Derby looked quite ordinary in the first division during the 1994 – 1995 season as they could only settle for a ninth position finish in the tier. They reached the fourth round of the league cup, however were most unfortunate to not progress as they suffered a narrow defeat against Swindon Town in the last sixteen of the competition.
Derby County dominated the first division during the 1995 – 1996 season as they enjoyed a great second position finish, in turn resulting in promotion back into the premiership at the end of the season.
The 1996 – 1997 season saw Jim Smith guide the Rams to a very respectable 12th position finish as they established themselves as a premiership outfit. The 1997 – 1998 campaign saw the club finish off in the top ten as they enjoyed a fine ninth position finish. They were unfortunate not to progress any further in the league cup as they finished off the campaign in the fourth round, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United. They crashed out of the FA Cup also into the fourth round as they suffered a defeat against Coventry City.