Swindlehurst, Dave: Record signing

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WHEN centre-forward Dave Swindlehurst signed for Derby County from Crystal Palace in April 1980, he became the first £400,000 transfer in the Rams’ history, writes Anton Rippon.

Swindlehurst is seen here putting pen to paper at the Baseball Ground, with manager Colin Addison looking on, before a game against Manchester City.

He started his professional career as an apprentice with Crystal Palace in 1973, and first came to Derby as a loan player two months before his transfer was made permanent (the fee paid was actually £410,000).

The day he signed for Derby County was a strange one for the Rams.

Although they beat Manchester City, they also lost their status in football’s top flight.

The management hoped that the new strike partnership of Swindlehurst and Alan Biley would lead the Rams straight back to the First Division.

But the rest of the team was not good enough.

While Biley was transferred to Everton in July 1981, Swindlehurst spent the rest of his time at Derby helping to avoid a further relegation.

By the time the cash-strapped Rams transferred him to West Ham United for £160,000 in March 1983, Swindlehurst had scored 32 goals in 125 appearances for Derby.

He later played for Sunderland, Wimbledon, Colchester and Peterborough before going on to manage several non-League clubs.

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