Rams Remembered...Dave Mackay

David Craig Mackay

Mackay takes matters into his own hands

Derby County, or more correctly Brian Clough signed Dave Mackay for an unbelievable £5,000. Fans could not believe that the Tottenham Hotspur legend was a Rams player. Clough later said that the signing of Mackay was the best days work he ever did.

Mackay was undeniably the strong leader that every successful team must have. A tough guy having come back from two broken legs in his career with Spurs.The gamble of buying Mackay, if indeed it was a gamble paid dividends in the first season as the Rams won the second division title with ease. Not surprising then that David won joint player of the year that year with Tony Book of Manchester City.

The three years that Mackay was a player with the Rams where successful but it was a shame that he left Derby to join Swindon town just before Derby County won the First division Championship for the first time. However the mighty wing half returned to Derby County a second time, this time as manager. Once again the Rams where a success with Mackay at the helm, winning the first division championship again in the 1974-75 season. Also narrowly missing out on a trip to Wembley after defeat in the semi Final of the FA Cup by Manchester United.

Mackay is still a regular and popular visitor to Pride Park and will always be remembered as one of the all time greats at Derby County.