Bruce RIOCH

Bruce Rioch joined Derby County in February 1974. The Rams paid Aston Villa £200, 000 for their highly rated twenty-six year old midfielder, manager Dave Mackay believing his attacking style would boost County's chances of qualifying for the 1974/75 UEFA Cup. Rioch played in all of the Rams remaining thirteen league games of the 1973/74 season, netting two goals, both from the penalty spot, in a 1-1 draw with West Ham United and a 2-0 defeat of Ipswich Town. Although Derby lost three of their final six fixtures, a third place finish behind Leeds United and Liverpool saw them duely gain a berth in the European competition. Without doubt, the following season was Bruce's best in the Rams shirt. His centre of the field combination with Archie Gemmill and Henry Newton was outstanding, and as an ever present he netted fifteen league goals - a remarkable total for a midfielder - as County won the title for the second time in four years. It was certainly an unexpected triumph, Mackay's side being required to contest the vast majority of their games without influential skipper Roy McFarland who was sidelined with a severe achilles tendon injury. Bruce also netted strikes in both domestic Cup competitions, and also added normal time markers in both legs of the Rams UEFA Cup win, on penalties, against Athletico Madrid.

Although Charlie George, with sixteen goals, emerged as Derby's top scorer in 1975/76, their 4th place finish again owed a lot to Rioch's ability to find the net on a regular basis - his trademark being powerful left foot finishes. A brace at Ipswich on the final day of the campaign gave him an impressive league tally of thirteen and Bruce added three more, including a 6th round double against Newcastle United, as County progressed to the semi-final of the FA Cup - a game they unfortunately lost 2-0 to Manchester United. Derby made a poor start to their 1976/77 campaign, gaining just five points from their opening eight matches. However, in a remarkable performance they then thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 8-2 at the Baseball Ground on October 16th - Bruce hitting a quartet of goals in that game, his first league markers of the season. As the Rams disappointing form continued, manager Dave Mackay found himself under increasing pressure from the Boardroom and resigned before the end of November '76. His replacement was reserve team boss Colin Murphy who marked his appointment by spending £300, 000 on Charlton Athletic's Derek Hales, that move being part funded by the surprise decision to allow Rioch to move to Everton for £180, 000. (Mike Cockayne)

 Bruce Rioch's Merseyside sojourn lasted less than a year. In November 1977, after playing 30 league games for the Toffees, he returned to the Baseball Ground for £150, 000. Everton boss Gordon Lee said of the move "Bruce and his wife wanted to go back to the Midlands, and rejoining Derby was a good move for him. I will not stand in the way of dissatisfied players." Rioch was signed this time by Tommy Docherty who had replaced Colin Murphy after the Rams had again failed to produce any early season victories. Second time around, Bruce found himself alongside Don Masson and Gerry Daly in the County midfield - Docherty describing the trio as his "three Van Goghs". It sadly proved to be a stunningly inaccurate comparison and by the end of the following season the Rams had slumped to 19th and Docherty had resigned to return to Queens Park Rangers.

Under the "Docs" management Bruce endured a terrible time. Between November 1977 and May 1979 he played in just 28 league games and netted just four goals, all in the 77-78 campaign, against Bristol City, West Ham United, Arsenal and Leicester City respectively. He clashed with the manager and his successor Colin Addison on several occasions and was also sent off against both Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City in the 1977/78 season. As a consequence of the fall outs, Rioch spent loan spells at Birmingham and Sheffield United and finally departed on a permanant basis, initially to Seattle Sounders, in March 1980. Over two spells with the Rams Bruce made a total of 184 appearances (183 +1) and netted 54 goals. He won eighteen of his twenty-four Scotland caps whilst at the Baseball Ground and captained his country at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. At his best he was a marvellous competitor who could turn a game with a flash of brilliance. (Mike Cockayne)