2002–03 Derby County F.C. season

During the 2002–03 English football season, Derby County competed in the Football League First Division, following relegation from the FA Premier League the previous season.

Season summary
Derby were expected to make a bid for an immediate return to the Premiership, but struggled all season which resulted in manager John Gregory being sacked in March and replaced by former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, who led the team to a secure but disappointing 18th-place finish.

Kit
Derby retained the previous season's home kit, manufactured by Italian company Erreà and sponsored by Pedigree.

Results
Derby County's score comes first

First-team squad

 * Squad at end of season

In

 * Paul Ritchie – Manchester City, loan
 * Tommy Mooney – Birmingham City, loan
 * Nick Chadwick – Everton, loan

Out

 * Darryl Powell – released (later joined Birmingham City on 12 September)
 * Brian O'Neil – released, 27 November (later joined Preston North End)
 * Fiachra McArdle – released, 27 November
 * Deon Burton – Portsmouth, 11 December, £250,000
 * Mart Poom – Sunderland, 10 January, £2,500,000
 * Chris Riggott and Malcolm Christie– Middlesbrough, 31 January, £3,000,000 combined
 * Danny Higginbotham – Southampton, 31 January, £1,500,000
 * Bjørn Otto Bragstad – released (later joined SW Bregenz)
 * Horacio Carbonari – released (later joined Rosario Central)

Loan out

 * Deon Burton – Portsmouth, 9 August
 * François Grenet – Rennes, 29 August
 * Mart Poom – Sunderland, 15 November
 * Marvin Robinson – Tranmere Rovers, 29 November