Pre-Match Pack: Huddersfield Town (H)

Derby County will get their 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship season started on Saturday afternoon when they face Huddersfield Town at Pride Park Stadium.

dcfc.co.uk has gathered all the information you need to know ahead of the game (3pm kick-off).

TICKET NEWS…

The club issued an update to supporters in relation to match tickets on 28th July in the lead-up to the new campaign, which covered Season Tickets and general match ticket details at this time.

Supporters are advised to obtain their ticket(s) as soon as possible and it should be noted that tickets go off sale at 1pm on the day of the game. Fans without a ticket after this point are advised NOT to make the journey to Pride Park Stadium, as they will be unable to gain access.

Derby County Vs Huddersfield Town
Saturday 7th August (3pm kick-off)
Sky Bet Championship (Level B Fixture)

Match Tickets went on sale online only from 10am on Thursday 29th July. However, with the club not being able to guarantee Season Ticket Holders’ their usual seat locations until season tickets go on sale, tickets were prioritised as follows to help supporters secure their preferred seat locations:

* Thursday 29th July – 2020/21 Season Ticket Holders able to access their ‘complimentary’ match ticket

* Friday 30th July – 2020/21 Season Ticket Holders able to access their ‘complimentary’ match ticket; and 2019/20 Season Ticket Holders also able to buy their match ticket with 30% Discount off the General Admission Match Ticket Price and, where appropriate, automatically receive an additional 10% or 20% Discount on the subsequent price based on their Refund & Exchange Policy registered options

* Monday 2nd August – Remaining match tickets on General Sale. However, 2020/21 Season Ticket Holders are still be able to access their ‘complimentary’ match ticket; and 2019/20 Season Ticket Holders can buy their match ticket with 30% Discount off the General Admission Match Ticket Price and, where appropriate, automatically receive an additional 10% or 20% Discount on the subsequent price based on their Refund & Exchange Policy registered options

* Saturday 7th August – Match Tickets will go off sale two hours prior to kick-off

Please click here for the Derby County Vs Huddersfield Town Ticketing FAQS

KEY SUPPORTER INFORMATION…

Following the UK Government’s recent announcement to lift the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, Pride Park Stadium is now operating at full capacity.

For those supporters attending the game, we wish to provide the following guidance and information:

Tickets

* Ticket sales end at 1pm on the day of the game and are only available to buy online. No tickets are available to buy after this point. 2020/21 Season ticket holders are required to process their individual match ticket online in advance of the fixture. Supporters should not turn up without a ticket on the day.

* The Ticket Office counters and phone lines will remain closed until further notice.

* Season Ticket cards are NOT valid for this game.

* All match tickets have been sent via the ‘Print at Home’ or Mobile ticket delivery methods to the email address we have registered to your Fan ID (please check your junk/spam folders) so please ensure that your details are up to date on dcfc.co.uk.

* Supporters that selected the 'Print at Home' delivery option must print their tickets prior to arriving at the stadium on white A4 paper, using black ink only.

* There will be no facility for collecting tickets on matchday.

* It is also possible for supporters that selected the Mobile Ticket delivery option to scan their match ticket on a smartphone device.

* There is no option to upgrade nor downgrade tickets on the day of the game, therefore please make sure you have obtained/purchased the correct age category.

* In line with NHS Test & Trace guidelines, when applying for a ticket, supporters must ensure their personal and contact details are correct and must provide their current telephone number.

* Supporters with any match ticket related enquiries prior to the day of the game are advised to email [email protected]. Disabled supporters with any access enquires are advised to email [email protected].

* Ticketing FAQs for this game can be found here: dcfc.co.uk/page/huddersfield-ticketing...

Stadium Access

* The Ticket Access windows, located on the North Stand, will be open from 1:30pm for supporters having issues gaining entry on their tickets.

* The turnstiles will open at 1:30pm and kick-off is at 3pm. Supporters are encouraged to arrive early to avoid unnecessary queues.

* Matchday staff will be available to assist with any queries and direct supporters to their seats. They will be wearing blue tabards and be located around the stadium.

* Bags must be no larger than 45cm x 30cm x 15cm and are subject to search. There is no on-site storage facility for oversized bags. If you have a medical condition that requires you to bring a bag or other equipment, please email [email protected].

Disabled Supporters

* Disabled supporters who have claimed a complimentary Personal Assistant Ticket will also be required to email [email protected] with the full contact details of their Personal Assistant (full name, address, telephone number) as entry into the stadium will not be permitted until this information has been provided.

Stadium Access

Derby County's COVID-19 Supporters Code of Conduct can be found here: dcfc.co.uk/page/covid-19-supporters-co...

Car Parking

* Car Parking is now SOLD OUT this fixture (Car Park A, which is located directly behind the South Stand). The lead supporter will be placed on our guestlist, and you will be required to give that name on arrival to gain entry. Supporters will not be able to purchase stadium car parking on the day of the game. Supporters that require Accessible Parking are advised to email [email protected] prior to the match.

Supporter Safety

* In the interest of our supporters' safety, we are advising fans to wear a face covering or face visor (covering both their nose and mouth) in the concourses and toilet areas, unless they are consuming refreshments, medically exempt or under the age of 12.

* Although wearing a mask is no longer mandatory, please consider others around you. Please also continue to use the hand sanitising stations around Pride Park Stadium and try and avoid close contact with others where possible. Finally, please always follow the guidance of Stewards.

Refreshments

* A limited menu will be served from the concourse kiosks, including pies, hot dogs, drinks and confectionary. This includes a limited range of hot and cold food plus draught alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages.

* Pride Park Stadium is now a cashless venue, debit/credit cards (excluding AMEX) and contactless payment are accepted.

Other Information

* Prior to kick-off, legendary former Derby County centre-back Roy McFarland will present the 2020/21 Jack Stamps Player of the Season and Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Season awards to Graeme Shinnie and Lee Buchanan respectively. Meanwhile, at half-time there will be members of the NHS Royal Derby Hospital in attendance to be presented with the 2020/21 Brian Clough Award.

* The DCFCMegastore will be open from 9am until 5pm, stocking the new 2021/22 Derby County home kit, trainingwear and many other products.

* For any more information please see the FAQ section on dcfc.co.uk, or simply click here.

TEAM NEWS…

Defenders Curtis Davies and Richard Stearman, plus goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, are set to be included in the matchday squad after signing one-year contracts on Friday.

Left-back Lee Buchanan is a doubt due for the game to injury, as is fellow youngster Kornell McDonald. Meanwhile, while young striker Jack Stretton is still building up his fitness after a spell out of action during pre-season with a minor injury.

Midfielder Jason Knight is out with an ankle injury, sustained in mid-July, which is set to keep him out for between 8-12 weeks.

Polish international midfielder Krystian Bielik, who suffered an ACL knee injury in January, is making good progress in his rehabilitation work but is still not yet in a position to return to full training.

MANAGER'S THOUGHTS…

Manager Wayne Rooney offered his pre-match views to RamsTV on Friday and said: “It is the start of a new season for us.

“We have a few new faces in the building, I would want a few more ideally, but I am happy to have some fresh faces in.

“We have quite a few young lads with us again, who are developing all the time. It is an exciting time for us and we are back at Pride Park.

“It is a challenge, to be at home and with fans back in, so we are all looking forward to it.”

He added: “This is my first game as a manager in a competitive game at Pride Park with supporters, which is great.

The full interview can be viewed in the above video.

PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE…

Manager Wayne Rooney staged his pre-match news conference with the local and national media on Friday afternoon from Moor Farm Training Ground.

MATCH OFFICIALS…

Geoff Eltringham will oversee Saturday's game at Pride Park Stadium.

Eltringham took charge of 30 games during the 2020/21 season, producing a total of 81 yellow cards and five red cards.

His last game at Pride Park was, ironically, was Derby's 2-0 home victory over Huddersfield Town back in February.

He will be assisted by Shaun Hudson and Andrew Fox on the lines, whilst Carl Boyeson has been appointed as the fourth official.

EFL SUBSTITUTE RULES…

The five substitutions rule has been scrapped for the 2021/22 season, the English Football League confirmed in July.

The rule allowing clubs to make five changes, as opposed to the usual three, was brought in following football's restart in June 2020 after a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given that games had to be condensed into a short period of time it was thought beneficial and allowed managers to make as many as five changes in three intervals during a match.

Clubs had a longer post-break between seasons this time around and so the temporary rule has been changed.

Teams will be able to name seven substitutes but only use a maximum of three.

STREAMING INFORMATION…

With COVID-19 capacity restrictions lifted and EFL fixtures being played in front of full crowds once again, the temporary change in streaming rules is no longer valid.

If you can't make the game in person, other options to catch up with the action on the pitch – including live TV, live radio, streaming of selected matches alongside highlights on TV and online of every Sky Bet EFL game.

LIVE TV (DOMESTIC)

In the UK, Sky Sports will show 138 Sky Bet EFL matches, 15 Carabao Cup ties and the Semi Finals and Final of the Papa John’s Trophy.

In the case of Weekend Fixtures, the EFL’s designated kick-off times* for Sky Live Matches are usually scheduled as follows:

* Friday evenings at 7:45pm or 8pm

* Saturdays at 12:30pm; Sundays at 12-noon

Within the Sky contract there are other kick-off times that are available to the broadcaster

In the case of scheduled Midweek Matches, live Sky fixtures will be between 7:30pm and 8pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

RADIO

TalkSPORT offer exclusive live commentaries on national radio across the Sky Bet EFL as well as non-exclusive rights to the Carabao Cup that are shared by the BBC.Both TalkSPORT and the BBC have the ability to broadcast score flash updates across all competitions.BBC Local Radio also have individual commentary deals with selected EFL clubs.

LIVE TV (INTERNATIONAL)

Any match shown live on Sky Sports in the UK is made available overseas via the League’s international broadcast partners.As well as this fixture, a minimum of 36 Championship fixtures taking place on Saturdays at 3pm, will be distributed for international coverage, alongside selected League One and Two fixtures, Carabao Cup ties, and action from across the Sky Bet Play-Offs.

A full list of the EFL’s international broadcast partners are available here:efl.com/iFollow/international-broadcasters/

HIGHLIGHTS

In the UK, Quest will continue to be the home for all highlights of matches in the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup and Papa John’s Trophy, with action from a full weekend schedule of matches broadcast at 9pm on Saturdays, and midweek League highlights and Carabao Cup midweek highlights also screened on applicable weeknights. Internationally, a number of the EFL’s broadcast partners show repeat transmissions and highlights.

STREAMING

In respect of domestic streaming, the EFL will return to the position as was prior to the pandemic when the live broadcast or streaming of any match in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is prohibited between the hours of 2:45pm-5:15pm on Saturday afternoons.

EFL clubs will have the right to live-stream midweek matches on iFollow or Club equivalent service, with Sky Sports also able to stream the same Championship fixtures to subscribers across their Red Button interactive and digital services.

The position in each Sky Bet EFL division is as follows:

CHAMPIONSHIP - DOMESTIC

* All scheduled midweek matches (unless selected as one of Sky Sports Exclusive midweek selections)

* Displaced weekend matches – matches which are moved from Saturday 3pm kick-offs for non-TV purposes (at the discretion of the Home club)

* Bank Holiday matches (at the discretion of the Home club)

CHAMPIONSHIP - INTERNATIONAL

Overseas supporters can watch live all EFL Championship league games provided that they have not been selected for international television broadcast in a territory that has an overseas broadcast partner