Derbyshire F.C.

The Derbyshire club was founded in 1871 and was originally the representative side of the Derbyshire Football Association, representing a dozen Derbyshire sides and playing under Sheffield rules as well as Association laws.[1] Until 1878 the Derbyshire club was still claiming to have an available membership of 200,[2] but as more sides arose in the county, and the Sheffield rules merged with Association rules, there was less need for a representative side; indeed the Derbyshire side failed to turn up for a fixture with the Sheffield FA in February 1878.[3] By the 1878-79 season the club only had 30 members, suggesting it had become a "regular" club, using the Derbyshire name.[4]

The club first entered the FA Cup after this transition, in 1880-81, playing Notts County at Trent Bridge in the first round. At half-time Derby were 4-1 up, and although Notts scored twice in the second half, it appeared Derby had won through to the second round.[5] However, with the score at 4-2, Notts claimed to have scored a goal, which the umpire disallowed as having previously allowed a Derby appeal that the ball had gone out of play. As the referee's decision was not final at the time, Notts appealed to the FA that the goal was a good one, and the Football Association allowed the appeal, thus ordering a replay.[6] Notts won the replay 4-2, after 15 minutes of extra time, and Derby appealed the result on the basis that Derby had a goal disallowed during normal time that would have won them the match; this time the FA turned down the appeal.[7]

Most of the Derbyshire players from 1880-81, including club secretary W. Shaw, played for a club named Derby Town the next season; it is unclear whether this is the same club as Derbyshire under a new name, or a new club, as the "Derby" name is still recorded in the Alcock yearbook as the same club as in 1880-81. Derby Town's one FA Cup appearance was a 4-1 defeat to Small Heath Alliance in the first round in 1881-82. By 1884, the county cricket club had formed a new football team, and Derby Town was absorbed into the new club as a reserve outfit.

The club wore white until 1875-76, then scarlet and white (probably in hoops) until 1878-79. For its FA Cup appearances the club wore black shirts.

The club played at the Derbyshire cricket ground, then known as the South Derbyshire ground.