Once upon a time unveiling the fixture list was one of the most highly anticipated events for a football fan. Whether or not in this modern world that excitement has dulled – there is still something special about seeing what lays ahead for the Rams.
In an age of instant information through the internet and social media – the speed in which the latest news gets to us - can sometimes make anticipation and information less exciting with far less impact than days gone by.
Times past when we had to huddle around the radio or wait till the morning paper hit the stands for the information you are hungry for are gone. Despite this - the release of the fixture list still holds significance as it signals the countdown to the new season has well and truly begun.
Yesterday the news of the Rams opening day clash against Blackburn Rovers was released and today the complete fixture list was published for football fans to devour and dissect.
The matches that will be focussed on first by Rams fans is our trip to Forest in late September with the return bout at home in March. Two matches that will not just re-ignite the passionate rivalry between teams but the added spice of Billy Davies once again returning to Pride Park at the helm of the enemy (that’s if he hasn’t again spat the dummy!!).
Personally the next fixtures I sought were those against ‘The Damned United’ in October at home with a final day showdown at the dirty ground on May 3rd. If the last day of the season requires a result – then perhaps given recent history – we could find no better place for it to take place.
But enough of what I think – below is the full fixture list for the 2013/14 campaign for your perusal. Time to pick apart, plan, look forward and dream as the Rams head towards what hopefully will be the making of a promising young team under manager Nigel Clough.
Derby County 2013-14 Fixture List:
Saturday, August 3
Blackburn Rovers (H)
Saturday, August 10
Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Saturday, August 17
Leicester City (H)
Saturday, August 24
Yeovil Town (A)
Saturday, August 31
Burnley (H)
Saturday, September 14
Millwall (A)
Tuesday, September 17
Bolton Wanderers (A)
Saturday, September 21
Reading (H)
Saturday, September 28
Nottingham Forest (A)
Tuesday, October 1
Ipswich Town (H)
Saturday, October 5
Leeds United (H)
Saturday, October 19
Watford (A)
Saturday, October 26
Birmingham City (H)
Saturday, November 2
Queens Park Rangers (A)
Saturday, November 9
Sheffield Wednesday (H)
Saturday, November 23
Bournemouth (A)
Saturday, November 30
Wigan Athletic (A)
Tuesday, December 3
Middlesbrough (H)
Saturday, December 7
Blackpool (H)
Saturday, December 14
Charlton Athletic (A)
Saturday, December 21
Doncaster Rovers (H)
Thursday, December 26
Huddersfield Town (A)
Sunday, December 29
Barnsley (A)
Wednesday, January 1
Wigan Athletic (H)
Saturday, January 11
Leicester City (A)
Saturday, January 18
Brighton & Hove Albion (H)
Saturday, January 25
Blackburn Rovers (A)
Tuesday, January 28
Yeovil Town (H)
Saturday, February 1
Birmingham City (A)
Saturday, February 8
Queens Park Rangers (H)
Saturday, February 15
Sheffield Wednesday (A)
Saturday, February 22
Bournemouth (H)
Saturday, March 1
Burnley (A)
Saturday, March 8
Millwall (H)
Tuesday, March 11
Bolton Wanderers (H)
Saturday, March 15
Reading (A)
Saturday, March 22
Nottingham Forest (H)
Tuesday, March 25
Ipswich Town (A)
Saturday, March 29
Charlton Athletic (H)
Saturday, April 5
Middlesbrough (A)
Tuesday, April 8
Blackpool (A)
Saturday, April 12
Huddersfield Town (H)
Saturday, April 19
Doncaster Rovers (A)
Monday, April 21
Barnsley (H)
Saturday, April 26
Watford (H)
Saturday, May 3
Leeds United (A)
So that's how 2013/14 looks on paper - now bring on the real thing!