being able to manage in my native North East would be a dream come true. I bit my tongue and decided not to. I was going to stay and battle it out for the Championship.

The return of Lee Morris bolstered my squad selection, Tome was relegated to the reserves. Tom Huddlestone also came back into the fold after his spell of injuries.

Derby County v Stoke City
Pride Park Attendance 32,013

What an awful first half, our lads played as though they'd never played with each other before. Miss placed passes coming from left, righ and centre. Players thinking ahead of others and some not thinking at all. 70 minutes gone and I decided to try the leggy Dean Lewington out on the left wing. Once again we'd only managed to pick a a single point, with West Ham playing a day later than ourselves we'd pushed up the gap to 5 points. We were gradually getting there, but not good enough at all.

Full Time Derby County 0 v 0 Stoke City

West Ham travelled to Sheffield United who were sitting just behing them in 3rd. I was hoping for a resounding United win. The game finished 0-0, it seemed as though neither of the top two could finish of their opponents when needed to.

We had two games remaining, away to Bradford City and a home match against Wimbledon, whilst West Ham had to play Rotherham at home and Preston away. It was going to go down to the wire.

Monthly awards for April

Player of the month
Danny Forrest - Bradford City

Young Player of the month
Scott McDonald - Wimbledon

Manager of the month
George Burley - Millwall

We travelled to a difficult Bradford City side desperatly looking for points, a win today and the championship would be in touching distance.

Bradford City v Derby County
Valley Parade Attendance 22,571

"Yessssssss! the old pairing of Morris and Junior struck, Lee Morris ran with the ball into the heart of the defence and pulled the ball back to Junior who drilled the ball into the back of the Bradford City net 1-0 County. 5 minutes after our goal Bradford hit back. A beautiful shot from Paul Evans outside of our area richoted off the post which landed at the feet of unmarked Danny Forrest who prodded the ball home 1-1. I decided to switch things roundon the hour mark. I changed the formation to 4-3-3 with Makofo coming on for Keith Andrews. Lee Morris lead the onslaught on Bradford's goal mouth, Makofo to his left and Junior to his right. Morris opted for Makofo who was played through on goal and finished with the sweetest of shots 2-1 County. With us 2-1 up I changed the formation once again. Dean Lewington came on for Junior and we adjusted to the 4-1-4-1 formation. We'd done it, currently 6 points clear of West Ham and waiting on their result. West Ham had to win, if not they'd be handing the title over to us.

Full Time Bradford City 1 v 2 Derby County

West Ham only manged a draw! we'd achieved the near impossible. "Weeeeee Are The Champions, My Friend!" sang Queen at the training ground on Monday afternoon. Booze was prohibited until we had played Wimbledon on the final day, then the party really would begin!

Many pundits doubted my ability from the start. "No Hoper Appointed At Derby" "Paul Who" "Cheap Skate County" read some of the headline newspapers upon my arrival at Derby. I'd kept them as a momento, to see how people doubted me. I showed the all, FA Cup Semi Finalists First Division Champions all in one season. I obviously must of done something right.

retired_gunvor

With the championship secured we could finally breathe easy, I was hoping for a full Pride Park for our victory parade around the ground. The trophy was actually at the ground ans was in touching distance. I actually wasn't allowed to touch it until it was official that we had won the league.

Derby County v Wimbledon
Pride Park Attendance 14,156

We started the game as champions and showed Wimbledon that we were going to live up to our title. Wimbledon old boy Serge Makofo broke through the Wimbledon box to fire across Steve Banks goal to make it 1-0 County. The first half came and gone, with a pityful and I mean pityful 14,156 fans. I expected a sell out, where had all the fans gone? 60 minutes gone and Mikele Leigertwood hacked down Lee Morris in the box, Lee Holmes stepped up ... Missed! awful execution the ball bobbled into the hands of the grateful Steve Banks. Lee Holmes capitalised on awful Wimbledon marking and shot home from 20 yards to make it 2-0, this was turning out to be a vintage Derby County performance. With 5 minutes to go I decided to shake things up a bit, Junior came on for Lee Morris and Dean Lewington came on for Luciano Zavagno. It was over! It was official. "Please put your hands together for the First Division Champions Derby County!" read the PA at full time.

Full Time Derby County 2 v 0 Wimbledon

Frank grabbed me by my neck and kissed the top of my head. "We've done it!" I clasped my arms around him and squeezed. I ran out onto the victorious turf to celebrate with the players. The chant of "Championeys!" was ringing all around the stadium, players had managed to accoster fans black and white wigs, novelty glasses and flags. We took a lap of honour around the pitch whilst we were waiting for the Football League Officials to set up the trophy stand. As we walked round I could see it in the fans faces, how much it meant for them to be finally back into the Premiership. After our more than lenghty saunter around the pitch the FL officials had set up the 'area'. Each individual player went up, shook the hand of the dignitary and took their place along the row. Finally it was my turn, to the chant of "Pauly Sewell's Black White Army!" I stepped up and shook the hand of the dignitary who whispered in my ear "I thought you were a brave man to come here, you've done them proud, well done" I was gleeful. I had a smile from ear to ear. I waited for outgoing captain Ian Taylor to lift the trophy. "Come on Gaffer!" shouted Taylor "What are you waiting for?" He invited me over to the trophy, something which I thought was an invaluable gesture on his part. I grabbed the left side of the trophy whilst Taylor grabbed the right. "Ready Gaffer?" said Taylor "As ever" I replied. We both lifted the trophy with a tremendous ammount of passion, the fireworks went off behind us and the confetti was busying floating and flittering in the Derbyshire breeze. The champagne was popped and there was spray everywere you looked, players dancing with one and other and the players children lapping it all up on the pitch, taking as much satisfaction as their dads.

We'd done it, I had taken Derby County back to were they belong. Back To The Land Of Giants!

retired_gunvor

Players Overview

Goalkeepers

Lee Grant
Turned out to be one of the players of the season. Playing 46 games and conceding only 33 is an amazing achievement and 24 clean sheets adds credentials to his name.

Andy Oakes
Didn't feature at all and has lost his match fitness for it, good backup keeper but wasn't needed. Possible transfer away from the club.

Defenders

Gary Caldwell
The loanee Newcastle right back had impressed me during his season long loan, I approached to sign him but instead he signed a new Newcastle contract. Managed to chip in with 2 goals and proved to be a stubborn defender

Pablo Mills
This las has talent, I have him earmarked as the next England right back. Mills lived up to his reputation as a pacy defender who like to get as far up the field as possible. Great season.

Michael Johnson
He had an okay season, too inconsistant. Was often caught static at the back, ball watching. Will have to really fight hard to stay in the starting line up next season.

Dean Lewington
Joined us from Wimbledon for £8,000 mid season and has shown myself and Frank in training he has the ability. Will most likely be loaned out nest season to get some first team action.

Luciano Zavagno
The experienced Argentinian had a solid season despite his persistan knee injury. He attracted the attention of Wolves mid season which was rejected as they we couldn't agree a deal for him. Will be a prominant player next season in the Premiership.

Steve Elliott
Only manged to get 3 games under his belt all season, mainly because I didn't rate the lad. Most likely he'll be placed on the transfer list and shipped out as soon as possible.

Defensive Midfielders/Midfielders

Tom Huddlestone
Tom's season was blighted with injury, which was the reason why he could only manage 15 games all season. It's obvious the lads got talent, that's why we tied him down to a lenghty contract. Good season.

Keith Andrews
Came in on loan from Wolves, he performed well when our squad was thread bare. Despite his solid performances we won't be following up with a bid for the player, as we feel he isn't any better than what we already have.

Ian Taylor
The retiring captain has been an integral part of our championship season. Despite his age of 35 he managed to play 34 games and notch 3 spectacular goals. A true legend who shall be missed by every player and fan alike. My player of the season.

Simo Valakari
Beginning of the season I pin pointed Simo as one of my star players. But after his outburst in the press and dismal performances was dropped from the team. We have never really seen eye to eye and will be placed on the transfer list along with Elliott for an immeadiate transfer.

Orri Freyr Oskarsson
Signed for £14,000 from obscure Icelandic club Por Akurari. He has proved to be a vital player in our drive for sucess. Playing 31 games Orri scored 5 goals and assited in 10. Orri will be a prominant player along with Zavagno next season.

Adam Bolder
Barely had a kick of the ball making only one substitute appearance. Adam's contract his running out and we are certainly not giving him one.

Adam Murray
Along with Adam Bolder, Murray will be leaving Pride Park after not only not impressing me but my whole coaching staff. Bad attitude,Bad player. Another player off the wage bill.

Candido Costa
Candido was on a season long loan for Portugese club Porto. A wizard on the ball. Whenever Candido got the ball this season I had a feeling he'd do something with it. Whether it be an amzing freekick he's banging in or one of his hanging crosses, he could turn a game upside down. Trying our hardest to make sure Candido stays on a permanent basis

Stuart Downing
Young English left winger joined us during our final leg of championship glory along with Keith Andrews. Performed well despite the circumstances, but with young Wimbledon midfielder Jobi McAnuff coming in Downing would get his game. Solid 9 games.

retired_gunvor

Lee Holmes
Another Derby County starlet. The left sided midfielder had a tremedous season at the tender age of just 16. Fatigue hit Holmes mid season and missed quite a few games, but still manged to get 26 under his belt. With Lewington he may get loaned out next season. Excellent season.

Kristoffer Weckstrom
An injury from last season kept Kristoffer out for 6 months of this season. When he came back during the end of the season when we were having our injury crisis, he stepped into the role on the left hand side and more than held his own, which secured himself a new 3 year contract. Extremely happy with his progress.

Forwards

Lee Morris
A shining light in my front line. Playing a total of 49 matches and helping himself to a chunk of 30 goals was a major factor in our promotion sucess. Morris also turned provider 18 times etting up his striker partner Junior/Makofo/Kemp. Tremendous season, tremendous player.

Junior
Junior's season was plagued by a persistant shin injury was restricted him to only 20 league games, Junior manged to grab himself 11 goals in the process. But I have decided to release Junior when his current contract runs out, Junior is either hit or miss and we need consistant strikers in the Premiership. I'm sure Junior will attract a lot of attention.

Tom Kemp
16 year old striker impressed me during several reserve team games scoring 13 goals from 18 matches. I gave him a run out in the first team towards the end of the season and he coped extremely well scoring 3 times in 4 games. Like Lewington and maybe Holmes he will be loaned out next season.

Serge Makofo
An incredible little player with bags of pace. Signed from Wimbledon for £24,000 Serge has proved that he is capable of firts team action at such a tender age. 9 goals from 13 starts is a great ratio for Serge who will be there or there abouts in the starting line up next season.

retired_gunvor

We were awarded with £1.7 million for finishing the league as champions, with our bank balance now ever increasing, majority of this cash would go towards rebuilding my squad for survival in the Premiership.

The team of the year award was announced and the Derby County squad had to pkayer included. Lee Morris and Orri Freyr Oskarsson were selcted. I knew they'd be in it as they'd both been exceptional.

Monthly awards for May

Player of the month
Marlon King - Gillingham

Young player of the month
Steve Sidwell - Reading

Manager of the month
Andy Hessenthaler - Gillingham

Manger of the year award
Paul Sewell - Derby County

I knew deep down that I was going to get it, from an obscure coach in the Northern League to a Championship Manager and Semi Final contenders.

Frank indicated to me that Peter Sweeney would be a great signing and with his contract running out it would be stupid not to offer him a contract. With Murray,Bolder,Taylor all leaving and Andrews and Downing returning back to their respective clubs my midfield looked bare.

We offered Sweeney £2,300 p/w and a signing on bonus of £80,000. I was hoping that the incentive of Premiership football would be the key factor in his move. We waited his decision.

Sweeney decided to stay with his club Millwall, I was dismayed at the fact he'd rather stay at a club in the first than battle it out in the Premiership with Derby. I suppose Sweeney was being loyal, something you don't find often in football.

Lee Morris was voted Derby's Player of the Year, Morris much deserved the award after all he was pivitol in our success story. We were dealt another awesome boost, the Premier Division TV rights came through and we recieved £12 million for the season. I was delighted, I was hoping to spend quite a bit on new players, I just had to await the boards decision.

After two days of meetings the board came out and told me I had £6 million to spend on players. I was delighted, finally I can buy who I see fit. They alos issued me with their Appraisal, they are very pleased with my performance as manager of Derby County and would like the team to battle bravely against relegation. We were made out to be the whipping boys of the Premiership by everybody, pundits and newspapers alike. I slightly agreed with them as everybody at the club new it was going to be a more than difficult season.

retired_loubou

Congratulatiosn on the promotion.

It will be intresting to see how you will do in the Premiership. Good luck

retired_gunvor

When the fixture list was revealed I eagerly pondered over it. To my dismay we had to face the task of playing Mancherster United at Old Trafford then Arsenal at Pride Park. I hoped for our lads just to put in solid performaces in both games, anything from those two games would be amazing.

I offered Paul Tierny a contract as his was expiring at Manchester United. The Irish left back impressed me during his loan spell last season and would add depth to the left side.

Celtic,Wigan,Brighton and Colchester approached me over pre season friendlies. I was only too happy to accept.

With Candido Costa back at Porto we needed a right winger, somebody with the same flair and pace as he did. I figured Jermaine Pennant would be a more than capable replacement. I aproached Arsenal over a season long loan.

Arsenal rejected me approach for Pennant, I was dissapointed but I had to keep on searching. I looked over the free transfers list, with Ian Taylor retiring I decided to search for an experienced war horse.

I offered Gary Doherty a 4 week trial to impress me, I also organised a 2 match tour of Ireland to play Dundalk and Galway.

I was delighted that Paul Tierney agreed terms and joined up with us. He was a quality player on the brink of the Full Irish squad.

Danny Dichio,Sam Parkin and Jobi McAnuff all joined up at Pride Park to officially become players at the club. I stood inbetween them whilst the photographer snapped away. My squad was getting stronger.

Stephen Caldwell and Michael Foley-Sheridan also signed on the dotted line. Both players were battling it out in their respective Under 21 teams and are young and talented.

France maintained their Euro 2004 trophy with a fine 2-1 over Spain. A second half Pires goal secured it in a game which France deservedly won.

Young keeper Lenny Pidgeley became my 7th signing of my first Premiership season. A solid keeper who would be a more than capable backup.

We flew out to Ireland 2 days before our first game with Dundalk. I didn't want to take our lads away to far, also we didn't have the budget to fly them all out to Japan for a fw friendlies. I got a call from my assistant Frank who stayed at Derby as he was terrified of flying. He said that Gary Doherty had turned up to start his trial with us. Frank got him on the first plane over to Ireland to link up with us before our first game.

Pre Season
Dundalk v Derby County
Oriel Park Attendance 11,901

Stephen Caldwell chipped a great ball into the box where Foley-Sheridan was waiting to head home past the Dundalk keeper. 1-0 County. The first half frittered away after our goal. Jobi McAnuff played a corner into the back post were Lee Holmes was waiting to side foot the ball into the back of the empty net. 2-0 County. 57 minutes gone and I made some wholesale changes. Danny Dichio came off for Sam Parkin,Lee Holmes went off for Paul Tierney,Gary Doherty came off for Michael Johnson,Orri Freyr Oskarsson came off for Tom Huddlestone. The game came to a close and several new lads Valerio Di Cesare,Jobi McAnuff and Michael Foley-Sheridan had excellent games.

Full Time Dundalk 0 v 2 Derby County

retired_gunvor

Pre Season
Galway United v Derby County
Terryland Park Attendance 6386

We started awful and it was the minnows of Galway that took the lead. Paul O'Brien ran at Pablo Mills, dribbled round him and crossed for Paul Lynch who nodded home to make it 1-0. I wasn't sure if my players were still exhausted from the season gone or whether they just weren't intrested. Galway romped home with the victory and it was much deserved.

Full Time Galway 1 v 0 Derby County

I really did hate Pre Season, I thought it was the most arduous time of the season. Maybe it was because the games were dull and lifeless.

The Bhoys travelled up to Pride Park for our third pre season friendly. I was hoping for an improved performance from my players.

Pre Season
Derby County v Celtic
Pride Park Attendance 10,251

I could see from the off that this game was going to be different. We played with a spring in our step and notched the first goal of the game. Oskarsson ran with the ball down the right flank and corssed for Morris who headed into the top corner to make it 1-0 County. Celtic lived up to their never say die attitude and scored a screamer to pull level. Stillian Petrov picked up the ball on the edge of the Derby area and he curled a beauty of a shot into Grant's top corner 1-1 beautiful goal. After Celtic's goal we started to play well once again. Almost a carbon copy of our first goal secured our second. Oskarsson once again corssed for Morris who this time took a touch and shot into Hedman's goal 2-1 County. Half Time came and I made whole sale changes. Pidgeley came on for Grant, Di Cesare came off for Zavagno, McAnuff came on for Foley-Sheridan and 5 other subs came on. Craig Beattie made it 2 all on the hour mark when he was played through by Stanislav Varga and finished excellently 2-2. We were awarded a penalty after 69 minutes when Varga hauled Danny Dichio down in the box, Sam Parkin stepped up ... Goal, excellent finish. Now these games were what made pre season. Celtic hit us on the break. Bobby Petta struck a great shot with bounced off the post into the path off Brain Kerr who finished with ease 3-3. The game ended an entertaining 3 all draw. We played well and hopefully with performances like that will keep us up with the top flight.

Full Time Derby County 3 v 3 Celtic

Dean Lewington joined Second Division side Doncaster on a three month loan, like McLeod last season I feel that Dean needs a 'roughing up' session down in the lower leagues.

I was delighted at Valrio Di Cesare's performances 2 weeks into his 4 week trial and signed him up on a 3 year contract.