DERBY COUNTY were still living off their 1946 FA Cup final success against Charlton Athletic when Alan Durban arrived at the Baseball Ground.
The Rams had celebrated just a Division Three North title in 1957 since their thumping victory at the Twin Towers.
But that was about to change in May 1967 when a young manager confident in his own ability and his side-kick arrived.
Within two years, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor had led Derby to a Second Division title and three seasons after that they were champions of England.
Derby started the season like a house on fire and were unbeaten in their first 12 games, but Durban remembers that, even then, the title wasn’t a forgone conclusion.
“At the start of a season back then, any one of ten teams could win it. I think six or seven different sides had won it in the previous seasons.
“I thought we had a very good start. I felt the keeper had very little to do in those matches and we won very, very comfortably.
“I always felt we had enough. We could get goals without committing many people forward.
“The front three (Kevin Hector, John O’Hara and Alan Hinton) stayed up there and I was the first person to catch up. But nobody else needed to be bombing on,” he said.
The Rams plugged away and added the Texaco Cup to their trophy cabinet after seeing off Scottish side Airdrie 2-1 at the Baseball Ground after drawing 0-0 north of the border.
And they were flying in the FA Cup, as well, until being derailed by Arsenal in the fifth round following two replays, which Durban believes was a blessing in disguise.
A single goal from John McGovern that earned a 1-0 win over Liverpool in their last game meant they had one hand on the trophy.
But they had to wait a week for Liverpool, who needed a win at Arsenal, and Leeds, if they got a point at Wolves, to finish their fixtures.
All huddled around a telephone in Cala Millor on the east coast of Majorca, they listened on as Liverpool were held 0-0 and Leeds went down 2-1
Esta historia es de la edición November 05, 2017 de The Football League Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 05, 2017 de The Football League Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
NOLAN BIDS TO GIVE THE COBBLERS A REBOOT
NEW Northampton boss Kevin Nolan says restoring shattered confidence is his first priority at Sixfields.
'INCREDIBLE” MAGPIES HIT DONS HARD
NOTTS County boss Stuart Maynard hailed an \"incredible\" display after his side won at MK Dons.
100-UP HERO COOKS VALE
ANDY Cook was saluted by both managers after the Bradford striker scored a goal-of-the season contender in the Bantams' victory over Port Vale.
SUPER STAGS HUNT DOWN SORRY POSH
NIGEL Clough saluted his rampant Stags as Mansfield Nuted blew Peterborough away at London Road.
FLETCHER SPOT ON TO DEFEAT POOL & LEAVE BRUCE FUMING
STEVE Bruce slammed referee Ruebyn Ricardo for awarding Wrexham a late penalty against his Blackpool side from which they produced the winner.
LAMPARD HAS ROO FEELING SO SKY BLUE
FRANK Lampard admitI ted he has great sympathy with what counterpart Wayne Rooney is going through at Plymouth after their first managerial clash ended with a thumping Coventry triumph.
THORUP DELIGHT AS CITY BOUNCE BACK
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup will be looking to make it a Christmas double when his side entertain QPR today.
BULLISH EDWARDS DEFENDS HATTERS
'We did deserve a point'
Cullen brace sets a mark for Luke
LUKE Williams hailed a near-perfect performance by his Swansea side against QPR and hopes they can repeat the feat versus Luton today.
WARNE: WIN WILL GIVE US A BOOST
PAUL Warne admits his Derby side's win over West Brom will give them a much-needed boost as they prepare to host table-topping Leeds United this evening.
