On this day in 2006, 2nd June, Derby County appointed Billy Davies as their new manager.


The Scotsman, following spells in charge of Motherwell and Preston North End, took over the reigns at Pride Park Stadium after a disappointing 2005/06 campaign.

Davies went on to achieve promotion to the Premier League in his only full season in charge, 2006/07, via the play-offs in a season many expected to be one of consolidation.

While an ill-fated campaign in the top-flight followed, and his departure before 2007 was out, he remains the last manager to guide the Rams to the top tier.


Two spells in the hotseat across the East Midlands at the Rams’ local rivals Nottingham Forest subsequently followed his time at Derby and, since 2014, he hasn’t returned to management.

Back in late 2017, ten years on from his departure, Davies sat down with RamsTV to look back on Derby’s promotion season in 2006/07.

Want to take a look more episodes of the RamsTV Meets series? Click Here to take a look at the episode list.