‘This Club Is So Special To Me’

Twenty years ago this week, Stefano Eranio went down in the Derby County history books – albeit by default!

The Italian midfielder scored what is officially recorded as the first-ever goal at Pride Park Stadium in a 1-0 victory against Barnsley.

In order to hold that feat, the 1997 summer signing from AC Milan had to have a slice of luck along the way on two occasions.

First of all, what was meant to be the first competitive game at Pride Park, against Wimbledon on 13th August 1997, was abandoned due to a floodlight failure.

Derby were 2-1 up at the time with Ashley Ward scoring the opener and, at the time, appearing to hold the title of the first goalscorer at the Rams’ new home.

Eranio scored Derby’s second goal that night before the lights went out and, despite the Rams’ best efforts, the game was called off and erased from history.

On 30th August, against Barnsley, Eranio needed another stroke of luck on his way to holding his place in history.

With the scoreline locked at 0-0, Derby were awarded a penalty.

Francesco Baiano had his spot-kick saved by Lars Leese but, after the goalkeeper was adjudged to have moved off of his line before the referee blew his whistle.

Instead of taking the penalty again, Eranio was handed the responsibility – and he made no mistake from 12 yards as he fired the ball home.

So, after a long wait, the man to score the first-ever goal at Pride Park was confirmed.

He told RamsTV: “I scored the first goal here and I remember the game against Wimbledon that got abandoned.

“Ashley Ward scored the first goal and I also got one too; but the lights went off and the game was suspended.

“It’s funny that I got that first goal, against Barnsley, as Francesco Baiano missed the first penalty and the Referee gave a re-take and I scored.

“I am happy that I have this moment in history to my name.”

Eranio was a cult hero during his time with the Rams as he starred in the Premiership.

He made 108 appearances between 1997 and 2001 and now, at the age of 48, he misses the special moments he enjoyed with the club.

One thing is for sure, Derby County holds a special place in his heart.

“I miss this stadium, this pitch and Derby; I had five fantastic years here,” he said.

“The supporters and stadium were, and are, fantastic so this club is so special to me.”

Recalling the early stages of his time with Derby, he admits the Rams’ style of play didn’t suit his game.

Eranio says he held lengthy discussions with then manager Jim Smith in order to find a way to get the best out of him.

The signing of his good friend Francesco Baiano was, clearly, key for Eranio and the pair produced some impressive displays in the opening years at Pride Park.

He recalled: “I remember when I first came here the style of the game wasn’t so good.

“I spoke to the manager and I remember the ball was in the air all the time. I said I couldn’t help if the ball was always over my head!

“Things became better, we improved our style and we signed Francesco Baiano and he was my big friend.

“The spine of the team of Mart Poom, Igor Stimac and Paulo Wanchope was very, very good.”

Eranio admits he hoped Derby could kick on in the late 1990s, but conceded it was a step too far at that time.

He added: “We had some great names but maybe we could have reached a better position if we had improved even further at that time.

“The resources, though, of Manchester United and Arsenal was so great and it was hard; I understand that.”

Eranio’s final words of this interview were reserved for the man that brought him to England, Jim Smith.

When Smith parted company with Derby in 2001, Eranio left soon afterwards due his close relationship with the Bald Eagle.

He said: “Jim for me was a second father.

“When he left, I did too. We were so close and the feeling was so good that it would have been difficult to stay without him.”