We'll be back in 81

My first memory of the reserves was standing on the ossie end terrace in the early seventies watching them on a Saturday afternoon when the first team would have been playing away at the same time. The half time scores were relaid to us via the letters that the stewards would put up between the ley stand and ossie end.

Wildsmith
Smith   Forsyth   Cashin   Roberts
   Knight     Hourihane   White
Mendez    McGoldrick   Barkhuizen 
 
Subs: McGee, Rooney, Davies, Thomson, Springett, Dobbin, Collins
Would not mind seeing Smith in midfield and play Rooney at right back but think Warne might go with the above which looks strong.

Your post implies that the EFL agreed a business plan with us to trade at a loss coming out of administration. What rubbish, there is no earthly chance they would agree such a thing. Can you imagine for one second why they would? The aim of the exercise would be to ensure we didn't get into such an unholy mess by living beyond our means again right? And also not to be able to bounce straight back by spending more than we have?  I'm saying to you that the business plan would have been predicated on considerably lower income and for the club to break even at worst but probably to maintain a modest surplus. So we must surely have a healthy surplus but we aren't allowed to spend it    

Love this from Rams Review! 
 

this Sunday the 8th January it will be forty years to the day since we did this in the FA cup !!
The Baseball Ground was shaken to its very foundations !!
 

Wildsmith
Smith.             Forsythe           Cashin.           Roberts
  NML.             Knight.             Bird.         Barkhouzen 
                    Collins.            McGoldrick
I would like to see Knight in midfield to give more energy, box to box.
 

Wildsmith
Smith.             Forsythe           Cashin.           Roberts
  NML.             Knight.             Bird.         Barkhouzen 
                    Collins.            McGoldrick
I would like to see Knight in midfield to give more energy, box to box.
 

Hopefully Warne is learning from these games: four at the back suits our better players much better, and Bird and Hourihane don't work together in midfield.
If nothing else I think it's encouraging he was willing to change formations tonight. 
 

Thanks loweman, I have been in there a few times. The best decisions ever were made in that bar. 

That is incredible Ellafella, if that is a picture of the first ever league game to kick off in world football and that document must be worth a fortune. It is amazing that these exist. It is great to know Derby County kicked off the first ever league game in history.

Thanks loweman, I have been in there a few times. The best decisions ever were made in that bar. 

It was the gentleman’s bar at the back of the hotel, down the courtyard, I actually took all of the 1880s shirts down there and we did some Rams Heritage Trust photos, back at the official birthplace where the decisions were made !

Ellafella, they should have one of those blue plaques put up at the bell to commemorate the forming of DCFC, do you know which room/bar was used for these historic events?

That is incredible Ellafella, if that is a picture of the first ever league game to kick off in world football and that document must be worth a fortune. It is amazing that these exist. It is great to know Derby County kicked off the first ever league game in history.

Ellafella, they should have one of those blue plaques put up at the bell to commemorate the forming of DCFC, do you know which room/bar was used for these historic events?

I’m so glad you agree @hiltonram. It fills me with absolute wonder too. I though do need to caveat - the picture is Pikes Lane but not confirmed it’s a pic from the Bolton v Derby game. It could be …I suspect more research may narrow it down. BUT…without doubt Derby County was right a the very heart of the start of the Football League despite being formed just 4 years prior. Also played the game in which the first ever goal was scored {by Davenport for Bolton} and was top of the League at 5pm on the first Saturday of the Football League {by modern standards of goal difference} although technically no table was produced { “ points” weren’t invented until a few weeks later}. Puts into total perspective the near loss into liquidation of Derby County last year. Derby County was right at the very eye of the entire system from the get-go. 
The Committee Minutes to me are priceless - just look at the names - Morley, Bakewell, Williamson, Plackett. The team was picked by the Committee a week or so before in the presence of some of the players themselves …can you imagine the scene at the Bell Hotel…
William Morley: I think we need Haydn [Morley] at the defence; But what about Campbell?
Mr Leech: ah, we’ve had a note saying “ can’t come”.
Willliam Morley [turns to Haydn] “ Right son, you’re playing!”. 
 
Love it. 

That is incredible Ellafella, if that is a picture of the first ever league game to kick off in world football and that document must be worth a fortune. It is amazing that these exist. It is great to know Derby County kicked off the first ever league game in history.

…and another hugely historic document connected with the game. The Derby County Committee Meeting notes from 3rd September detailing inter alia the team to play v Bolton. This is the stuff of history {thanks to @loweman2, who else}. 

Couldn't let this day pass without reminding us...it all began today...134 years ago.
On this day 134 years ago, Derby County travelled to Pikes Lane, Bolton. They travelled by train. They were 15 minutes late and so kick-off was delayed. The delay unsettled the team because they fell 0-3 behind quickly but rallied after the break to win 6-3. Derby's goals came from George Bakewell (2), Lewis Cooper (2) and 'Lol' Plackett (2). Derby had poached all of those players from local rivals.     
Ten of the twelve teams took part in the first ever round of Championship fixtures on Saturday, 8 September 1888 and although no league table was published in any of the newspapers of the time West Bromwich Albion would have been the very first table toppers. By modern-day calculations, Derby County would have been the first ever table toppers because of their superior goal difference which was +3 after the first game. Albion won 2–0 at Stoke in front of 4,500 spectators and would have headed Preston North End, Derby County and Everton by virtue of an infinite goal average as they kept a clean sheet. Goal Average was the number of goals scored divided by the number of goals conceded. Goal Average was used to separate teams who were tied on points at that time. Preston defeated Burnley 5–2, Derby were 6–3 winners at Bolton and Everton secured the points in a 2–1 victory over Accrington. Aston Villa defender Gershom Cox was thought to have earned the distinction of scoring the first ever league goal with an unfortunate own goal in a 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fred Dewhurst opening the scoring minutes later at Preston with the first intentional goal. However the post-match reports of relative kick-off times show most games were delayed allowing for crowds to assemble. A goal by England and Bolton winger Kenny Davenport 2 minutes into the match against Derby County was scored comfortably before any other and is now regarded as the first ever football league goal. 
To put it all in context, as the Derby Team would have been arriving back at Derby station later that evening, the London newspapers would have also been arriving by train in Derby and would have been detailing how earlier that morning the body of Annie Chapman was discovered in Whitechapel, London. She was the 2nd victim of Jack the Ripper. 
The picture below shows Pikes Lane Bolton and then the shirt Derby County wore that day, thanks to @loweman2for re-producing such a brilliant and quality item. 
I will raise a glass tonight in celebration.  
 

Oh B4, you do have a habit of brightening ours days up. ?

Oh B4, you do have a habit of brightening ours days up. ?

Oh B4, you do have a habit of brightening ours days up. ?

Yep, thought the new shirts looked very good yesterday. Those of you who disagree are entitled to your opinion, but you are wrong ;)
 

Agree with this, too many bar code lines, I would prefer it plain. I like the black socks too. Just get Rolls Royce to sponsor the shirts, that would sell well.