Youth product Derek played only one first team game, at St Andrews in 1982 when the club had an injury crisis. A left-footed midfield player, he remained at the club until March 1984 when he joined Torquay. He also played for Swindon, Southend and Halifax before joining Hereford where ex-City man Greg Downs was manager. His last league club was Rochdale in 1994-95 and it is believed he lives in the Manchester area.