Groundwork: The Story Behind Jim Smith's Derby County

Jim Smith took charge of Derby County in 1995 and oversaw a transformation that took the club to a new home, a new division, and to the brink of European competition for the first time since the days of Dave Mackay. He built a side capable of matching the best in English football, amassing international talent and impressive home-grown players. This is the story of Jim Smith's Derby County, told with exclusive insights from Smith's players, coaching staff, friends, and supporters. Rams legends such as Igor Stimac, Stefano Eranio, and Steve McClaren speak in depth on what made that Derby County side, and those closest to Jim reveal what the legendary man-manager was like to deal with.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd

When Jim Smith assumed the reins of Derby County in the summer of 1995, he embarked upon a challenging task of restoring financial stability to a club that had struggled to attain the Premier League for several seasons. With limited expectations, Smith joined forces with Steve McClaren, and together they orchestrated a remarkable transformation that propelled Derby County to new horizons. Their efforts led to the relocation of the club to a modern stadium, a promotion to a higher division, and for the first time in decades, put Derby on the brink of European competition. Smith's remarkable achievement was in building a team that rivaled the finest in English football, assembling an impressive array of international talent that had rarely been seen in the British game. Alongside these foreign stars, he also cultivated a strong contingent of home-grown players who shone brightly on the pitch. This captivating story of Jim Smith's Derby County is brought to life through exclusive insights from Smith's players, coaching staff, friends, and supporters. Rams legends such as Igor Stimac, Stefano Eranio, and Steve McClaren delve deep into the factors that made that remarkable Derby County side, while those closest to Jim offer personal accounts of the legendary man-manager both on and off the football field.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801500883