Derby County are set to become one of handful of teams to reach an historic 5,000 League games.
One of the EFL’s original founding members, Derby’s inaugural game came in September 1888 when they came from behind to run out 6-3 winners away at Bolton Wanderers, and 134 years later, they will reach a special achievement.
The Rams will achieve the feat when they take on Lincoln City this evening, becoming only the fourth team behind Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Preston North End, to reach the feat.
EFL Chair Rick Parry has sent on his congratulations to the club.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “I’m delighted they’ve achieved it and wish them every success for the future. I was fortunate enough to give Preston their award a couple of years ago but 5,000 games is a bit special. Clearly, to get that far you have to have been one of the Founder Members of the EFL.
“We talk about the future and progress, but history is also incredibly important. That’s something you can never take away from that group of Founder Clubs. They will always be remembered.
“Derby’s first-ever game was against Bolton Wanderers who will achieve the landmark themselves relatively shortly. It’s a bit special. It’s a vast number of games when you think about it and an incredible landmark.”
The club enjoyed their most successful spell in the 1970s. Under legendary boss Brian Clough, the Rams ascended from the Second Division in 1968/69, shortly after his arrival, before championing the First Division in 1971/72.
Meanwhile, away from the League, the Rams have won the FA Cup in 1946 and also reached the European Cup Semi-Finals in 1973.
“I remember Brian Clough arriving at Derby County; a larger-than-life character to say the least,” Parry recalled. “He was one of the great managers of all time really. That was very much my era in supporting football. They were a great team to watch, and they had some great players – Roy McFarland and Kevin Hector.
“He got them promotion and two league titles in fairly rapid succession. It’s always a difficult league to win but as a Liverpool fan, Liverpool were right up there and Leeds. That was some achievement for them to come through the Second Division and break straight in.”
Article provided by EFL.com.