The 2020–21 season is Derby County F.C.'s 137th season in existence, their 13th consecutive season in the Championship, and their 53rd season overall in the second division of English football. Alongside the Championship, they also competed in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The season covers the period from July 2020 to 30 June 2021. Review Pre-season It was confirmed on 24 July 2020, that the 2020/21 Championship season - delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic - would start on the weekend beginning 12 September 2020. When the fixtures were announced on 21 August, it was revealed that Derby would start the season at home to Reading, as they had done in the 2002-03 campaign. Another notable fixture was 28 November home match vs. Wycombe Wanderers - it will be the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides. The most significant off-the-field announcement came when it was revealed that the two charges bought upon the club by the EFL, namely the club's valuation associated with the sale of Pride Park Stadium in June 2018 and its amortisation policy associated with intangible fixed assets (players) were dismissed, ensuring the club would avoid a points deduction and fine for the 2020/21 campaign. The EFL later confirmed it would appeal the dismissal of the charge regarding player valuations. The first new arrival in the playing staff was Mike te Wierik who finally arrived at the club having signed a pre-contract agreement for a three-year stay in February 2020. Ben Hamer's return to parent-club Huddersfield Town, coupled with Scott Carson and Jonathan Mitchell's loan moves to Manchester City and Northampton Town respectively, left the club in search of a goalkeeper, with the gap being filled by the acquisition of Scottish international David Marshall from Wigan Athletic. A second significant capture was the return of reigning player of the year Matthew Clarke on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. In terms of contracts, George Evans signed a one-year extension to take his stay at the club through to 2022. After a decade at the club, Mason Bennett left to join Millwall for an undisclosed fee. Scott Malone also moved to The Den on a season-long loan. September The season opened on 5 September with an EFL Cup First Round tie against Barrow, whom Derby had not played competitively in 63 years, with Derby advancing on penalties after a 0–0 draw, with