Derby County have been out of the Championship for two years after their relegation in the 2021/22 season.
However, they will return in the summer after an excellent year in League One which broke points records and gave Derby their first promotion since 2007.
When the Rams were relegated, they were in a state of turmoil, with many not knowing if the club would continue to exist as the threat of liquidation was serious.
They were relegated on the 18 April 2022 after a hard-fought battle against a seemingly impossible task after they were docked 21 points by the EFL.
Wayne Rooney’s side failed to beat Queen’s Park Rangers at Loftus Road on that day which sent them down in heartbreaking fashion.
But what has happened to the Derby team that played that day?
When the Rams were relegated, they were in a state of turmoil, with many not knowing if the club would continue to exist as the threat of liquidation was serious.
![Lawrence was a real star for Derby. He spent five seasons at Pride Park scoring 36 goals in 170 games. The winger is now at Rangers who he joined after Derby's relegation in 2022. He has also continued to make odd appearances for Wales' international side.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkyYzMwYzZkLWRmMWQtNDUwZC1iY2IwLWIzZTJlYzdiODZjMzoxNDA0OWFhZS1hZWQxLTRhY2QtODBiOC0yZWQ1NDhlODdkNDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Left wing: Tom Lawrence
Lawrence was a real star for Derby. He spent five seasons at Pride Park scoring 36 goals in 170 games. The winger is now at Rangers who he joined after Derby's relegation in 2022. He has also continued to make odd appearances for Wales' international side. Photo: Tony Marshall
![Jason Knight stayed at Derby for their first season in League One, but left in the summer of 2023 after six years with the club. He joined Bristol City for an undisclosed fee which also saw Kane Wilson come to Derby. Knight has since made 46 appearances, scoring six goals for the Robins.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYzMjI4ZTVkLTFmNGYtNDdiOC05YWQ2LWE4N2M3OTcxMDEyNjo0MjRiNjAxZi0xMDRkLTQzZjgtYmMyOS1mYTk1OTExNzMyMzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Attacking midfielder: Jason Knight
Jason Knight stayed at Derby for their first season in League One, but left in the summer of 2023 after six years with the club. He joined Bristol City for an undisclosed fee which also saw Kane Wilson come to Derby. Knight has since made 46 appearances, scoring six goals for the Robins. Photo: James Gill
![Plange was somewhat of a young star for Derby in the relegation season. He was sold to Crystal Palace in January, but loaned back to Derby for the remainder of the season. Since relegation, Plange has had a number of loan moves from Palace to Lincoln City, Carlisle United and HJK Helsinki.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/21/10/Luke%20Plange.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Striker: Luke Plange
Plange was somewhat of a young star for Derby in the relegation season. He was sold to Crystal Palace in January, but loaned back to Derby for the remainder of the season. Since relegation, Plange has had a number of loan moves from Palace to Lincoln City, Carlisle United and HJK Helsinki. | Getty Images