Derby County: Rams v Real

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Ragout of Rams v Real Madrid match October 1975

Rams goalkeeper Colin Boulton can't contain his delight as the Rams beat the greatest name in footballing history, Real Madrid 4-1 at the Baseball Ground on October 22, 1975

A glum Charlie George returning from Madrid after the Rams lost 6-5 on aggregate in 1975

IT is 30 years ago this week since that memorable night when the Rams hit their highest peak – Derby County v Real Madrid for a place in the quarter finals of the European Cup. Even just saying the words sends a thrill down the spine of any local football supporter – and every one of those 35,000 fans who crammed into the Baseball Ground on that October evening to see their team put on a dazzling performance, will never forget the score line.

Derby County 4, Real Madrid 1.

It still takes the breath away, as does the Rams team. Just reading their names brings back memories of the way they were. Colin Boulton, Rod Thomas, David Nish, Bruce Rioch, Roy McFarland, Colin Todd, Henry Newton, Archie Gemmill, Franny Lee, Kevin Hector, Charlie George.... all men of character and ability who wrote their names into the club’s history.

Afterwards Telegraph sports writer Gerald Mortimer described it as a classic, Colin Todd said he had never played in a better match and Dave Mackay said it was easily the best performance since he had been at Derby.

Real Madrid, with current stars like David Beckham and Ronaldo, continue to be one of the best club teams in the world; sadly, the same cannot be said for the Rams. In fact, by the time Dave Mackay and his English championship team had come to that magic moment in 1975, the good times were almost over.

Of course, there have been other highs, but winning a fantastic game of football before your own crowd, against such brilliant opposition, for a place alongside the crème de la crème was the pinnacle of everyone’s dreams.

According to Gerald Mortimer it was a game in which the Rams displayed glorious flair and surging football which could possibly bring them the title of champions of Europe.

But – and isn’t there always that little word to contend with? – manager and former star player Dave Mackay, while thrilled at his team’s success in the first leg, erred on the side of caution.

This tie, he told Gerald, was by no means over. In their own Estadio Santago Bernabeu, in Madrid, Real could still make Derby sweat it out.

But all managers – except Mourhinio, the “chosen” one – say things like that.

And so, fans took little notice, queuing up to get airline tickets to Spain to see their team make it through to the European Cup quarter finals.

Surely, not even Real Madrid could turn around a three-goal lead. Two weeks later, everyone knew the answer. Real Madrid 5, Derby County 1 (Real won 6-5) on aggregate.

“Rams Crash Out. Scintillating Santillana Sees Super Senors Home” screamed the headlines. Derby people were gutted.

After that cracker of a tremendous match two weeks previously, November 5 brought just a damp squib.

Courage and endeavour and a three-goal lead were just not enough; Real Madrid were too quick, too clever and too good.

It was, said Gerald Mortimer, no disgrace losing to a better side, even by so crushing a margin. But, for the players and the fans, it was a bitter disappointment.

Cheesed-off Charlie George who scored a hat-trick in the first leg and the only goal in the second, said sadly: “I have scored four goals in this European Cup tie and we have still lost. Now, I’ll have to score a couple at Highbury.”

Like his colleagues he was already putting the loss behind him and looking forward to the League match against Arsenal, his old club, in three days’ time.

Though Derby did win that away game, it was Kevin “The King” Hector who scored the only goal which took them almost back to the top of Division One.

The magic moments were over for the Rams. It was time to get back on the treadmill of English League football. While for the fans it was back to earth with a bang with their hopes and dreams shattered.

If only .....

Pat Parkin.

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