Derby County came into o the 1975 – 1976 season in the finest form of their lives as Don Mackay led them to the league title the previous season and they boasted some fine player including Gordon Hill and Colin Todd. The 1975 -1 976 campaign proved to be another fine one for the Rams as they were emphatic in the top flight finishing it off in fourth place. They enjoyed their finest FA Cup performance since the year 1948 as they reached the semi finals of the competition and suffered elimination against Manchester united. Colin Murphy stepped in charge at Derby during the 1976 – 1977 league campaign; however he saw his side slid in to 15th position in the league. They also reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Everton
The 1977 – 1978 season saw Derby reach the last eight of the league cup, suffering defeat against West Brom. They improved their league position finish, ending it off in 12th position as Tommy Docherty took charge at the club. Docherty remained as manager for two years, leaving the post in 1979. As the decade started to wind down, Derby slid down the table further and further and suffered relegation in to the second division at the end of the 1979 – 1980 campaign, finishing it off in 21st position..