Mention Derby County FC and one automatically thinks of the legendary Brian Clough, the outspoken Teessider who transformed the East Midlands club from Second Division also-rans into First Division champions and European Cup semi-finalists in the late 1960s-early 1970s.

He arrived at the Baseball Ground - Derby's main home until they moved to Pride Park in 1997 - in 1967 and, in conjunction with Peter Taylor, turned the Rams into Second Division champions within two years after picking up future stars such as Roy McFarland and Archie Gemmill for a pittance.

That was just the start of a glory-filled six years under the pair as Derby County landed the Watney Cup in 1970, the Texaco Cup in 1972 and, unbelievably, the League title in 1972, before reaching the last four of the European Cup in 1973.

When Clough and Taylor left in 1973 after a fall-out with the board, Dave Mackay continued their excellent work by landing Derby another League title in 1975 following the inspired signing of England forward Francis Lee.

Since then, however, there has been little to shout about for the Derby faithful, apart from a period under Jim Smith, who led the football club to the Premier League in 1996, and a season under Billy Davies, who repeated the feat by beating West Brom in the Championship play-off final in 2007.

The following season, though, was grim indeed as Derby County FC managed only 11 points, the lowest ever in the history of the Premier League, and were relegated by March 29th, the earliest ever.

On September 13th 2008, the Rams chalked up their first league win for almost a year, but despite taking Derby Football Club to the Carling Cup semi-final, manager Paul Jewell resigned in December 2008 and Nigel Clough stepped into his father's famous shoes.

Set up in 1884 by members of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derby County FC was one of the founder members of the Football League in 1888.

Up to the mid-1920s Derby County alternated between the top two tiers. This was followed by a prolonged period in the top flight, lasting almost 30 years, when the Rams were runners-up twice.

Derby County's first major trophy came in 1946 with an FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, but the football club was relegated in 1953 and again in 1955, their first time in the third tier.

Derby Football Club bounced back in 1957, however, to spend the next 12 seasons in Division Two until Brian Clough's arrival.