by Peter Scherer

Although Jason Kavanagh came through his apprenticeship at Derby County, he began playing as a schoolboy with Birmingham City.

The pacey defender made his league debut in 1988 and was part of the Rams team that were relegated from Division One in 1991.

Injuries to regular first teamers began to give Kavanagh a regular place in the team and he played his part in the promotion season of 1995/6 back to the Premier League.

But he was unable to hold down a place in the starting line-up and went on loan to Wycombe Wanderers in 1996. But after 96 games and one goal in a Rams shirt, the stay became a permanent one for a £25,000 fee.

He had three seasons at Wycombe and helped them successfully fight off a threat of relegation, but after another 89 games and one goal, he moved onto Second Division Stoke City.

It was only a short stay in the Potteries as he then moved to Cambridge United after only eight games. He went through another relegation battle successfully, but only made 19 appearances, before his full time career ended and he moved again to Burton Albion, then in the Northern Premier League.

He was in the Brewers side that won the league title and had three seasons of action with them, scoring seven goals from his 89 games.

But at the end of 2003 season he ended his playing career. 

Jason also had representative honours for England at Youth level.

by Peter Scherer

Two promotions in his first two years and player of the year in his first, got Ross Maclaren’s career at Derby County off to a magnificent start.

After a junior spell with Glasgow Rangers, Ross came to England with Shrewsbury Town. He had four seasons at Gay Meadow and during this time he proved able to play in defence or midfield.

161 games and 18 goals later he came to the Baseball Ground and was part of Arthur Cox’s promotion winning team from Division Three to two and to Division One the following year.

He went two seasons without missing a game but in the First Division he was unable to retain a regular place, despite proving capable in a number of positions.

After 122 matches and four goals he left for Swindon Town for £165,000 and played under both Lou Macari and Ossie Ardiles for the Robins.

His dependency again made him a first choice, with the highlight being his appearance at Wembley, when Swindon beat Leicester City for a place in the Premiership.

Loyal service and dependency over five years earned him the captaincy, but having avoided injury for most of his career, he was out of action for a whole year.

He came back but it was a re-occurrence of the injury that ended his playing days in 1994.

Although not a manager in his own right, he has been in charge of Swindon Reserves, Southend United Youth and been assistant at both Derby and Notts County.

by Peter Scherer

It isn’t just ex Derby County players joining the Mickleover Sports NHS Charity match, there’s an ex Sports player Captain coming along too.

Corin Holness was Sports captain having had a long spell at Station Road in the early 2000’s. A defender, he started out as a Derby County junior, but seen service at a number of local clubs, either side of his lengthy Sports service. He was rewarded with his own benefit match back in 2007 at Pride Park.

He has played for Belper Town, Burton Albion and Alfreton Town and is still active in the Derby Taverners League as joint player manager of Willington Town.

by Peter Scherer

Having travelled almost the length and breadth of the country in his career, Adam Murray was another whose career started in Derby County’s youth team.

After debuting in the Rams first team in April 1999, the midfielder became well established for a couple of seasons, before losing favour in 2002, during the final spell in the Premiership.

He went out on loan to Mansfield Town and help them win promotion to Division Two in 2002 with seven goals in 13 appearances.

But he was unable to force his way back into the Rams side and had another loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers, before playing on a non-contract basis for Solihull Borough, Notts County and Burton Albion while he dealt with personal problems.

He played 54 games for Derby County, but eased his way back into his career with Kidderminster Harriers in 2004, before rejoining Mansfield later that year.

32 games and five goals later he moved to Carlisle United and had a season there, before moving to Torquay United and Macclesfield Town in 2007/8.

After one season he moved to Oxford United where he became club captain, making 87 appearances with 11 goals. But after losing his place due to injury during their promotion season, he moved to Luton Town in the Conference in 2010.

A loan spell back at Mansfield became a permanent move, playing 115 games for the Stags and scoring 10 goals. He also became caretaker manager, which for a while he did jointly as well as being club captain. When his manager’s position became permanent he was the youngest in the league.

As well as briefly coming out of retirement to play for Sutton Coldfield Town, he has also managed at Boston United and became Barnsley’s caretaker in late 2019 and is currently first team coach with the Yorkshire club.

by Peter Scherer

Gary Rowett is probably better qualified than anyone to play in Mickleover Sports All Stars NHS Charity match, having played for and managed both Derby County and Burton Albion.

He started at Cambridge United, where as a product of their youth scheme, the more than capable right back made his league debut in 1991 and rose as high as Division Two, before leaving after 63 games and nine goals.

Mike Walker took him to Everton for £200,000 but he was unable to establish in their first team and he only played four games, plus a loan spell at Blackpool, before Jim Smith brought him to Derby, as part of the Craig Short deal in 1995.

Three seasons were spent at Derby in the Premiership, before he went down to the Championship with Birmingham City, after 105 Rams appearances.

He got to the play-offs with Birmingham, but after two years and 87 games he moved on to Leicester City for another two years, back in the Premiership.

Joining Charlton Athletic in 2002 his games became more restricted by a persistent knee injury, and he left after 13 appearances in a two year stay.

His final move as a player was to Burton Albion, where he had another two reign with 43 games under his belt and it was at Burton two years further on that his managerial career began.

Starting as assistant to Paul Peschisolido, he became the man in charge in 2012, before re-visiting the clubs from his playing days, at Derby and Birmingham.

His success at Pride Park was paying off, but he left to join Stoke City in May 2018, but lasted only eight months and now manages Rams Championship rivals Millwall.

by Peter Scherer

One of the stars of the 1986/87 Division Two Championship winning team, Nigel Callaghan had most of his success early in his career.

He was part of Graham Taylor’s successful Watford side, after making his debut as a 17 year old in in 1980. They won promotion to the First Division, he was a regular in the team, playing a starring role with the likes of John Barnes and Luther Blissett.

Runners-up in League Division One was followed by his part in the 1984 FA Cup final, before leaving Vicarage Road after 221 games and 41 goals in 1987, joining Arthur Cox’s promotion push at Derby County for £140,000.

They won the Second Division title and Callaghan’s flair on the right wing gave him a regular place in the Rams Division One team.

He played 76 times and scored 10 goals before moving to Aston Villa in 1989 for £500,000.

After helping Villa avoid relegation, he had three loan spells at Huddersfield and back at both Watford and Derby, before being released in 1992.

Still only 30 years of age Nigel spent some time playing and coaching for Hellenic in South Africa as well as non- league UK football with Stafford Rangers and locally at Borrowash Victoria.

He played nine times for England under 21’s and once for England B, but retired from the game completely in 1992.

Ill-health prompted Nigel’s own benefit match, which brought together teams of ex Derby v ex Watford at Pride Park, after he had worked in Greece as a DJ.

Mickleover Sports Club are happy to announce the re-signing Andrew Wright for the upcoming 2020/21 season.

I am buzzing to have re-signed again for a further year, I knew as soon as we spoke about it, it’s the right thing for me to do! The clubs been great with me since I arrived from the Gaffa, lads and to all the people behind the scenes! Looking forward to getting started as soon as we can.

Andrew Wright

I am absolutely delighted to get Wrighty re-signed again for the upcoming season. He’s a fantastic footballer, an excellent competitor with a winning mentality and an unbelievable character to have at the football club. With a full pre season under his belt I am expecting a massive impact and contribution from him.

John McGrath, First Team Manager

by Peter Scherer

There was no academy or youth team development for Phil Gee, he was working as a painter and decorator and playing part time for Gresley Rovers when his goal scoring talent was spotted and he was recommended to Derby County.

He had scored six goals in his five games at Gresley when he came to the Baseball ground with Arthur Cox in 1985.

His goal scoring record in Derby Reserves Central League team was outstanding, 31 in 28 games. It earned him a first team debut in the team that won promotion from the then third Division.

The following year he became a regular member of the first team and the Second Division title followed.

It was harder to find the scoring touch in the First Division, but he remained a valued member of the squad until 1985, when 124 games and 26 goals later he went to Leicester City as part of the deal bringing Paul Kitson to Derby.

He had four years at Leicester and had the honour of scoring the goal that gave them their first ever Premiership point. 

During his Leicester stay he also had a brief loan spell at Plymouth Argyle, but in 1996 he left after scoring nine goals in his 53 appearances.

Spells at Hednesford Town and Shepshed Dynamo preceded his retirement in 1998. But he still plays for Derby County Masters and will be in action at the Mickleover Sports NHS Allstars Charity Match.

by Peter Scherer

Locally based businesses Owzat Cricket and JKE Security have both pledged their support for Mickleover Sports Charity match for the NHS, by agreeing to be joint sponsors.

Andy Mitchell’s company based at South Normanton are one of the biggest suppliers of cricket equipment, whether it’s the kit to play in or the bats, balls whatever, they can supply from top manufacturers online and normally in their showroom too.

JKE chief Dan Mather can look after all things Security. His Ashbourne Road, Mackworth based company are suppliers of intruder alarms, fire alarms, CCTV and all the ad ons to keep you safe and secure.

They have kindly agreed to be joint sponsors, donating £2000 between them

confirmed Sports Chairman Don Amott.

by Peter Scherer

For Adam Bolder  his will be a chance to re-unite himself with Sports manager John McGrath, his former Burton Albion midfield partner, when he joins the All-star ex Rams cast for the NHS Charity match.

Originally from Hull Bolder started his career with his home team, making his league debut with one appearance in 1999. He only played another 19 matches before Jim Smith picked him up and brought him to Derby.

Initially he was a fringe player and it was a year before he made his Rams debut. But through numerous managerial changes he stayed for seven years playing 166 games and scoring 11 goals, having matured into a dependable and skilful midfielder.

He was still only 26 when he moved to QPR in 2006, joining one of his ex Derby managers John Gregory. He helped them avoid relegation, but had only played 40 games when he was on the move again.

He had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall, making the latter permanent. After one season which included a loan spell at Bradford City, he joined Burton Albion, then in League Two.

Apart from his spell at Derby, Burton was his longest stop. A couple of seasons and 81 games later, he had scored four times before dropping to the Conference North with Harrogate Town.

Two years later it was North Ferriby United for two seasons, followed by Scarborough Athletic, before rejoining North Ferriby again in 20017 where his brother Chris later became manager.