Peter A. DANIEL

Peter Daniel joined Derby County as an apprentice in August 1963, signing a professional contract in December of the following year. After making his debut In October 1965 he remained in the side for the rest of the 65/66 season, County finishing their Second Division campaign in eighth place. Despite signing Kevin Hector, a proven goal scorer with Bradford Park Avenue, the "Rams" struggled throughout the following season and slumped to seventeenth place. It was a performance that cost manager Tim Ward his job, replaced by Brian Clough who moved to the East Midlands from Hartlepool United. The new boss set out to rebuild the team in the style he wanted. After a flurry of incomings and outgoings the Second Division title was won in two seasons, Daniel being one of the five players who remained with the club long term after Clough's purge of the playing staff. A magnificent first season back in the top flight saw Derby finish fourth after a series of thrilling home victories against the biggest sides in the country.

Although County started 1970/71 strongly, a five game pointless sequence in March 1971 saw them eventually finish in ninth place. Peter made just five appearances, including an amazing 4-4 home draw against Manchester United. The "Rams" remained unbeaten for the first two months of the 1971/72 season. Clough's persuasive management skills were seen at their best over the months that followed; several players carried injuries throughout the campaign but the championship was eventually won using just sixteen players. Although Peter did not appear in the title winning side he was involved in another County sucess, being a vital member of the reserve team that additionally won the Central League competition. Derby were unable to defend their championship, a poor start resulting in a seventh place finish in 1972/73. Peter made nine appearances, deputising for all four first choice defenders over the course of the season. Whilst never considered a first team regular, he still made 101 apearances in his first nine years as a professional, always giving of his best in a dependable no nonsense style. (Mike Cockayne)

 Although he played just eight times during Derby County's 1973/74 First Division campaign, Peter Daniel stepped up into the spotlight the following season. With club captain Roy McFarland injured and sidelined for all but the final four games of the schedule, he played alongside Colin Todd at the heart of the"Rams" defence, making thirty-seven appearances. The duo formed a tremendous partnership. Only Middlesborough, Stoke City and Everton took full points on their visits to the Baseball Ground, and with County tallying an impressive sixty seven goals the championship was won for the second time in four seasons. Both men received recognition for their efforts; Todd being selected as the Professional Footballers Association "Player of the Year", whilst Peter deservedly won the equivalent award at club level, an outstanding achievement given that he had been no more than a bit part player during the previous nine years of his Derby career.

Daniel netted three league goals that season, scoring in both the home and away wins against Chelsea and also in the home victory over Tottenham Hotspur. He also netted a vital strike in a 4-1 UEFA Cup first round home sucess against Servette. Peter made just forty-nine league appearances over the following four seasons, scoring four goals. Whilst he was normally called upon to deputise for McFarland, he again demonstrated his versatillity by occupying either full-back position as and when required. Daniel's final first team game was on December 16th 1978, a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal at Highbury. In all competitions he made 246 appearances, including nine as a substitute. Peter played as a professional at the Baseball Ground for fifteen seasons. Whenever selected he demonstrated a rugged determined style of play which rarely let down any of the five County managers he worked under. (Mike Cockayne)

He later ran a branch of the Post Office in Derbyshire and has remained a supporter of Derby County.

1965–1979    Derby County    195    (7)
1979    Vancouver Whitecaps    27    (1)