2024 will go down as one of the best in Derby County’s history.
40 years since they were last a third-tier side after a some turbulent financial times, the Rams raised their heads from obscurity and stepped back in the Championship.
Having won all their Christmas matches they started 2024 with a late defeat by Peterborough at Pride Park.
That signalled the end of a run that saw them win eight out of nine games. It was a run that propelled them into the top four.
Overall then won 14 of 19 games and by mid-February they were second behind season long leaders Portsmouth.
Ebou Adams’ arrival in the January transfer window was an epic signing for Derby.
He is now up their with Leon Osman’s loan spell in January 2004 which inspired George Burley’s Rams to Championship survival.
Midfielder Adams was the missing piece of a team that was desperate to achieve promotion after disappointment the previous campaign.
Two defeats in late February sparked nervousness amongst the fan base at Barnsley and at home to Charlton.
The character from Paul Warne’s side was evident, after every setback there would be a reaction.
Experienced free agent Dwight Gayle joined on loan for the rest of the campaign and scored three goals in three wins, he had the sharpness a successful Premier League striker has but his body let him down and he missed a number of games through injury.
The run-in saw eight wins from 12 with a defeat by Northampton and the battle of the top two ended 2-2 at Portsmouth.
The Rams sealed promotion back to the Championship with a 2-0 win over Carlisle at Pride Park on a glorious day in April.
Derby have grown into this Championship season slowly. They’ve been competitive in all of their matches and at the turn of this year have shown a step up in ability and understanding.
Warne has stuck to his principals and is always first to admit his mistakes.
Owner David Clowes had stated there is backing for his January transfer window activity, which makes an exciting second half to the campaign and perhaps some investment come the summer.