Shipley Ram

I'm just setting of with my youngest. Last time I took him to a game George Thorne scored the winner.

I'm just setting of with my youngest. Last time I took him to a game George Thorne scored the winner.

I'm just setting of with my youngest. Last time I took him to a game George Thorne scored the winner.

Following our first title in 1971-72, this season marks the 50th anniversary of Derby’s European Cup debut & the start of 4 very eventful European campaigns up to the end of 1976. Like the 1971-72 season scrapbook last season, I’ll be looking to mark each game 50 years on with match reports, TV footage (if available) & as much info and memorabilia as I can glean. Of course, nothing will beat having been at the games themselves so recollections & memories are most welcome.
To set the scene, Derby’s qualification for the European (Champions) Cup was at a time when only the league winners (and the European Cup holders) qualified for the tournament. At that stage, only one English club had even reached the final, let alone won it – that being Manchester Utd in 1968 under Sir Matt Busby. Therefore Derby were bidding to become only the second English club to be crowned Champions of Europe – no small challenge considering our European debut had been delayed following disqualification from the 1970-71 Fairs Cup for ‘financial irregularities’.
50 years ago today then, we began our 1972-73 European Cup campaign against the Yugoslav champions FK Zeljeznicar at the Baseball Ground. Zeljeznicar were based in Sarajevo in what we now know as Bosnia & like Derby they had also won their maiden title the season before, beating the challenge of illustrious names such as Red Star Belgrade, Dynamo Zagreb, Partizan Belgrade & Hadjuk Split.
Here are the beaming first XI of Zeljeznicar with their suitably austere Communist-era title trophy;

 
Onto the game - despite the pretty physical opponent, Derby were able to secure a 2-0 advantage going into the second leg in Yugoslavia - goals coming from Roy McFarland & Archie Gemmill either side of half time. Match report below;

 

 
John O’Hare closely marked by two Zeljeznicar defenders during the match;

 
Programme from the match to mark the occasion;

 
Full round up of results elsewhere in Round 1 – second legs due to be played two weeks later on 27th September;

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

It bet if Mel had used that loophole they would have found it to be touchable

Steve Carter a tricky winger, we swapped Don Masson for him then he had an serious achilles injury whch limited his appearances.

I'm gutted but then I remind myself where we were 3 months ago and think things could be a lot worse. The result from the Shitty Ground raised a smile from me.

His attitude in training has been commented on before
 

I like this comment
"Bloody hell you’d have expected derby to be top by a mile on this with the way Gibson was bleating on."

His attitude in training has been commented on before
 

I like this comment
"Bloody hell you’d have expected derby to be top by a mile on this with the way Gibson was bleating on."

Frankly they can f*** right off. They arrange the youth system so then can poach the best players for bugger all, can't give them game time to develop so want to change the lower league to develop the players they have stolen. How about you let the players devolop them pay a propper fee for them. I'll be so dissapointed if the EFL don't tell them where to stick it.
 
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/26/premier-league-wants-championship-to-house-loan-players-in-new-finance-deal

I dreamt late night I went to Anfield and we won.
I don't think it can be prophetic as I went on to celebrate at Rosco's and the Pink Coconut which both seemed to be in Livepool round the corner from Anfield.

I dreamt late night I went to Anfield and we won.
I don't think it can be prophetic as I went on to celebrate at Rosco's and the Pink Coconut which both seemed to be in Livepool round the corner from Anfield.

Have you come across the Lancashire Action group? They look like they are taking a stand.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/24/lancashires-awkward-squad-ready-to-battle-for-county-crickets-future
 

Have you come across the Lancashire Action group? They look like they are taking a stand.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/24/lancashires-awkward-squad-ready-to-battle-for-county-crickets-future
 

Sky highlights
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12680174/derby-1-0-west-brom-carabao-cup-highlights

Sky highlights
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12680174/derby-1-0-west-brom-carabao-cup-highlights