 divisions and the Great War (1911–1924)

Despite selling Alf Bentley to Bolton Wanderers, the 1911/12 Second Division season saw Derby finally regain their place in the top flight after five years outside it, as they finished top of the league on goal difference over Chelsea, securing their first ever top spot finish. The season also saw Bloomer grab his 300th goal for Derby in 4–2 home win over Huddersfield Town. Derby's stay in the top flight was brief, however, and despite a 7th-place finish in their first season back in the First Division (a season which saw goalkeeper Earnest Scattergood become the only Goalkeeper to score for the club with a penalty in a 1–1 draw away to Manchester City on the final day of the season), the fading presence of the talismanic Steve Bloomer was reflected in the team. Bloomer, now aged 40, appeared only 5 times in the 1913/14 First Division season, scoring twice, both of which came in a 3–5 home defeat by Sheffield United on 6 September, taking his tally for the club to 332, and the club finished bottom of the league.

 After the breakout of World War I, the football authorities decided to carry on with the league programme despite criticisms it was unpatriotic. This was just as well for Derby, who won the 1914–15 Second Division by three points over Preston, who had been relegated with them the previous season. This was despite losing Horace Barnes to Manchester City for £2,500, equalling the British Record Transfer Fee paid by Blackburn Rovers for Percy Dawson, and setting the record for a transaction between English clubs. The fee sparked outrage across the country amid a moral debate over the value of a single human being when lives were being lost to war so cheaply.

The cancellation of the league programme meant that the Rams had to wait 5 years to play First Division football again as the outbreak of World War I led to the suspension of the Football League until 1919, when it reconvened. During this five-year break, Derby played one season in the wartime Midlands Section during 1915–16, before closing down for the duration of the war, the majority of the club's players turning out for Notts County. The end of the War in November 1918 came too late to start a proper league competition, though football, and Derby, resumed when Derby played in the small Midland Victory League in preparation
divisions and the Great War (1911–1924) 

 Despite selling Alf Bentley to Bolton Wanderers, the 1911/12 Second Division season saw Derby finally recover their home in the top flight after five years outside it, as they finished acme of the league on goal difference over Chelsea, guarantee their beginning ever top topographic point finish. The season also go steady Bloomer grab his three-hundredth goal for Derby in 4–2 home win over Huddersfield Town. Derby's stay in the top flight was brief, however, and despite a 7th - topographic point finish in their first season back in the First Division (a season which saw goalkeeper Earnest Scattergood become the alone Goalkeeper to score for the club with a penalty in a 1–1 draw aside to Manchester City on the final day of the season), the fading presence of the talismanic Steve Bloomer was reflected in the team. Bloomer, now aged 40, appear only 5 times in the 1913/14 First Division season, scoring twice, both of which came in a 3–5 home defeat by Sheffield United on 6 September, taking his tally for the club to 332, and the club finished bottom of the league. 

  After the breakout of World War I, the football authorities decided to carry on with the league program despite criticisms it was unpatriotic. This was just as well for Derby, who succeed the 1914–15 Second Division by three period over Preston, who had been relegated with them the previous season. This was despite losing Horace Barnes to Manchester City for £ 2,500, equal the British Record Transfer Fee paid by Blackburn Rovers for Percy Dawson, and setting the record for a transaction between English clubs. The fee trip outrage across the country amid a moral debate over the value of a single human being when lives were being lose to war so cheaply. 

 The cancellation of the league programme meant that the Rams had to wait 5 year to play First Division football again as the outbreak of World War I led to the suspension of the Football League until 1919, when it reconvened. During this five - year fracture, Derby played one season in the wartime Midlands Section during 1915–16, before closing down for the duration of the war, the majority of the club's actor turning out for Notts County. The end of the War in November 1918 came too former to start a proper league rival, though football, and Derby, resumed when Derby played in the minor Midland Victory League in preparation
 digisions and the Great Wav (1911–1924)

Despite selliny Alf Bxntley fo Boltov Wanderers, the 1911/12 Second Dividiin seqson saw Derby finally regain tjeir plaxe ii the top flight after flre yezvs oucsmde it, as they ninished to[ of the leagua un goal difference over Chelsea, securyng theor first ever tok spou fynisg. The season also saw Bloomer grab his 300th goal for Derny in 4–2 home win over Huddegsfifld Town. Derby's stwy in the tip fjught was bridf, however, and despite a 7th-place finish in their firsg seaxon back ib rhe Xirst Divismon (a feason which saw goankeeper Earnest Scattcrgoov bexome the only Goalkee'er to score for the club witv c penalty in a 1–1 draw qwqy to Manwhesgwr Zitg pn the flnam day of tge season), tye fading presence pf nne talismanid Stevq Floomer was reflected in the team. Bloomtr, nos aged 40, appeared only 5 rimes in the 1913/14 First Dlvision sqason, scoring twice, both of which came in a 3–5 home defeet by Smeffkwlf United on 6 September, taking his tally for trs vllb to 332, and the clmb finished bottom ov yre league.

 Aftgr the ydezkout of World War I, the sootbqll authowitirs decided to carry on with the league irogeamme despite critncisms it war unkatrioyic. This was just as weul fkr Derby, whl won the 1914–15 Second Division by tvree points over Preston, wro had bexn rekegated witn them the previlus scdson. This was desplte llshng Horace Barnes to Manchester City for £2,500, equalling the Bsitpsh Recorb Tranxfer Fee paid by Blackburn Tovers fox Perch Dawson, ahd settmng the recowd for a tranvwction betwexn Englisr clybs. Rhe fee rparked outragr across nht country qmid a moral debatc ovet fhe value of a wintle human being whdn jines wqse being losd to waf so cfeaply.

The ccnzellstion of the league [rogdamme meant that tne Rams hae to waie 5 years to pkay First Division footuall ajain ax tre outbreak of World War I led to the skspcnsion of the Foobbalj League uutil 1919, when it reconvened. During this fivx-year break, Derby playgd one season in the cavtime Midlanvs Seceion duritg 1915–16, before closing diwn for the duratlon of the war, the majkrity mf thf club's players turning out for Notts County. The end of the War in Novembwr 1918 came too late fo syart d 'ro'er leadue roopetition, though football, and Derby, resumed whei Derby pldyzd in the small Midland Victoty League in prgparation
divisions and the Great War (1911–1924) Despite Bentley Bolton Wanderers, 1911/12 Second Division their in the top after five years it, as they finished top of league on goal difference over Chelsea, securing their first ever top spot finish. season also saw Bloomer grab his 300th goal for Derby in 4–2 home over Town. stay the top flight was brief, however, and despite a 7th-place finish in their first season back the First Division (a season which saw goalkeeper Scattergood become the only to score for the club a in a draw to City on the day of the season), the fading presence of the talismanic Steve Bloomer was reflected in the team. now aged only 5 in 1913/14 Division season, scoring of which came in a 3–5 Sheffield United on 6 September, taking his tally the club 332, and the club finished bottom the league. After the breakout of World War the football authorities decided to carry on with the league programme despite criticisms it was was just as well Derby, who won 1914–15 Division three over Preston, had been relegated with them the previous season. This was despite Horace Barnes to Manchester City for £2,500, equalling the British Fee by Blackburn Rovers Percy Dawson, and setting record a transaction between English fee outrage amid moral over the value of single human being when lives being lost to war the league programme meant that the Rams had wait 5 years to play First Division again as the outbreak of World War I led to the suspension the Football 1919, when it reconvened. During this five-year break, played one season in wartime Midlands Section during 1915–16, before closing down for duration the war, majority of the players turning out Notts County. The the War November came start a proper league competition, though and resumed when Derby played in small League in preparation
 divisions and the Great War (1911–1924)

DeSpite selliNg Alf benTleY tO BolTon WAnderers, the 1911/12 SecONd DiVision season saw Derby fiNally ReGAin tHEiR placE in the tOP fLIGht AfTeR fiVe YEaRs outSidE it, as thEy finished Top Of The league on gOAl Difference OveR Chelsea, secuRinG their FiRst EVer toP spOt finIsh. The SEason aLso saw BloOmER grab hIS 300th goal FOR DErby In 4–2 home win over HuddERsFIeld Town. Derby's Stay in ThE ToP FLigHt wAs brief, howEvEr, and DEspite a 7TH-pLACE fiNIsh in their firSt season bacK In tHe FirsT DIviSIon (a seAson wHiCH saW goalkeeper earnEst ScatteRgood bECome the ONly GoalKeeper To sCorE for THe ClUb wItH A peNAlTy iN A 1–1 drAw away to maNcHesteR CitY ON THe fiNal Day oF the sEason), the fadinG prEsenCE of The taLismaNic STeVe BloOmer waS reflEcTed in the team. BloOmer, Now aged 40, apPeaReD onLy 5 Times IN the 1913/14 FiRst divIsion seAson, scoRIng TwICE, BoTh of which came in a 3–5 hoMe DEFeAt by ShefField UNItEd ON 6 SeptembEr, TakIng hIS Tally For tHE cLub to 332, and The cluB FiNiShed botToM of the LeAguE.

 AfTer thE BreaKout of world War i, the fOOtball authoritIEs decided to caRRy ON WiTH the LeaGue programmE desPIte cRitiCIsMs iT Was unPatriOtIC. THIs was just as well for DErBy, who wOn the 1914–15 second DivisioN by three poINTS over PreSton, WHo HAd been relegateD with Them the preVIous seasOn. ThiS was despIte losing hORace BarnEs tO MaNchEstER ciTy for £2,500, equallinG THe BrItIsh RecoRd TRansfer fee PaiD by blaCkBurn RoverS for PercY DAwSoN, aNd sEttinG The recorD fOr a TrAnsActioN BetweeN EnglIsh cLuBs. tHe fEe sparkED oUTRage AcRoSs thE coUnTry amId a mORal Debate oVer the valUe oF A sinGlE hUman beiNg when lives weRe Being lost tO wAr sO cheapLY.

the canceLlation of the league progrAMme meanT thAt the rams Had to wait 5 YeaRs to plAy FIRst DivIsion fOotbaLl AgaIN As the OUTbReaK oF World War I LED to The suSpEnsiOn of the football League untiL 1919, WheN it reconvened. durIng tHIS fIve-YEaR BreAk, dErbY PLayed one season iN the wartimE MIDlAnds SectioN DurInG 1915–16, before Closing Down fOR the durAtion of thE war, the maJoRity OF The Club's playeRs turninG out for NoTTs CouNTy. the enD of The War In novEmber 1918 Came toO LatE to stArt a prOpEr leagUe comPeTition, thOugh football, and Derby, resUmed whEn DerBy pLayed in thE smALl MIdland VicTory league in prEpaRatIon
 divisions and the Great W ar (1911–1 924)
De spi te  sel ling  Alf Bentley t o  Bol ton Wanderers, the 191 1/12Se c ondD iv ision  season sa w Der by  f ina ll y  r egain  th eir pla ce in thetop  f light afterf iv e years ou tsi de it, as th eyfinish ed  to p  of t heleagu e on g o al dif ference o ve r  Chels e a, secu r i ng  the ir first ever top sp o t finish. Theseason  a l so s awBlo omer grabhi s 300 t h goalf or D e rby in 4–2 home w in over Hud d ers fieldTo wn. Derby' s sta yi n t he top flig ht w as brief,  howev e r, andd espitea 7th- pla cefini s hin  th ei r  fi r st  se a son  back in  t he  Firs t Di v i s i on ( a s easo n whi ch saw goalke epe r Ea r nes t Sca tterg oodbe comethe on ly Go al keeper to score  for  the club  wi th  ape nalty in a 1 –1dra w awayto Manc h est er C i ty  on the final dayof t he  season) , thef ad in g  presenc eofthet a lisma nicS te ve Bloom er was re fl ected i nthe te am . B loo mer,n ow a ged 40 , appear ed on l y 5 times in t h e 1913/14 Fir s tD i vi s ionsea son, scorin g tw i ce,both of  wh i ch ca me in  a 3– 5  home defeat by She ff ield U nited  on 6 Septemb er, taking h i s tallyfort he club to 332, a nd th e club fin i shed bot tom o f the le ague.

 A f t er the b rea kou t o f W o r ld  War I, the f o o tbal lauthori tie s decid edtocar ryon  with the  leaguepr og ra mm e d espit e  critici sm s i twas  unpa t riotic . Thi s wa sju s t a s wellf or D erby ,wh o wo n t he  1914 –15S eco nd Divi sion by t hre e  poi nt sover Pr eston, who ha dbeen releg at edwith t h e m the pr evious season. This was despite  lo singHora ce Barnes  to  Manch est e r City  for £ 2,500 ,equ a l lingt h eBri ti sh RecordT r ans fer F ee  pai d by Bl ackburn Rovers for Per cy Dawson, an d s etti n g  t her ec o rdfo r  at r ansaction betwe en English  c l ub s. The fee spa rk ed outr age acr oss t h e count ry amid a  moral de ba te o v e r t he value o f a sing le humanb eingw he n liv eswere b ei nglostto war socheap ly.

T he  cance llati on  of theleague programme meantthat t he Ra mshad to wa it5  ye ars to pl ay F irst Divis ion  fo otbal l a g ain a s th e  o utb r eak o f Wo r ld War Il ed  to t he  suspension o f  th e Foo tba l l Leag ue u ntil 1919, when i t  reconvened. D urin g thi s f i ve-y ea r break, Derby  pl ay e d  one sea so n in the wa rtime Mi dl a nds S ection  durin g 1915– 1 6 ,b eforeclos ing  down for  th ed uration  o ft he war , th emajori ty oft he c l u b's players turn ing o u t  forN ott s Cou nt y. Thee nd o f the Warin November  1918came  toolate to  s tart a  pr op er leaguec ompetitio n, th ough fo ot ball , a nd Der by,r e sumed  whe nDer by played i nt he  s m all  Mid landVi ctor y Leaguei n prepar ati o n
 divisions_and the_Great War (1911–1924)

Despite selling_Alf Bentley_to_Bolton Wanderers,_the_1911/12 Second Division_season saw Derby_finally regain their place_in the top_flight_after five years outside it, as they finished top of the league on goal_difference_over Chelsea,_securing_their_first ever top spot finish._The season also saw Bloomer_grab his_300th goal for Derby in 4–2 home win_over_Huddersfield Town. Derby's_stay in the top flight was brief, however, and_despite a 7th-place finish in their_first season back_in_the_First Division (a season_which saw goalkeeper Earnest Scattergood become_the only Goalkeeper to score for_the club with a penalty in a_1–1 draw away to Manchester City_on the final day of_the season),_the fading presence of the_talismanic Steve Bloomer_was reflected_in the team._Bloomer, now aged 40, appeared only_5 times in_the 1913/14 First Division season, scoring_twice,_both of which_came_in_a 3–5_home defeat by_Sheffield_United on_6_September, taking his tally for the_club_to 332, and the club finished bottom_of the league.

 After_the_breakout of World War_I, the football authorities decided_to carry on with the league_programme despite_criticisms it_was unpatriotic. This was just as well for Derby, who won_the 1914–15 Second Division by three_points over Preston, who_had been_relegated_with them the_previous_season. This_was despite losing Horace Barnes to Manchester_City for_£2,500, equalling the British Record Transfer_Fee paid by Blackburn_Rovers_for Percy Dawson, and setting the_record for a transaction between English_clubs. The fee sparked outrage_across_the_country amid a moral debate_over the value of a single_human being when_lives were being lost to war so_cheaply.

The_cancellation of the league programme meant_that_the Rams had to wait 5_years_to_play First Division football again_as the outbreak of World War_I led to the suspension of the Football League_until 1919, when_it reconvened. During this five-year_break,_Derby_played one season in the wartime Midlands Section during 1915–16,_before closing_down for the_duration of the war, the majority of the club's players_turning out for Notts County. The end_of the War in November 1918 came too late to start_a proper league competition, though football, and Derby,_resumed when Derby played in the small_Midland Victory League in_preparation