Derby County will be celebrating the life of former manager Jim Smith ahead of Saturday’s home game against Millwall (3pm kick-off).
Smith, who was the Rams’ boss between 1995 and 2001, sadly passed away on Tuesday of this week at the age of 79.
The popular former manager guided Derby to automatic promotion to the top-flight in the 1995/96 season and established them amongst the country’s elite whilst also overseeing the transition from the Baseball Ground to Pride Park Stadium in the late 1990s.
The club staged a minute’s applause ahead of Wednesday’s home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday in memory of Smith, but will be paying a full tribute ahead of the clash with the Lions.
The Ram, Derby’s official matchday programme, will proudly feature Smith on the cover and there also eight pages of the latest edition dedicated to the Bald Eagle and his achievements with the club. Copies will be available in and around the stadium, priced at £3.
A minute’s applause will be staged ahead of kick-off with several of Smith’s former players and colleagues are set to be in attendance, while a wreath is due to be laid in his memory in the centre circle before kick-off.
Darryl Powell, Deon Burton, Darren Wassall, Christian Dailly, Rob Kozluk, Chris Powell, Matt Carbon, Steve McClaren and Paul Simpson are confirmed attendees for the game, while Millwall are managed by another of Smith’s former players in Gary Rowett.
Derby County’s Executive Chairman Mel Morris CBE and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pearce will join the former players and staff members in the laying of the wreath.
Finally, prior to kick-off, a video remembering Smith will be played on the Big Screen for supporters to look back fondly on one of the most successful periods of Derby County’s long and distinguished history.
Details of how to join us for Saturday’s game can be found by clicking here.