It finally happened. The man who has been linked with more moves out of Derby than a local removalist has finally found a new home. Question is…will we miss him?

In my mind every club needs a big strong centre forward on their books. One who can win balls in the air, hold them up at his feet and provide a presence at the top of whatever formation you are playing.

In the Rams more recent history the likes of Wanchope, Strupar and Howard had all of these attributes with varying degrees of success. Hulse fits in well with these players as like them he could be as talented as he could be frustrating.

Rob Hulse was either switched on or off as some days it seemed like he just walked through games not really being part of the action. While being beaten by defenders who possessed only half of his enormous talent he would more often than not foul his opponent regularly rather than beating them with skill.

On the other days when he was switched on, Hulse was the undisputable king of his box. Winning the ball with ease in the air and on the ground at his feet, while knocking everything that came his way towards goal, causing mayhem for opposition defenders.

Some of the sublime goals he scored with head and foot seemed like they were never in doubt such was his coolness and ability when in the mood. His final goal for the Rams on opening day this season against ‘The Damned United’ was a perfect example. Charging into goal on what looked a seemingly difficult angle was never a problem for Rob as he steadied and slotted home with style.

That’s the Rob Hulse I want to remember.

It’s funny that when you look back on him joining the club it seems like it happened a lot longer ago than July of 2008. In case you have forgotten, I’ll walk down memory lane with you.

Rob Hulse signed from Sheffield United after scoring no goals for the Blades in 24 matches that season although he had been their top scorer in the 06/07 Premiership with 8 goals.

He had the unenviable task of becoming the new Steve Howard for the Rams who had become a fan favourite before being underused and unceremoniously dumped during the ill-fated Premiership campaign.

Hulse’s signature was worth just less than 2 million pounds and he scored on debut in a friendly for the Rams Mansfield Town. He made his competitive debut in a 1–0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers on the opening day of the 08–09 season and his first league goal ironically came in the 2–1 victory over Sheffield United.

Hulse was awarded the Championship Player of the Month in October of 2008 when he hit four goals in five games. And his goal against Charlton was his most important for the club when it secured Derby’s Championship survival in the final home game of the season.

Rob won the ‘Derby County Supporters Player of the Year’ award in the same season and was by far the best of the Rams attacking options winning the Players 'Player of the Year Trophy’ and finished the season as the club's top goal scorer, with 15 league goals and 3 in the Rams FA Cup run.

His success for the Rams triggered interest from all over the football world and it seemed every other day Middlesbrough were signing the Derby hit man but every other day after that, they weren’t.

It is believed that Derby accepted a £4m offer for Hulse on the final day of the 2009 summer Transfer Window from Boro but Hulse decided the move was not for him and explained he was happy at Derby and did not want to move.

This decision rather than being a step up to bigger things for Hulse and Derby seemed to trigger bad luck for both he and the club as he picked up early season injuries which kept him off the scoresheet until November of 09.

His 100th League Career goal was scored with a 90th minute penalty in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday and earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week. And he seemed to be getting back to his best when he scored in the Rams 2-1 win over Coventry followed by his 8th for the season against Reading in late November.

Sadly injury and a loss of form found him either out of the team or on the bench as he was unable to find the net for over two months.

Again he was linked with moves away from the club with Boro, Wolves, Burnley and Stoke all linked to the striker for around £3m. In the end offers from Burnley and Stoke were rejected and Hulse returned to the Rams line up in January and instantly re-gained the love of fans with a 78th minute winner against Forest.

Hulse was back and definitely switched on and found 3 more goals in his next 3 matches. His return to fitness alongside partner Kris Commons was proving to be what the Rams had been missing all season when Derby put the leagues high flyers to the word with impressive wins over the 19 game unbeaten Forest, league leaders Newcastle United and a pulsating 5 -3 win over Preston North End.

Hulse had reached double figures for the season but injuries once again hit and only managed another 2 goals before a season ending operation left him on 12 for the season. This was still enough to once again make him the Rams top scorer for a second consecutive campaign.

As the 10/11 season began more rumours abounded the Hulse was on his way out. In the last year of his current deal as one of the clubs top wage earners, cost cutting at DCFC was probably his greatest enemy.

Burnley, Q.P.R and Leeds all showed interest as did recently promoted Blackpool and although Tom Glick denied any need to sell the player, it seemed once again his days were numbered.

Hulse was ready to go and looking dangerous again when he scored in a pre-season 1-1 draw with Southend United and in the season opener against Leeds United in his former clubs return to the Championship.

Cardiff City showed interest but stated they would not be able to afford Hulse (and then came Bellamy, go figure!) until Queens Park Rangers finally made an offer which was accepted on the final day of the transfer window.

The paperwork for the transfer took 3 days to be approved by the league, making for a nervous time for all involved. August 31st 2010 will be remembered as the date Rob Hulse finally left Derby County and joined their Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.

Fans have been divided about the loss of Rob as without a ready made replacement in the ‘big man’ department, many believe it leaves Derby short (pardon the pun). That coupled with the fact the fee for his transfer is ‘undisclosed’ making many wary that once again sold a valuable asset for very little, although Tom Glick has strenuously denied that this is the case.

Clough and co. have stated reinforcements are on the way when the loan window opens but that in itself has riled many supporters not enamoured with the reliance on loan players.

Despite being dogged by rumours of transfers since he walked in the front door and dealt with injury and personal issues, he leaves behind a bag of goals and more positives than negatives from his time at Derby.

Hopefully when history assesses his contribution to DCFC it focuses more on his talents and well taken goals, having scored some very important ones in what was a difficult period for the club.

From all of us at RamZone and the lion’s share of Derby fans, we wish Rob all the best for the future and may the goals keep coming... unless you’re playing us!

Click on the link below to re-live the goal that guarantees no Rams fan will ever forget Rob Hulse.

That Goal!

Daniel J Sewart

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