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A great Derby County photo


petersimple

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I saw Sammy Crooks play and I'm 64 :) Mind you it was in a testimonial at the BBG.

 

64, you say. That's how old Steve Bloomer was when he died. Be careful, young man.

It's a pity Hughie Gallacher wasn't in the picture. I think he left the previous season. Bloomer and Gallacher were two of the all time great goalscorers.

Sammy Crooks was sacked as chief scout when they got rid of Tim Ward so he probably felt bitter about the club during the Clough years. I wonder if he ever bothered watching them. His wife only died a few years ago.

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Being 17 and obviously a Derby fan I bought Steve Bloomers biography, it was incredible. The stories of his life were just so fascinating for someone who wasn't alive when we played at the BBG.

 

It also told of how we started out as a club as we had two clubs, Derby Town and the Derby Swifts (Steve Bloomers first team) I believe they formed one club which also meant we were the first ever football club to have an A and B team.

 

I believe we were originally called The Derbyshire County Football Club and we played at the cricket ground, also many players actually played for the DCCC. We moved to the BBG when a very rich entrepreneur came from America and tried to get Baseball popular in England, he failed and so Derby moved in. There were stories of how in big matches people would clime to the top of the floodlights to get a better view.

 

Steve was from an industrial family and I believe he worked in the railway in Derby due to the poor wage of footballers back in the day.

 

He lived near Osmaston Park I believe and practiced kicking the ball at knee height as it was hard for the goalkeeper to reach it. His dad tried to discourage him from playing football as in them days it was extremely dangerous. Steve once broke his collarbone in a match which was back them a career ending and potentially life threatening injury. Also Steve Bloomers brother played a few games for Derby at a young age and was a hot prospect, sadly, he died from TB or something similar in his teens I believe.

 

Bloomer was a short and slim man with a very pale complexion which gave him the nickname of the Destroying Angel. His celebration was noted as being a cartwheel which was before his time in them days. People say Michael Owen bears similar attributes to Bloomer due to their pace, finishing and surprising strength. Bloomers darkest moment was when he captained England against Scotland, the first international fixture which I believe he played, it was in 1902 and the first Ibrox disaster.

 

the game wasn't abandoned and Steve had to lead his players past the bodies of the dead and injured fans. He was regarded as the first footballing celebrity and was a household name to some. he married and had 4 children, all girls, he was disappointed not to have a son to carry on his footballing legacy but I believe he once bought one of his daughters a pair of football boots.

 

He was also a POW in Germany when he started coaching in Berlin after retirement. when he left the POW camp in 1918 a football match was played in his honour. He then managed in Holland and then led Real Union to the Copa-del-rey in 1924. I think he then went on to manage in Australia although im not sure.

 

He then suffered from a mental condition and died at the age of 64. A bust of him was erected in Pride Park in 2009 and the song Steve Bloomers watching was born.

 

One of the greats and hopefully some fans will understand about this club legend a bit more and maybe sing the song in his honour before the match rather than having YNWA or the forest anthem.

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