A real valiant effort from the Rams
Derby County have been officially relegated from the Championship following a 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Easter Monday.
Luke Amos’ 88th minute strike at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium secured the win and condemned the Rams to the news that they will be playing in the third tier for the first time since the 1985-86 season.
Derby did look like they would be given an extra week to fight for survival, however Reading were able to come back from 4-1 down to salvage a 4-4 draw with Swansea City.
Despite failing to stay up, Wayne Rooney’s side can still hold their head up high knowing they took until the 43rd game week of the season to lose the battle to avoid the drop.
Derby were hit with a 21-point deduction this season
The Rams were deducted 21 points for numerous off-field problems financially and are currently in the process of trying to find a new owner, with their future still in the balance.
Had Derby not received a points deduction, they would currently be 17th in the Championship with a tally of 52 points.
An upturn in form at the turn of the year gave Rooney and his players genuine hope they would stay up and at one stage were within touching distance of survival.
However injuries and off-pitch distractions, as well as Reading’s resurgence in form, put a dent in the Rams’ hopes of staying up and they have now been consigned to League One football.
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