Derby County hit the jackpot with £350k deal for 'absolute machine' | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his verdict on the £350k signing of Craig Bryson in 2011

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County completed the signing of Craig Bryson in 2011 from Kilmarnock in a deal worth £350,000.

It was reported that the six-figure sum was paid by the Rams, as they looked to strengthen Nigel Clough’s side.

The midfielder proved an important part of the side during his eight-year stint at Pride Park, with the club finishing in the top half of the Championship each year but unable to find that last bit of quality needed to gain promotion to the Premier League.

The Scot contributed 40 goals and 31 assists in the league across eight seasons with Derby, while also spending a campaign on loan with Cardiff City in that time.

He eventually left in 2019 to return to Scottish football, signing for Aberdeen before moving to St. Johnstone in 2020.

Derby County’s best bit of business

When asked whether Bryson’s signing was a masterstroke, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed that it was one of the best pieces of business the club ever completed.

In particular, the Scot’s impressive 2013/14 campaign was highlighted, with the now 38-year-old contributing 16 goals and 12 assists to help the team come third in the Championship table.

“When you consider what £350,000 can get you now, you’re literally talking about one of the best Championship players of his generation,” Woodward told Football League World.

“That 2013/14 season, I would say he was probably one of the best midfielders in the Championship.

“I think he scored over 15 goals that season, truly one of the best attacking midfielders in the league when he was in his prime.

“He played for eight, nine seasons for Derby, just an absolute machine in that midfield, was such a good foil to Chris Martin, just always had goals in him.

“Really intelligent player, worked his socks off for the team, fan favourite, couldn’t speak highly enough of him.”

Woodward claimed that Bryson will go down in Derby history for his impressive performances in the team, most notably for his hat trick against bitter rivals Nottingham Forest in a 5-0 win in March 2014.

“One of the best bits of business Derby have ever done, and topped it off with a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest, so he’ll go down in history at the club,” he added.

“Will always be remembered fondly by everybody, and an absolute legend, and a really nice guy as well on and off the pitch, so I don’t think you’ll hear a Derby fan say anything negative about the guy.

“Such a shame we never got to see him play in the Premier League for Derby, that’s probably the only thing that’s missing for him.

“But one of the best bits of business we’ve ever done, and it was a bit of a transfer masterstroke.”

Bryson’s best season at Derby saw him contribute 16 goals and 12 assists under Steve McClaren, but the Rams were unable to gain promotion as they fell just short in the play-offs with a defeat to QPR in the final.

Craig Bryson signing was a great deal for Derby

Derby spent a relatively small sum to sign Bryson from Kilmarnock, and he proved his worth several times over with his level of performance.

The Rams didn’t quite gain promotion during his time at the club, but it was still a period that supporters will remember fondly.

The team was always competitive with Bryson in the side, and they earned a top six finish on four occasions.

John Eustace would love to have someone of his quality in the team now, as that could really help propel them into the top half of the Championship table.