VICTORIES in Derby are a rare commodity for Wanderers, who have only toppled the Rams on their own turf once in 53 years.
George Mulhall had few highlights during his solitary season in charge at Bolton yet managed to record a remarkable treble against the East Midlanders in 1981/82.
A 2-0 win at the old Baseball Ground in his fourth game as manager was achieved with goals from Chris Thompson and Gerry McElhinney and was followed by victories at Burnden Park in the FA Cup third round and on the penultimate game of the Division Two campaign.
Wanderers had been humiliated 7-1 on the plastic pitch at QPR a week earlier but inched their way to safety with victories over Derby and Sheffield Wednesday to relegate Cardiff City.
It was not enough to save Mulhall, however, as the cash-strapped Whites sought a player-manager – bringing in ex-Nottingham Forest man John McGovern.
Before 1981, the previous victory was 1965 – the triumvirate of famous names on the scoresheet that day for Wanderers: Franny Lee, Freddie Hill and Gordon Taylor.
Phil Brown – who would go on to manage the Rams – actually led Wanderers to their last win in any competition at Derby County.
Taking temporary charge after the resignation of Colin Todd in 1999, Brown’s side ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Mark Fish and Michael Johansen.
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