MATT’S GOAL FOR RAMS DAD DEAN

DERBY’S Matt Yates is thrilled to follow in his dad’s hoofprints and play for the Rams.

Yates’ father Dean was a defender with Derby when they won promotion to the Premier League for the first time under Jim Smith in 1996.

Yates, 22, grew up listening to his dad’s stories about playing for Derby and the Under-23s goalkeeper was delighted to emulate him by making his senior debut against Chorley.

He said: “I wasn’t born then but I’ve heard plenty of stories about his time. He said to me to enjoy it and embrace everything. That’s the positive to come out of this and I want more.

“This is the position you want to be in, playing for the first team.”

Yates, who has played for England at U-17 and U-16 level, claims he and his fellow young Rams will learn from their chastening afternoon at Victory Park. Chorley’s physical and direct style was a culture shock for

Der Derby’s team of debutants, which in included six U-18 players, but Yates insisted it will still help their development.

“It was always going to be like that,” said Yates, who has been at Derby since he was nine.

“We had a young side out there and we were up against some proper men.

“That’s never happened before and it’s something we had to adapt to.

“I thought that we put up a tough fight and we could not have asked any more from ourselves. “We can be proud of our efforts and now we’ve had a taste, we all want more.”