Max says thanks for send-off

DERBY County’s young player of the year Max Bird has thanked the fans for giving the players a “tremendous send-off”.

Manager Wayne Rooney, his staff and the players took part in a lap of appreciation following Saturday’s final game of the season against Cardiff City at Pride Park Stadium.

Off-the-field issues this season saw the club deducted 21 points and, although the team battled gallantly against the odds, the campaign ended in relegation to League One.

The players said thank you to the fans for their backing and the fans showed their appreciation of the efforts of the players during the season.

Bird felt the reaction of the supporters was the perfect way to end the campaign. The 21-year-old midfielder, who has played 113 times for the Rams, enjoyed his best season, making 43 appearances.

“It was a tremendous send-off,” Bird told Ramstv. “I feel as though the fans have been the ‘12th man’ for us this season and they’ve helped us a lot in every single game.

“It has been my best season so far, by a mile. It has been special and not just because of the fans and the connection with them, but also the squad we’ve had and the way the older lads have been with us as younger players. It’s sad that the season has finished, you kind of want it to go on and keep playing with these lads.”