The 2012-13 campaign, overseen by manager Nigel Clough, delivered a season of ambitious near-miss for Derby County as The Rams finished a respectable 10th in the Championship, just falling short of the play-off places. Leading the charge was the talismanic forward Jamie Ward, whose career-best 12 league goals anchored the attack despite missing a significant portion of the season through injury. This was a transitional year that saw the emergence of a prodigious 17-year-old talent in Will Hughes and the stability of Jack Stamps Trophy winner Richard Keogh, all contributing to memorable victories, including a crucial 1-0 win over rivals Nottingham Forest and a double success against Leeds United at Pride Park.