Derby County are finally back in the second tier of English football after two years away, but it would seem they have a long way to go before they can compete with Leeds United, at least according to former Rams star, Jayden Bogle.
The past few years have been quite the rollercoaster ride for Derby County, from play-off heartbreak, to financial issues nearly causing the extinction of the football club, and relegation to League One.
Paul Warne has guided the Rams back to the Championship now, and is doing a fairly good job of steadying the ship.
But, David Clowes is taking a ‘different’ approach to securing success for the long-term as Derby County’s owner, and fans may have to be patient before they see the Rams mix it with the big boys of the league again.
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Jayden Bogle says Leeds United are bigger than Derby County
There are plenty of big clubs in the Championship right now, including Leeds United, Derby County, both Sheffield clubs, Sunderland, and Blackburn Rovers, who all have quite the footballing legacies.
But, former Derby County player Jayden Bogle, now at Leeds, has been asked about the clubs he’s represented and was pushed to pick the biggest. Unfortunately, his answer will not please Derby fans.
He told the No Behaviour podcast: “Leeds is a big club. Yeah [they’re the biggest club I’ve played for]. You feel it straight away.
“Straight away. The atmosphere, you pull up to the ground, you can just sense it. It’s got a winning feeling to it, like the club wants to win and knows how to win. It’s pressure, but it’s good. Need that pressure.”
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Derby County have a rich footballing history
To be fair to Bogle, Leeds United have definitely been the bigger and better of the two clubs in the last 15 years or so. And, historically, the Yorkshire side have the edge when it comes to silverware won, too.
Leeds have won nine major trophies, including three league titles, a couple of European honours, and two domestic cups. Derby are lower in the list when it comes to success, with four major trophies, including two league titles, but crucially, they have no European titles to their name.
Derby won the English First Division in 1971/72 and 1974/75 and the FA Cup in 1946. Suffice to say, it’s been a long wait for more silverware for the Rams.
| Championship club | Major honours won |
|---|---|
| Blackburn Rovers | 12 |
| Sunderland | 10 |
| Leeds United | 9 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 9 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 8 |
| Sheffield United | 5 |
| Portsmouth | 5 |
| Burnley | 5 |
| Preston North End | 4 |
| Derby County | 4 |
Still, Derby County have been a consistent presence in the top flight of the English game in the past, have a huge fanbase, and Pride Park has always been a well-respected venue within the sport.
However, the disastrous Derby County team of 2007/08, which set the record for lowest-points tally in the Premier League, will always be a major blemish on the Rams legacy.