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Dublin born right back David Langan joined Derby County as an
apprentice. He progressed well and signed his first professional
contract in June 1976 aged nineteen. When he made his debut the
following February the "Rams" were a struggling First Division side. A
poor start to the season had prompted Dave Mackay's resignation as
manager and his replacement Colin Murphy appeared unable to prevent
County's freefall towards the relegation zone. A series of solid
displays earned David a regular place in the line up for the remainder
of the campaign. The signing of Gerry Daly also triggered a revival and
Derby clawed themselves into fifteenth spot after losing just two of
their last seventeen fixtures. Another dreadfull opening in 1977/78 saw
Murphy axed in favour of Tommy Docherty. The flamboyant Scot set about a
radical shake up of the playing staff and as a consequence of a deluge
of incomings and outgoings thirty-one players made league appearances.
Langan remained the only ever present, a reward for his pacey, tough
tackling performances. Unfortunately for the club, few players fared as
well and despite all the transfer activity County ended in a
disappointing twelth place.
David played forty games the following
season, the away fixture he missed against Arsenal ending a run of
eighty-three consecutive league starts County meanwhile slipped to
nineteenth, Docherty himself resigning soon after the season ended.
Things went from bad to worse in 1979/80. Colin Addison's side were
relegated five points below the safety zone and several players
requested transfers over the course of the season. When Langan, in an
attempt to avoid being cup tied, refused to travel on the team bus for
an FA Cup tie at Bristol City, he was fined and dropped for a couple of
games. The incident ultimately ended his County career. Although David
saw out the rest of the campaign he was sold to Birmingham City in July
1980 for a fee of £350000. In all competitions he made 155 appearances
for the "Rams", scoring his only goal for the club against Arsenal in
September 1979 to inspire County to a 3-2 victory after trailing 2-0 at
half-time. Langan won four Republic of Ireland caps whilst at the
Baseball Ground and in a difficult perid for the club was at his best
one of its brightest young stars. (Mike Cockayne)
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