During the 1972–73 English football season, Derby County F.C. competed in the Football League First Division. As the reigning champions of the First Division, Derby would represent England in the European Cup.
Season summary
The club broke the British transfer record with the signing of half-back David Nish, from Midland rivals Leicester City, for £225,000. Derby County were unable to retain their title and finished in 7th place, one point off qualification for the UEFA Cup. This slump was in part due to the club's poor away form, winning only four matches away from home all season – one of the matches lost was a 5–0 defeat at Leeds United, the loss only serving to intensify the rivalry between Clough and United manager Don Revie. The club had better success in the European Cup, reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out by Juventus: Clough accused the Bianconeri of bribing the match officials — describing the Italians as "cheating bastards" at the end of the first leg match in Turin —, despite they will prove later unrelated to any attempt to combine.
At the end of the season, Kevin Hector was voted Derby's Player of the Year.
Squad
Transfers In Pos. Name from Type DF David Nish Leicester City £225,000 FW John Sims Out Pos. Name To Type DF John Robson Aston Villa £90,000 FW Barry Butlin Luton Town
Results
First Division
League table
Results by round
Matches
League Cup
Second Round
Third Round
FA Cup
Third round
Fourth Round
Fifth Round
Sixth Round
European Cup
Eightfinals
Quarterfinals
Semi-finals
Statistics Squad statistics
References
External links