Derby first competed in Europe when they entered the 1972-73 European Cup after winning the 1971-72 First Division Title,[REF] reaching the semi-final stages, where they lost 3-1 on aggregate to Juventus in controversial circumstances.
The club then declined rapidly and has not appeared in the top European competitions since, though it finished in 5th in the 1989 First Division which would have guaranteed entry into the 1989-90 UEFA Cup but English Clubs were banned from Europe following the Heysel Stadium Disaster.