‘It Was One Of The Proudest Moments Of My Career’

Today marks 11 years to the day that Derby County were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs.

For any footballer, opening your goalscoring account for a new club must be one of the best feelings.

Now, imagine putting the ball into the net for the first time in front of a packed-out Wembley Stadium in the Championship Play-Off final.

Stephen Pearson’s first goal for Derby County against West Bromwich Albion took the Rams to the Premier League for the first time since their relegation from the top-flight in 2002.

A January 2007 signing, the Scottish midfielder returned recently to watch his old club in action – instantly being met former friends, colleagues and memories.“I have fond memories. It’s a great stadium and I had a lot of good memories here,” he said.

“I remember it very fondly – coming here and signing and then playing my first game, we got a late winner against Sheffield Wednesday, David Jones scored.

“I always look back at my time here as a successful one.

“There was talk of interest in the summer but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen, I don’t think Celtic were keen on letting me go.

“I got to the stage where I felt that I had to be playing more regular football, so I was delighted that it got done and it was a great move for me.”

That 1-0 victory against the Owls was the third in a run of seven successive wins from December through to February.

He went on to start five of the next six games but then he was sidelined until April, only to return for the penultimate home game of the season against Luton Town – another 1-0 success.

Pearson feels that the manner of those victories were an indication of the key qualities within that squad.

He explained: “We had an incredible team spirit, but we probably weren’t the most talented team as individuals.

“We had a real work-ethic and a real hunger and determination to leave everything out there on the pitch, and that goes a long way.

“Once automatic promotion was out of our reach, the play-offs were our focus and we knew that we were a match for any team on our day.

“We were quietly confident in our own ability, but most pundits wouldn’t have had us as favourites to go up, which gave us motivation and it was a great team to be a part of.

“We dug in when our backs are against the wall, it’s all well and good to win 3-0 or 4-0, but grinding out a 1-0 away from home is just as satisfying.”

That’s exactly what Billy Davies’ side did on that day at Wembley. With West Brom in control of the contest, Derby broke forward before Pearson displayed the crucial clinical edge that ultimately took his team into the top flight.

Unsurprisingly, Pearson ranks that moment as one of his best in football.

He said: “I couldn’t miss! We broke away and Giles Barnes played it across goal.

“It was great to score a goal of that magnitude at Wembley but to get promoted was the reason that I came here and I was delighted to achieve that.

“We had a break and I remember running from inside my own half. Craig Fagan won a tackle and Steve Howard played it to Barnsey.

“It was all about the determination to get into the box and luckily it fell for me.

“It was lovely to score the goal that secured promotion.

“I just ran into the corner with sheer relief. It was a good West Brom side with very talented individuals, and they were probably favourites.

“We dug in, defended together and we got our rewards.

“It was one of the proudest moments of my career, at the time you take things for granted but when you look back, you see how much it meant to so many people.”