All aboard the ship of Oak

Last updated : 07 August 2006 By Rams Mad Editor

Matt Oakley
Captain Matt Oakley
Derby County new boy Matt Oakley has been handed the captains armband by manager Billy Davies., he will take over duties as team Captain.

The influential midfielder will take charge of on-field activities tomorrow night in the Rams first away game at nearby Stoke City. He is said to have a very commanding presence and voice on the pitch, which is something that appears to have been missing for quite a while in the Derby team.

Oakley who didn't play in Sunday's game against Southampton will take over from Michael Johnson. Johnson now moving to club Captain and takes over off field captain's duties, whatever they are!

Billy Davies was also upbeat about bringing Celtics Midfielder Stephen Pearson to the club. Davies told local Radio Derby that a fee had been agreed and it was now just a matter of agreeing personal terms with Stephen.