Derby County -A season review
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The book is full of facts, comments and stunning full colour photographs of each and every game of last season, a season that saw Derby County grow from a Championship struggler to a Premiership side inside a year.
Although the book charts events of less than twelve months ago, it brings back instant memories of players, incidents and games, and also details that you may have forgotten.
The review starts with an introduction by Rams manager Billy Davies and goes on to recall June of 2006 when Derby County appointed Billy as their manager, following the club take-over by Peter Gadsby and his associated directors.
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The book has every game of last season in it and even charts the pre-season games against MK Dons, Mansfield Town, Burton Albion and the last warm-up game against Premiership Bolton Wanderers, an omen maybe of things to come!
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As you work your way through the book players that have come and left the club come flooding back into your mind. A photograph of Inigo Idiakez confronting the referee not only reminds you of the player but his attitude to officials and the numerous yellow cards he gained whilst with the Rams. Idiakez of course left the club later in the season and his agony at missing a penalty in the Play-off semi final second leg is also recalled later in the book.
Flicking through the book you get a very good view of just how the Rams improved during last season the league table after just five games had the Rams in 19th place. It is also interesting to note that Sunderland the Championship winners were lying in 23rd place in the league.
It is not only league games that are recorded in the Review but also Cup matches. A crowd of just 5,598 watched Doncaster Rover beat the Rams in exciting circumstances after a penalty shoot out ended 7-8 to the Rovers.
The information just goes on and on and you get the feeling of being back in time and enjoying the incidents, good and bad, again.
The giant "Derby County-Super Rams" flag makes an appearance on page 158, and being unfurled for the first time in April.
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The final game against relegation doomed Leeds United saw the expected win and Derby were to take part in the Play-off's. Pictures of a bizarre incident in which referee Phil Crossley collided with Seth Johnson and sustained two broken ribs accompany the games review. The final league table shows Derby third.
All the excitement and nerves of the Play-offs are replayed with a very in depth analysis of the two semi final games, with full colour photographs capturing the tense atmosphere for fans and players, plus the sheer relief as the Rams win the penalty shoot out.
The Final of the Play-offs may still be fresh in the minds of those lucky enough to go to Wembley but we re-live the whole tense but ultimately glorious day of the 28th May 2007 with accompanying full colour photographs of the day. Derby's Chairman, Peter Gadsby, managing Director Mike Horton, Marc Edworthy and David Jones give their views on the final and promotion to the Premiership.
The final photographs are of the triumph return to Derby and Pride Park of the Rams players and management, no words to this section, but who needs any, the photographs tell the whole story.
To sum up, this is another gem of a book from Breedon books and Gareth Davis and well worth the investment of £16.99. The review will stir memories in years to come of a season that people will never forget.
Derby County Mad in Association with Breedon Books have two copies of this excellent publication to give away. Details of a competition will appear here on Derby County Mad very soon..