FANS had more than one reason to celebrate in April 1969.

Rams manager Brian Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor (above) agreed to sign new contracts on April 18 – the first time in the club's history that a manager had been given a contract for more than four years.

Rams chairman Sydney Bradley issued the following statement, described as one of the most important ever made by the club: "The board of directors are delighted to announce that Mr Brian Clough and Mr Peter Taylor will sign five-year contracts with Derby County dating from June 1, 1969. The board are delighted that this matter has been resolved without the slightest problem. The success achieved by Mr Clough and Mr Taylor has exceeded our wildest expectations."