Just after midday on Saturday, we once again meet our fiercest rivals from just down the road and I thought it was as good as time as any to take a look back at four of the most recent players, who have done the unforgivable, daring to pull on one shirt but then trade it for the other.
From a Red to a Ram - Nathan Tyson:
Tyson made the move across the A52 in the summer of 2011 after rejecting a contract offer to stay with Nottingham Forest. He’s not shy of scoring in big East Midlands derbies, having scored in a few games whilst playing in red.
His time at Derby was blighted with injuries, forcing a long wait for a decent performance - let alone a goal. Some Derby fans never forgave him for the flag incident back in 2009.
Just as he finally found fitness and some form he fell from favour with Clough (amidst claims Nigel ignored him in his final months) and was shipped off to Blackpool. According to the Seasider's website he has played 14 minutes so far this season and at the time of writing they haven't even bothered to add his picture.
Unfortunately for Nathan - not much to wave a flag about these days.
From a Ram to a Red - Lee Camp:
The current Northern Ireland international is a product of Derby’s academy. He made over 90 appearances between the sticks as a Rams player. After a few loan spells away from Pride Park and a spell at QPR, he moved to Forest. When on loan at Forest in 2008, he saved a Derby penalty from Nacer Barazite in a controversial 1-1 draw at Pride Park.
He went on to make 182 league appearances for Forest before joining West Brom on a free transfer this month - ruling out him going head to head with his former Derby team mate in Lee Grant.
From a Ram to a Red - Robert Earnshaw:
Derby unfortunately wasted £3.5 million on this man back in 2007, having just won promotion to the Premier League. He scored just 2 goals in a Derby shirt and moved to the City Ground in 2008 for a fee of around for £2.65 million.
His only Premier League goal for the Rams came against Arsenal in a 2-6 loss to the Gunners.
His spell at Forest was a much more successful one where he scored 35 goals in 98 matches. Earnshaw is now doing well for Toronto FC where he currently is playing and scoring regularly - unlike his time at Derby - thanks a lot Robert!
From a Red to a Ram - Kris Commons:
Commons was one of my favourite Derby players over recent years. He moved to Derby in 2008, after turning down a contract offer from Forest, and that season scored a wonderful goal against The Reds in the FA Cup, to complete a comeback of 2-0 down and win the tie 3-2.
His strike against Manchester United in the League Cup Semi-Finals will live on in the memories of Rams fans for a many a year.
Despite proclaiming his love for Derby, as he did for Forest before us, moved on to play for SPL side Celtic after a move in January 2011.
I thought it was a shame we didn't take Matt Derbyshire on loan instead of him heading to Blackpool as he would be, in name, an ironic candidate for such a move. Plus it would be a great marketing tool to sell a few shirts. Even if he left, your numbered shirt would always be current!
So until another player dares to make the cross from darkness to light - or vice versa - bring on the big match Saturday where any player on the pitch could be a potential traitor in years to come....
For more of Nathan's articles visit his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him @NathansRamsBlog on Twitter.