{"product_id":"steve-bloomer-derby-county","title":"Steve Bloomer, Derby County","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve Bloomer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDerby County \u0026amp; England\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve Bloomer stands as one of the defining figures of early Association Football and remains the most iconic player in the history of \u003cb\u003eDerby County\u003c\/b\u003e. Born in 1874 in Cradley Heath, Bloomer joined Derby County in 1892 and would go on to embody the club’s rise during football’s formative professional era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA prolific centre-forward, Bloomer was renowned for his instinctive finishing, sharp positional sense, and unerring composure in front of goal. Across two spells with Derby County (1892–1906 and 1910–1914), he scored an extraordinary \u003cb\u003e332 goals in 525 appearances\u003c\/b\u003e, a record that still stands as the club’s all-time high. His goals powered Derby to the summit of English football, playing a central role in \u003cb\u003eFootball League Championship triumphs in 1896 and 1897\u003c\/b\u003e, and in multiple FA Cup final appearances during the club’s golden age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt international level, Bloomer was equally devastating. Representing \u003cb\u003eEngland\u003c\/b\u003e, he scored \u003cb\u003e28 goals in just 23 caps\u003c\/b\u003e, a strike rate that places him among the most efficient forwards in England’s history. His performances against Scotland, in particular, cemented his reputation as a player for the grandest occasions, capable of deciding matches through intelligence rather than brute force.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBloomer’s style was emblematic of late-Victorian and Edwardian football: purposeful, elegant, and ruthlessly effective. He required no flamboyance—his genius lay in timing, anticipation, and a deep understanding of the game at a time when tactical systems were still evolving. To contemporaries, he represented the ideal professional footballer; to Derby supporters, he became a symbol of identity and pride.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve Bloomer’s legacy extends beyond statistics. His name is woven into the fabric of Derby County itself—immortalised in the club anthem \u003ci\u003e“Steve Bloomer’s Watching”\u003c\/i\u003e—a testament to the enduring bond between player, club, and community. In the story of English football, Bloomer stands not merely as a great goalscorer, but as a cornerstone figure of the professional game’s early history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"215\" data-end=\"262\"\u003e\n\u003cb style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eProduct details:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will only pay shipping\/postage for 1 item, no matter how many items you purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiscounts are given for multiple purchases.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSize: A3, A4, A5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSingle Sided\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePaper: 400gsm premium art stock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePrint quality: Museum-grade, high-resolution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFinish: Unframed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWatermark shown in images does NOT appear on the final print\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarefully packaged for safe delivery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking piece of football history — ideal for collectors, historians, and lovers of our national game.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny issues please contact me at \u003ca href=\"mailto:paul@worldvintagecolours.com\"\u003epaul@worldvintagecolours.com\u003c\/a\u003e by clicking the hyperlink and I will get back to you ASAP.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"World Vintage Colours","offers":[{"title":"A3","offer_id":47263994511552,"sku":"Steve Bloomer, Derby County A3","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A4","offer_id":47263994544320,"sku":"Steve Bloomer, Derby County A4","price":7.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"A5","offer_id":47263994577088,"sku":"Steve Bloomer, Derby County A5","price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/8242\/7840\/files\/A3-SteveBloomer-DerbyCounty.jpg?v=1769375670","url":"https:\/\/www.worldvintagecolours.com\/products\/steve-bloomer-derby-county","provider":"World Vintage Colours","version":"1.0","type":"link"}