3/1 To Win
The 2018/19 season was a historic campaign for the Derby County Under-18s, but it was no overnight success. The Rams’ crowning as the champions of England was an accumulation of a decade of hard-work, learning and building.
The young Rams capped of a tremendous season in style, lifting the Under-18s Premier League trophy at Pride Park Stadium after a 5-2 victory over Arsenal.
Justin Walker’s side put on a phenomenal display in front of fans, first-team staff and players and Executive Chairman Mel Morris CBE, who has been committed to the progression of youth development at the club. Walker believes that victory showcased the tremendous work that has been put in over the years.
The Academy, under the leadership of Academy Director Darren Wassall, has propelled to be one of the best in the county, week-in-week-out testing themselves against Premier League giants such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool after achieving Category One status in 2014 and retaining it ever since.
Reflecting on the title, Walker said: “It’s starting to sink in it was an incredible night for everyone involved at the club when we defeated Arsenal a few weeks ago.
“It epitomised the last ten years of hard work to gradually improve and move forward as an Academy.
“If you had spoken to me in pre-season when we played Rangers at St George’s Park and lost 4-0 I think you’d have been laughed out of the building for talking about winning trophies.
“The lads have got their heads down, worked hard and been focused on what they are here for.
“There’s a fantastic feel and culture at the Training Ground and the lads have been exposed to different challenges along the way.”
The season was in no way plain sailing for the youngsters and the strength of their character was praised throughout the campaign by Walker.
The Rams had a target on their back for the majority of the season after a 10-game winning run in the Premier League North began in October to put them in the driving seat in the league.
That record came under-pressure on numerous occasions, but Derby were able to withstand it, holding their nerve to grab all three points in the final minutes in a comeback against Stoke City, before stealing the top spot in the table with a crucial win over Liverpool which they held for the remainder of the season.
Outside of the league there was cup heartbreak as the youngsters lost out to Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup Semi-Final in extra-time, despite dominating the game and fell to Man City in fiery encounter in the FA Youth Cup Fifth Round.
At the time, Walker said he was proud of how his team bounced back from those set backs and the bond between the group.
A group with the likes of Louie Sibley, Morgan Whittaker, Tyree Wilson Callum Minkley and Archie Brown who have grown together at Derby County since they were nine or ten-years-old.
Walker continued: “A lot of the lads have been here for nine or ten years and for the setbacks they’ve had along the way it’s nice to see them come out the other side.
“During the tough moments, and we’ve had a few this season, you learn a lot about the individuals in the dressing room.
“Ultimately, this group have hugely gone along with the line we use that ‘talent alone is not enough’. There’s some exciting talent in the dressing room but the characters, spirit and fight amongst them is so evident.
“I was more proud that all those things we talked about regarding this group was there for everyone to see against Arsenal for themselves.”
Their success this season will be further rewarded next season with their qualification into the UEFA Youth League where they can test themselves against the best in Europe. Format Explained here.
Walker is now hoping the players can now take the experiences of the last campaign to edge closer to the ultimate goal of playing first-team football.
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of work to do,” he admitted. “The end game for them is to have a career and we have to see past the euphoria of winning the league. Already, we are planning ahead and looking at what the next 12-18 months looks like for the players.
“We should enjoy the moment and now these players have a chance to test themselves in the Youth League. So not only domestically can we test ourselves, but in Europe.
“It’s exciting planning for next year as we will be involved in various competitions. It’s new waters for this group and it exposes the players who are getting closer to the ‘sharp end’ a different challenge and motivation.”
