It has been over three years since Derby County were plunged into administration when former owner Mel Morris handed in the keys and moved on.
With it came some of the darkest days in the club’s history, with questions over whether it would survive to play another season at Pride Park.
Every element of the club was impacted, from players not knowing if they were staying or leaving, to staff behind the scenes uncertain that they would be receiving their paycheck each month.
It was a difficult time that was thankfully ended by David Clowes, who brought Derby out of administration after nine months.
Since then, the Rams have moved from strength to strength as they look to banish the dark days in the hope of a brighter future.
Plenty of those years to come will depend on the academy, which was one of those areas gutted over the administration period.
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Derby County academy thriving after administration
The administration period saw several talented Derby youngsters shipped off for profit to ensure that the club could stay afloat.
Given the hard work of the staff at the academy, there was certain to be frustration over the situation which set them back years.
However, it’s clear that things have rebounded well for the coaches at Moor Farm, who are helping in that rebuild behind the scenes.
The under-18s are a good example of this, sitting top of the under-18s Premier League North, picking up six wins and one draw from their opening seven games.
The most recent victory came against rivals Leeds, where the Rams ran out 6-0 winners by the end of the match.
Centre-forward Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu grabbed four goals in the game – taking his tally to ten for the season.
Owen Eames, an attacking midfielder, picked up a brace that tallied up his fifth and sixth goals of the campaign.
In all, it shows the rebound from the lower age groups, while the under-21s are still on a journey to improve.
They are on six points after six games in the Premier League 2, though Jake Buxton has already developed some stars out on loan.
Ben Radcliffe, Darren Robinson, Tony Weston, Daniel Cox, Riley Moloney and Ryan Bartley are all out on loan to pick up some senior team experience.
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Dajaune Brown the next Derby County academy success lined up
The success of the academy runs through the team in recent years as the likes of Eiran Cashin, Liam Thompson, Max Bird, Louie Sibley and Jason Knight have all made their mark.
There is a feeling, however, that there’s much more to come and that extends to young striker Dajaune Brown.
The forward has found himself regularly in the Championship squad this season, following on from his successful loan at Gateshead in the second half of last season.
A contract extension has sealed his place at Derby for the future, but there is still work to do to cement his place in the first team.
Brown is currently competing with Jerry Yates and James Collins for a spot in the setup, who will be tough to knock out of the way.
The 19-year-old still has a long way to go, but there is a clear path for success at Pride Park awaiting for him to grab with both hands.