HIGHLIGHTS
- Derby County secure Championship promotion with a 2-0 victory over Carlisle United last weekend.
- Midfielder Louie Sibley plays a crucial role for Rams, earning the nickname “Mr Derby County” from Cashin.
- Rams avoid playoffs, focus on Championship preparations after finishing League One season in second place.
Eiran Cashin has dubbed Louie Sibley “Mr Derby County” following the club’s promotion to the Championship.
The Rams earned their place back in the second tier last weekend with a 2-0 win over Carlisle United.
Goals from Max Bird and James Collins sealed second place in the League One table, finishing five points clear of third place Bolton Wanderers.
Paul Warne’s side clinched promotion at the second time of asking, having finished seventh in the table last year.
Planning is now underway for life back in the Championship, where the Rams will be hoping to maintain their status beyond the next 12 months.
Eiran Cashin sends Louie Sibley promotion message
Sibley posted a celebratory message to supporters on social media following their promotion confirmation last Saturday.
The 22-year-old highlighted the ups and downs the club has gone through in the last few years ahead of their Championship return.
“The Rams are going up OLE’ OLE’,” wrote Sibley, via Instagram.
“What a feeling!! What a journey it has been, going through the bad times and good times together over the recent years and now everyone celebrating PROMOTION!!!
“Such a special club!!
“An Unbelievable day for everyone involved. UP THE RAMSSSSS!!!”
Sibley came through the academy system at Derby and cemented himself as a first team regular during the 2019-20 campaign.
Cashin has responded to his celebratory message, dubbing the youngster as “Mr Derby County.”
| Louie Sibley – Derby County league goals and appearances (per Fbref.com) | ||||
| Season | Appearances (Starts) | Goals (Assists) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 11 (9) | 5 (2) | ||
| 2020-21 | 30 (10) | 1 (0) | ||
| 2021-22 | 26 (11) | 1 (0) | ||
| 2022-23 | 42 (26) | 3 (1) | ||
| 2023-24 | 38 (23) | 4 (3) | ||
Sibley featured 38 times in the League One season, including 23 starts, and contributed four goals and three assists (all stats from Fbref).
He has been an important part of the team in recent seasons, becoming a regular presence in the side since graduating from the club’s academy system.
The midfielder will now be hoping to impress in the second division, where Derby are making their return after two seasons in the third tier.
The end of the League One season
The regular League One campaign came to an end on the weekend, confirming Derby and Portsmouth as the two sides to gain automatic promotion to the Championship.
Bolton Wanderers finished five points adrift of the top two in third and will now face sixth-place Barnsley in one of the play-off semi-finals.
Peterborough United will compete against Oxford United in the other semi-final, with the two winners set to face off at Wembley Stadium for the third promotion place.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, Cheltenham Town, Fleetwood Town, Port Vale, and Carlisle all suffered relegation to League Two.
Warne pressure feels a long time ago
Warne was under pressure during the early stages of the season to turn around results or else he could be replaced.
But that now seems like a long time ago, as the team enjoyed a very impressive second half of the campaign to earn second place.
Avoiding the play-offs was huge, as it allowed the club to start planning for life in the Championship straight away.
It remains to be seen just how much Derby will be able to spend this summer, but the Rams will want to make a couple of additions in order to prepare for the step up in quality the second division provides.
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