When the Rams Met the Nazis: Derby Countys 1934 Visit to Germany

IN May 1934, Derby County, one of England's leading clubs, was invited to make a close-season visit to Germany. They found a country swathed in the swastika. Adolf Hitler had gained power only 12 months earlier, and even football could not escape the Nazi thrall. The Derby players were also surprised by the strength of their opposition as the Germans used the Rams' visit to prepare for the World Cup to be held in Italy later that month. When The Rams Met The Nazis tells the story of that trip, using contemporary reports and photographs many of which have not been published before. The result is a fascinating glimpse into the experience of English footballers stepping into a country undergoing the massive political and social upheaval that would ultimately lead to the Second World War.