A Chelsea star, five-time Scottish League winner, Football League record holder, Spireites legend, Arsenal keepers and a World Cup winner '“ nine famous Derbyshire footballers

By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jan 2016, 08:24 BST
Updated 22nd Jan 2016, 09:29 BST
Ray Wilson Ex Huddersfield Town and EvertonRay Wilson Ex Huddersfield Town and Everton
Ray Wilson Ex Huddersfield Town and Everton
Derbyshire has produced its fair share of footballing talent throughout the years.

In fact it would be an exhaustive task to produce a comprehensive list of all the Derbyshire players to have made it to the Football League.

So here is a small cross section – in no particular order, including a World Cup winner, a current England star, a player who won five Scottish league titles in a row, a man who scored 10 goals in one Football League game and a Chesterfield legend.

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Who would you say was the finest footballer to come from Derbyshire? Tweet @GrahamSmyth.

Sheffield Wednesday v Tranmere......visitor in the Directors Box,Sheffield's own Gary Cahill,watching his boyhood team the Owls beat Tranmere.Now with bolton Gary as recently won a full England capSheffield Wednesday v Tranmere......visitor in the Directors Box,Sheffield's own Gary Cahill,watching his boyhood team the Owls beat Tranmere.Now with bolton Gary as recently won a full England cap
Sheffield Wednesday v Tranmere......visitor in the Directors Box,Sheffield's own Gary Cahill,watching his boyhood team the Owls beat Tranmere.Now with bolton Gary as recently won a full England cap

1. John Lukic

The 6ft 4ins goalkeeper, of Serbian descent, was born in Chesterfield.

His career was played out at just two clubs, Arsenal and Leeds, making 668 league appearances in two stints with each club.

Lukic played for England at youth and Under 21 level.

Leeds United's Mark Hateley blocks Villa's Andy Townsend and tries a backward kick into the box.Leeds United's Mark Hateley blocks Villa's Andy Townsend and tries a backward kick into the box.
Leeds United's Mark Hateley blocks Villa's Andy Townsend and tries a backward kick into the box.

The highlights of his career were a pair of Football League Division One championships, one with Arsenal in the 1988/98 season, and one with Leeds in 1991/92.

2. Gary Cahill

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This Dronfield centre-half is still in the midst of a successful career.

Cahill, 30, was signedfrom Bolton by Chelsea in 2012, for a fee believed to be around £7million.

Sheffield Wednesday v Tranmere......visitor in the Directors Box,Sheffield's own Gary Cahill,watching his boyhood team the Owls beat Tranmere.Now with bolton Gary as recently won a full England capSheffield Wednesday v Tranmere......visitor in the Directors Box,Sheffield's own Gary Cahill,watching his boyhood team the Owls beat Tranmere.Now with bolton Gary as recently won a full England cap
Sheffield Wednesday v Tranmere......visitor in the Directors Box,Sheffield's own Gary Cahill,watching his boyhood team the Owls beat Tranmere.Now with bolton Gary as recently won a full England cap

His career began at AFC Dronfield, before Aston Villa snapped him up.

England have capped the derfender 40 times, and he has three international goals to his credit.

3. Mark Hateley

Another England internationa, Hateley was born in Derby.

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Leeds United's Mark Hateley blocks Villa's Andy Townsend and tries a backward kick into the box.Leeds United's Mark Hateley blocks Villa's Andy Townsend and tries a backward kick into the box.
Leeds United's Mark Hateley blocks Villa's Andy Townsend and tries a backward kick into the box.

The centre-forward was capped 32 times by his country, scoring nine times for them.

Spells at Coventry and Portsmouth were followed by a move to AC Milan, for whom he hit the net 17 times in 66 games.

Monaco then signed him, and after three years in France he was brought back to the UK by Rangers boss Graeme Souness.

Hateley went on to form a successful partnership with Ally McCoist for the Scottish giants, and won five league titles in a row.

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