The Rams were the first winners of the competition in 1970 when they beat Manchester United in the final

Derby County owner David Clowes

Is it really more than 50 years ago since Derby County lifted the Watney Cup as first winners of the competition? The Rams beat Manchester United in the final in 1970 in front of 32,000 at the Baseball Ground.

The Watney Cup was a pre-season competition that ran for only four years and was contested by eight teams, two from each division, that had scored the most goals in each of the four divisions of the Football League the previous season, and who had not been promoted or qualified for one of the European competitions.

Each club received an equal share of the gate receipts and TV revenue, as well as £4,000 for entering the competition. Derby made a

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