George Thorne – “Derby County will always be my club”

It’s not often that an individual loanee becomes the very heart and soul of a football club, especially a loanee arriving halfway through the season, but George Thorne broke that mould when he arrived at Derby in January 2014.

Thorne was a pivotal piece of Steve McClaren’s Derby County puzzle, making 20 appearances as the Rams reached the Play-Off Final, only to be devastated by that infamous Bobby Zamora strike late on. 

He was adored by the Derby faithful and to this day is still fondly remembered for his undisputed efforts whilst wearing a Ram on his chest. 

I was fortunate enough to hear from the former Derby midfielder recently regarding his spell with the Rams, his struggles with injury and the depression he’s endured due to the path his career has followed;

On hearing Derby were interested in signing him on loan from West Brom…

“My initial reaction was [that]it was an opportunity I was very eager to do. 

”I had returned from an ACL injury after having my first real sustained spell of consecutive appearances in WBA’s first team so was eager to pick up where I left off.

“Derby at the time were doing well and playing the right style of football so it was the perfect fit for me.”

On playing in *that* Derby side under McClaren…

“I think that side was the best Derby side I’d been a part of and seen right up to this day.

“It was a fairly young side which maybe almost made us a little naive in a sense, but it also meant we were fearless & relentless. 

“We had a style of play, a philosophy, a changing room we trusted and a manager we trusted. 

“As strange as it sounds I remember multiple games where we would concede, and as disappointing as it was to concede, in a funny way personally I wouldn’t even care that much at times because I knew and we knew that nobody could cope with us for 90 minutes.

“We were going to outscore the opponent regardless.”

On his debut in the 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest…

“To be honest I don’t actually recall it that well, I remember I had been chomping at the bit for weeks, knocking on Steve McClaren’s door telling him to play me over and over.

“I got my opportunity and of course everyone was telling me how big the game was but my focus on that day was more about putting in a performance that made me undroppable for the next game. 

“Of course it’s a bonus when you knock your rivals for 5!”

On the Play-Off Final against QPR and the effect it had on the squad in the coming seasons…

“I remember it very well. I’ve never felt so sure and confident going into a game before. 

“As I stated previously, because of how young our squad was I believe we probably didn’t take note of how big the occasion was. 

“I felt like we dominated the game, it just felt like every other game we had been in.

“Of course what happened [has]happened but that’s why we love and hate football. Mad moments like what happened on that day.

“I remember the feeling after losing that game, I was devastated. I completely lost the thought process of being a loan player, I felt like I was a Ram and had always been a Ram in that moment.

“I remember my agent phoning me on the bus on the journey home and I just said get me to Derby permanently this summer that’s where I want to be.”

On his personal Derby highlights…

”My personal highlights would be the 13/14 season from the moment I stepped into the team to the moment the season finished. 

“Also signing for the football club, individual moments such as goals against Brighton, Huddersfield & Man. United and the relationship I had with the fans throughout my time still brings me positive memories to this day.”

On how his injuries affected his career…

“Of course the ACL I suffered just days after signing was devastating for me. It was such a long saga over the summer of trying to get to Derby.

“Upon returning from that injury I think it was evident that we were in a situation where I was needed urgently and had too much too soon thrown at me.

“[It was] partly my fault as well for thinking I could just pick up where I left off but you’ll do well to find a player that’s been out for 9 months that won’t want to play every single second they can after missing all that time.

“My leg break absolutely shattered my career, I was heartbroken. It was a needless game, a horrific tackle that, funnily enough, we didn’t even get a penalty for! But that split second, that tackle shattered my career for sure. 

“I was told initially it would be a 4-5 month turnaround. 16 months later, 6 operations later, because of people not knowing what the issues were, because of wrong sized screws, because of infected metalwork, I found myself in a hospital with antibiotics running through a drip for 7 days. 

“Whatever could’ve gone wrong during that injury did.

“Quite simply I just never felt like an athlete after returning from that injury. My technical ability was there of-course, my footballing brain was there. However, my body could simply not react quick enough to what my brain wanted it to do anymore. 

“I do believe if I hadn’t sustained any of those serious injuries that we would have been promoted at some stage. I do believe I would have had a Premier League career and I do believe I would’ve played for my country at some point. 

“Unfortunately you can only work with the cards you are dealt with.”

On his expectations for former teammates…

“I don’t believe anyone has really gone on to surpass my expectations.

“I always felt Will Hughes was the most naturally gifted teammate I had and I do believe he’s flown under the radar for a lot of people whilst doing well for Watford in the Premier League.”

On his best/funniest moments at the club…

“I think the best moments would’ve been [during]the 13/14 season.  The feeling & momentum within the football club at that stage was something I’ve never felt before.

“Every season that followed there was an expectation attached, pressure attached, so a sense of the freedom was lost.”

“I could sit here telling you stories of Johnny Russell tormenting us on the training ground every day! But we’d be here forever!

On his feelings when leaving the club…

“I was devastated when I left Derby. I was gutted that I hadn’t managed to achieve what I should have, which is getting that club promoted to the Premier League.

“I was angry and hurt because the club I loved used something that was out of my hands, that they had agreed to, as an excuse to exile me way before this point. 

“I was gutted that injuries had essentially robbed me of what I believe could have been a very successful career.”

On what is next up for him…

“Right now I’m taking some time on my next move and spending some quality time with my family.

“I really struggled to get my head around the situation of having to drop down after Derby. 

“No disrespect to anyone and I do mean that, but I just mentally found it so crushing and demoralising to be 27- years old and be at a level where my footballing brain was levels above, but my body couldn’t match it anymore, or cope with the demands of the level I had dropped to let alone the level I was at. 

“I have no shame in saying that I suffered quite badly with depression with how the last few years at Derby unfolded. 

“I had to take a step back and find myself again for the sake of myself, my family and my daughter.” 

Thorne still loves the Rams…

“Lastly I just want to say Derby County will always be my club, I loved that football club and hopefully that was evident to see during my time. 

“I made some memories that will last me a lifetime and I’ll always be grateful.”

I would like to place on record my thanks to George for taking time out of his day to speak to me, alongside giving such an honest and open insight into his time at the club and his struggles since.

On behalf of Prost International, I wish him all the best in the next steps of his career and I hope to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible.