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
この記事は The Football League Paper の November 05, 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Football League Paper の November 05, 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.
