Carlisle United v Derby County, Saturday 23 September, kick off 3pm
It's been one heck of a ride for Derby fans on and off the field over the last few seasons, with the drop into League One at the end of the 2021/22 season an almost inevitable and unavoidable outcome.
The Rams rallied and their bid to bounce back at the first attempt last term failed at the final hurdle as they lost 1-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday in the last game, which pushed them out of the play-off places.
Better news followed as the restrictive transfer embargo - which had been in place for just under two years - was lifted just two days after the season had closed down.
Meanwhile new owner David Clowes revealed that had his takeover bid been unsuccessful, the club would have faced an even more troubled immediate future, with insolvency at that time a very real prospect.
The new regime and the ability to wheel and deal sparked a busy summer, with plenty of ins and outs.
The return of the very experienced Martyn Waghorn was one of the more significant pieces of movement, but the fans had to be patient as their team lost three of the first four fixtures.
Things improved towards the end of August with back-to-back league wins over Fleetwood and Peterborough, but it was back down to earth with a bump as September opened with a defeat at Bolton.
Last Saturday brought a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, with both goals coming in the final five minutes of the game.
Three wins, three defeats and a draw puts them firmly in mid-table, but they can score goals, with 12 on the tally so far.
It's some 40 years since we last met in league action - Carlisle won both of the old Division 2 outings that season. It was 4-1 away in October 1983 (Mally Poskett bagged all four that day) and 2-1 at home in February 1984 (Andy Hill and Alan Shoulder).
We said he was significant in the above section - and he is.
33-year-old Martyn Waghorn has five goals from seven games - three of them against Peterborough in the 4-2 away win at the end of August.
He's strong, experienced (obviously), agile, and has that instinct that tends to put him where he needs to be.
He'll need to be watched.
Click HERE to purchase a match pass which will allow you to listen to this fixture via our match streaming service.
With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.
Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Derby wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Cup | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| League | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Darren Bent gave the Rams the lead early in the second half in our August 2016 League Cup meeting at Pride Park. But Mike Jones took the tie to penalties with a beauty of a long-range volley. And what a shootout that turned out to be with the home side eventually winning through by 14 successful strikes to 13.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
These teams met at Brunton Park in the League Cup in August 2014 and Derby took control of the game in the second half thanks to a Jeff Kendrick finish. Chris Martin made certain of the Championship side's progression with a very late goal.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Referee - Martin Coy
Assistant Referee 1 - Alan Clayton
Assistant Referee 2 - Paul Newhouse
Fourth Official - Jake Topp
Observer - Eddie Ilderton
Our referee for this fixture is Mr Martin Coy. Martin has taken charge of six games so far this season and has shown 32 yellow cards and two reds.
Click HERE for the Ref Watch article that accomplanies this fixture.
Tickets for this fixture are on sale now.
Methods of purchase:
- In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time.
- Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
- Internet – buy online HERE.
Please note - persons under the age of 14 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Minors under the age of 14 will not be permitted entrance and parents / guardians will be called to collect the child and escort them from the premises.
** Season ticket holders who wish to move to a different area of the stadium for selected fixtures MUST do so before the day of the game. We will NOT be able to fulfil requests of this nature on match days **
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