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Leighton James signed for Derby County in November 1975, the twenty-two
year old pacey two footed winger having previously scored forty-four
goals in 180 league matches for Burnley. The powerfully built Welshman
cost a club record £300000, manager Dave Mackay clearly thinking a new
face would bolster the "Rams" stuttering defence of their First Division
championship crown. It was not to be however, one win in their last
five games saw County finish 1975/76 in fourth place behind Liverpool,
Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United. James made twenty-two
appearances and tallied six goals including both markers in a 2-0 home
victory against Arsenal and a fine first goal for the club against
Leicester City. Derby made a terrible start to the following campaign,
picking up just five points from their first eight fixtures. Although
they then remarkably humiliated Tottenham 8-2 Mackay resigned soon
afterwards and was replaced by reserve team boss Colin Murphy.
A late
season improvement in form resulted in a fifteenth place finish,
Leighton emerging as top scorer; his nine goals including two in a 3-2
loss at Manchester City and markers in conscutive games against Stoke,
Norwich and Aston Villa. He also tallied three goals in the 12-0
demolition of Irish part timers Finn Harps in the UEFA Cup, his sole
hat-trick in the "Rams" shirt. Yet another poor start in 1977/78 cost
Murphy his job, allowing the flamboyant Tommy Docherty to take over the
managerial reins. Leighton made just five appearances under the new boss
before strangely being allowed to move to Queens Park Rangers in an
exchange deal which saw Don Masson, a player nine years his senior,
arrive at the Baseball Ground. Leighton's departure upset many fans,
especially when his repacement was allowed a free transfer within a
year. In all competitions Leighton made just 89 appearances for County,
including one as a substitute. He scored twenty-one goals and won
thirteen of his career total fifty-four international caps whilst with
the club. (Mike Cockayne)
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