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Promising Youth Prospect - Matt Derbyshire
It's a shame when young James Beattie was sold for merely £1 million in an exchange deal involving £7 million transfer flop - Kevin Davis from Southampton. Beattie became a prolific striker, and had nearly earned a place in the England team.
Therefore when young forward Matt Derbyshire played in the pitch years later, he made supporters glow.
Derbyshire was a lifelong Blackburn fan born in the Great Harwood Town in Blackburn, and initially worked as a coach in the club's community office.
But it was while playing for non-league Great Harwood Town, that his goals made heads turn. Blackburn Rovers signed Derbyshire in a £20,000 move from Great Harwood Town in November 2003.
Matt Derbyshire earned his first team debut against Fulham in May 2005 when replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen for the final minutes.
He was loaned out to Plymouth Argyle in August 2005 to gain more experience, but failed to get on the scoresheet. The young forward was loaned out again in February 2006, to League Two side Wrexham. This time Derbyshire announced his loan stay with 10 goals in 16 appearances. Former manager Mark Hughes's decision to give Derbyshire loan spells to give him match practice and competitive games proved a master stroke. Since his move back to Blackburn, Derbyshire has fitted in well to Premier League life and the young lad is becoming an England star in the making.
The forward scored his first Premiership goal on 2007 New Year day against Wigan Athletic, and his rise to prominence continued on his next match with a clinical fifth-minute opener knocking Everton out of the FA Cup. At the Manchester City match, close to full time Rovers substitute Derbyshire slipped Stephen Jordan and beat Nicky Weaver from an acute angle to cap an impressive 3 - 0 win.
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In January 2007, Matt Derbyshire has extended his Ewood Park stay until 2010. Derbyshire was called up to the England under-21 squad on 1 February 2007, but did not join U21 team due to injury.
Derbyshire was fit enough to be included in England's under-21 match against Italy at the new Wembley Stadium on 24 March, 2007. He scored England's third goal in a thrilling 3-3 draw. |
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Club Information
