"It's been a pleasure": Derby County captain reflects on League One promotion

Conor Hourihane was made captain at the start of the season by his fellow players

The role of a club captain is always important, but none more so than when a team is fighting for a goal like promotion.

Conor Hourihane was Derby’s captain this season and did an excellent job in guiding his side to a second place finish to send the Rams back to the Championship.

The former Aston Villa and Barnsley man has had plenty of success in his career, but he may look back on this season as one of his greatest achievements.

Speaking to Rams TV, he said: “One of the big things for me coming here was to try and get promoted, so being captain at the start of the year gave me extra motivation to achieve that and to manage this group over the year has been really, really easy.

“Credit to the lads, they've made my job really easy and it's been a pleasure.”

Hourihane has played in 41 games this season, scoring five goals and providing eight assists. He has been a big part of the Rams’ midfield for the majority of their fixtures.

However, at the age of 33, it may be one of, if not his last promotion as a player, he said that it plays a part in making it extra special.

“You probably cherish it a little bit more, the older you get.” He added, “Being 33 and being lucky enough to get another one, especially with a big football club and how it's been the last few years here, it adds even more joy to it all. “

After the Rams missed out on the playoffs and finished seventh last season, the captain said that he felt it gave everyone that extra bit of motivation for this year.

He said: “As players, it has been just full focus on promotion. We had the disappointment last year with not making the play-offs, for a club like this to only finish seventh in League One is not good enough.

“To flip that on its head and get into the top two this year has been some turnaround in the last few years from the club and that's a credit to everyone.”

The players celebrated long into the night last Saturday as they headed into town and got the spend the night with colleagues, family and friends.

Hourihane and the rest of the squad will have memories that they will never forget.

He added: “It was a special night on Saturday. The instant feeling of complete joy with family and friends around you are things that we will remember for a very long time.”