Take a look back at Derby County’s enthralling 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, ten years on from the day.
“I think this win is for the Derby fans,” proclaimed Derby County manager Steve McClaren. The Rams had just made history on a wet March day in 2014, putting five-goals past their nearest rivals, Nottingham Forest.
It was a win that, ultimately, had no bearing on the final league position or chances of promotion for the Pride Park outfit. Years have passed and the two rivals have been down contrasting paths since, and yet, that day lives long in the memory.
Jeff Hendrick’s lung-bursting counter-attack and Johnny Russell’s curling effort – which went on to win Derby’s goal of the season award in 2013/14 – were all overshadowed by one man. Craig Bryson.
The man behind the deforestation of Forest, Bryson, scored a hat-trick against the local rivals, making history along the way. The midfielder was only the second player in Derby history to score three in the East Midlands Derby, behind Steve Bloomer in 1898.
To say that the 33,000 in attendance at Pride Park had seen history would be stating the obvious. To be on the pitch at that moment, as it all plays out, must have been a whole other experience.
George Thorne looks back on Derby County 5-0 Nottingham Forest
One of those players that worked his way into the hearts of Derby fans was midfielder George Thorne. A loan deal with West Bromwich Albion was secured for him in late January 2014, but a full debut wasn’t handed out until March.
It was in that game against Nottingham Forest that 21-year-old made his bow for the Rams, which is far from an easy first outing. Reflecting back on that day, Thorne discussed plenty with Derby County News on the win.
“I guess not!” Thorne exclaimed at whether his debut could have been any more perfect. “At no stage realistically did we go in to the game envisioning that kind of result, however one thing we knew during the back end of that season is that it would take a lot to stop us so our confidence was sky high.
“We became automatic in everything we did regardless of the opposition. So in hindsight it was the perfect introduction to becoming a Ram.”
A season-topping 33,004 fans were in attendance to witness all five goals hit the back of the net. Chants demanding for goals four and five could be heard around Pride Park as supporters lapped up the occasion.
“I was fortunate to have played in front of some big crowds in big games prior to this fixture which I think helped me really focus at the task at hand,” Thorne continued. “Having said that there is no better feeling than to have a perfect day like that in front of a sold out Pride Park.
“[A] 5-0 win and 33,000 supporters at home against your local rivals is an occasion that will live with all us players for a long time.”
Craig Bryson hat-trick v Nottingham Forest
Bryson’s treble on the day lives long in the memory of Derby fans and will be something that cements his place in the club’s history. The 2013/14 season saw the midfielder continually hit the back of the net, linking up well with striker Chris Martin.
His two opening goals came from late runs and the ability to sniff out a chance around the box. The third was from a penalty, which was awarded for a foul on Patrick Bamford.
Thorne revealed there were no discussions surrounding giving Bryson the penalty and that it was decided in the moment. “As I said everything we done during that period was automatic.
“If the game was tighter when the penalty was given you can be certain Chris Martin would have been our taker. Fortunately with how things unfolded and the position we managed to get ourselves in by the time the penalty came around.
“The opportunity for Craig to complete his hat-trick and do something historical came at pretty low risk for us so it was a no brainier.”
How Derby County players reacted to historic win over Nottingham Forest
So, did a team that just cemented themselves in Derby County history go nuts in the dressing room after? Well not quite, as Thorne explained how ambitions were aimed at looking beyond that game, gratefully accepting the Brian Clough Trophy along the way.
“Nothing out of the ordinary [after the match]. Obviously, that fixture, the Brian Clough trophy is up for grabs, so we briefly accepted that however it was quickly focus turns to the next job at hand. As I said during that period we was in an automatic mindset and had a bigger target in our minds that season then just beating Notts Forest [Nottingham Forest], with all due respect.”
Derby County 5-0 Nottingham Forest: Ten years on
So ten years on from the event, Derby’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest still ranks quite highly in their recent history. It’s symbolic of a team that were playing at their very best, when the journey was entertaining but the destination wasn’t reached.
It’s something that has clearly stuck with Thorne, how he and the team couldn’t quite get themselves back into the top tier in his time with the club, despite cementing himself in a team that will be remembered for years. “Obviously it’s nice to hear when put that like,” the former midfielder said on being in a historic lineup.
“However the overriding feeling from that season still remains disappointment as I feel we should have got ourselves promoted. Again, also in terms of my actual career, as I sit here today I am left with an overriding feeling of unfulfillment both with regards to what we actually managed to achieve at Derby County, in terms of not taking the club back to the Premier League.
“And finally personally with my injuries ultimately bringing my career to a stop as I felt I could have personally gone on to achieve a lot more in the game.”
In conclusion
It’s always seen as a bitter-sweet moment to look back on the 2013/14 season, given how it ended. However, it underlines the importance of enjoying things in the present and making memories for a lifetime, even if the final goal isn’t reached.
Given the dark places Derby County have been in the years since, enjoying the present as it unfolds is perhaps a message to grab hold of, for the future is always unknown.
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