Derby County: Defence all at sea

Mansfield Town's George Darwin signs for Derby County in May 1957 for £4,000

Derby County V Liverpool at the BBG in October 1957. Goalkeeper Terry Webster is wrong-footed. The other Rams players are (from left) Frank Upton, Martin McDonnell, Albert Mays and Geoff Barrowcliffe

DERBY County’s defence gets into a real tangle during the Rams’ memorable victory over Liverpool at the Baseball Ground in October 1957, writes Anton Rippon.

Goalkeeper Terry Webster is wrong-footed. The other Rams players are (from left) Frank Upton, Martin McDonnell, Albert Mays and Geoff Barrowcliffe.

It was a memorable win because it came in the Rams’ first season back in the old Second Division, after two years in the Third Division North.

Liverpool were yet to appoint Bill Shankly as their manager, but they were already challenging for promotion from the second tier of English football.

The Rams had begun their climb back in disappointing fashion and it soon became clear that the team which had achieved one promotion was not strong enough to challenge for another.

Manager Harry Storer had already made one significant signing, when tricky little inside-forward George Darwin joined the Rams from Mansfield Town in May 1957.

Darwin cost Derby £4,000 in cash with reserve full-back Keith Savin going to Field Mill to make up the difference.

When Liverpool arrived at the Baseball Ground, they had finished third in each of the previous two seasons under the managership of their former player, Phil Taylor.

They also included Scotland goalkeeper Tommy Younger, signed from Hibernian for £9,000 the previous year.

Darwin and Younger would be key figures in the match.

After Dennis Woodhead had given the Rams a surprise lead, Darwin chased a loose ball into the Liverpool penalty area.

Younger came out to challenge him and was injured, damaging a sciatic nerve. The Merseysiders were down to 10 men – no substitutes in those days – and no proper goalkeeper.

Eventually, Younger resumed at centre-forward and Liverpool drew level with a goal from Tony Rowley.

Five minutes from time, Darwin restored the Rams’ lead and, although Younger then resumed in goal to allow his side to charge forward for the equaliser, the Rams hung on to take both points.

The game was enjoyed by 22,631 fans.

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