Derby's second tilt at European football was made in the 1998–99 season, the Rams peaking in 2nd place after 6 games with a 2–0 home win overLeicester City, eventually finishing one place better off in 8th. They reached the FA Cup Quarter finals for the third time in seven years, losing out only to lateNwankwo Kanu goal in a 0–1 away defeat to Arsenal, and recorded some memorable victories, including a league double overLiverpool 2–1 atAnfield and 3–2 atPride Park and a 1–0 win overNottingham Forest in the teams' first ever meeting at Pride Park. Derby County were a club on the up; Pride Park's capacity was expanded (32,913 fans attended the 3–2 victory overLiverpool) and Derby's players were getting noticed – five had represented their countries at the1998 World Cup, andChristian Dailly was sold toBlackburn Rovers for £5.35m, comfortably the highest fee Derby had ever received. The key departure, however, wasSteve McClaren – Smith's number two since he had taken the Derby managerial position 3 years earlier – who departed in February 1999 to becomeSir Alex Ferguson's assistant atManchester United, winningthe treble in his first3 months at Old Trafford. The 1998–99 season was Jim Smith's Derby County peak, as the financial demands of Premier League football began to catch up with them.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Powell was born inLambeth,England, but also qualified to representJamaica internationally and made his international debut forJamaica in 1998.
^Dorigo was born inAdelaide,Australia, but also qualified to representEngland internationally after obtaining citizenship and made his international debut forEngland in 1989.
^Harper was born inOldham,England, but also qualified to representScotland internationally and represented them atU-21 level.
^Burton was born inReading,England, but also qualified to representJamaica internationally and made his international debut forJamaica in September 1997.
^Carsley was born inBirmingham,England, but also qualified to represent theRepublic of Ireland internationally through his grandmother and represented them at U-21 and B level before making his international debut forIreland in October 1997.