Fagan is one player who Rams fans could never suggest didn't give everything on the field even if that everything was not always effective.
It seems his time at the Rams is over after he rejoined Hull City on emergency loan, the club he joined Derby from in January 2007. Fagan will be reunited with former Derby manager Phil Brown who from all reports is delighted to be able to bring him back to the club.
The move surprised many as he was an ever present member of the team this season, starting 25 times and numerous times under new manager Paul Jewell. Although his delivery especially when crossing from out wide had caused many to question his effectiveness, no one could ever doubt his tenacity or willingness to give his all for the team.
My perspective on the situation was that with the impending drop to the Championship Fagan would have been an asset to the team but obviously Paul Jewell and his coaching staff thought otherwise. Many things happen behind closed doors at a football club and obviously behind those doors it is thought Fagan did not fit the jigsaw puzzle that is being put together for next season and beyond. Perhaps at 26 years of age they felt improvement in his game was becoming less and less likely.
When a highlights package is assembled for this season Fagan could literally have a package assembled of missed chances as he probably created and squandered more goalmouth chances than any player in the team. His creativity and willingness to run at opposition unlocked the door on many occasions but sadly he was unable to then put the ball in the back of the net.
One can only think of what might have been had Fagan been able to slot some of those chances home and improved his delivery from his probing runs down the wing. He could excite the Rams faithful by tearing away from defenders with the ball, getting into crossing position only to deliver crosses that sailed over the heads of those waiting in the box or to waiting defenders. At this level of football failure to improve the flaws in your game will cost you and it seems Fagan has paid the ultimate price.
It is believed a fee of around £700,000 has been agreed upon to be completed at seasons which would mean a £50,000 loss on the Rams original investment. After being a part of our promotion campaign he is one of the few that will be seen as a chance worth taking without ever fully delivering on his potential.
I for one wish Fagan all the best for the future and hope that he can iron out the creases in his game that have perhaps stopped him from becoming a complete and very dangerous attacking player. Sometime players just need a little luck to turn their endeavour into success and although he may have lacked finish at times, a little luck may have helped deliver the confidence that would have made him the complete package. Sadly we will never know if that is the case.
Good luck Craig, we’ll check in on you next season!!