On Saturday Craig Bryson played his 100th match for Derby. Unfortunately the Rams didn't get a win to celebrate the milestone - but Bryson passes the century mark as an established and respected player, having become one of the genuine stars of the Championship.

100 appearances (league and cup matches) with 17 goals while establishing himself as a midfield powerhouse who runs all day, terrorising opposition players for 90 minutes with his tireless work rate.

To celebrate the impact Craig has had on the team - we look back to when he joined the Rams and the person in his life who gave him a genuine reason to succeed.

The following article was first published on RamZone in July of 2011 - not long after becoming a part of Nigel Clough's squad and I think best sums up the man, who staff and players alike at DCFC, speak so highly of.

Mum's The Word For Bryson - A Reason To Succeed:

We always hope that players who sign for our team are the type of people who we can respect. A recent interview with Craig Bryson suggests that the former Kilmarnock captain will be one to be proud of.

Originally rejected by the Rams during a trial in the Billy Davies era — Bryson has returned after leading an SPL side and working hard to fulfil the potential he showed as a youngster.

Still only 24 and heading into the age bracket where a footballer usually is at their best, Craig is hoping he can become an integral part of the Derby machine, not just for himself but for someone very special in his life.

When the news came through that Bryson was wanted by Nigel Clough it was not the personal gain that first sprang to mind, instead it was his mum, who has been the source of much inspiration for the Scot in recent years.

Craig revealed to the media after signing for DCFC that his mother has been battling the debilitating condition Multiple Sclerosis. His blossoming career has long been combined with caring for the woman to whom he attributes all of his achievements.

A much healthier wage packet and the security of a three-year deal means that one of Bryson’s first major purchases will be a specially designed house for the woman he calls ‘his biggest fan’:

"I haven't spoken much about the fact my mum suffers from MS but I see how much she has to put up with on a daily basis. I want to do well for her as she is an inspiration to me.”

"She recently had a bad fall and broke a bone in her back and was in hospital for a few weeks. It was during this time she found out I was moving to Derby and that helped her recovery. It gave her a great lift.”

"Everything I do is to help my mum and hopefully with this move to Derby I can help her that bit more. I don't want to come across as some big-time player but I want to buy her a house with no stairs. It's tough to watch her trying to get up and down stairs as her condition gets worse.”

"She's obviously delighted for me getting a move to England and she wants me to keep my money for myself - that's just the type of person she is. But my family is the most important thing in my life and everything I do is to help them."

"We are a family who have come from nothing so for them to see me enjoy a bit of success has been excellent. I moved out of the house about a year ago and my dad has been unbelievable in his support of my mum. I don't know what we would have done without him.”

"I do what I can on days off and if I can take her out great but she's independent enough to do some things for herself. She's fighting the illness but the day may come when she could be in a wheelchair.”

"My parents have always been there for me, helping keep my feet on the ground. They certainly wouldn't allow me to get carried away with what I've got.”

"They get a lot of enjoyment when they come to watch me play on a Saturday and they put in so much hard work when I was playing at boys' club level by taking me to training and going to watch me.”

"My mum has always gone to my home games since I was with Clyde. That continued at Kilmarnock and the people at Rugby Park were excellent with her. They were brilliant at looking after her as she couldn't really get to the away games.”

"She couldn't get the same level of support that she would receive at Rugby Park or at Clyde before that my parents devoted their lives to me and my brother Gary for our football and I'm happy to have made them proud."

"I've worked hard to get this chance and now I need to go down there and show I can make the grade. Nigel has been excellent with me and seems like a really nice guy. I'm looking forward to working under him.”

"I have always had ambition to play at the highest level I can and felt I had done all I could with Kilmarnock. I wanted a new challenge and thankfully I have been given the chance to step up. I will go down and work as hard as I have for the past six years up in Scotland.”

"It's a new country and I'll be on my own so it's a challenge. I've always been a home person so I'm sure I will be homesick for a few months but I'll get over that. It just proves anyone who works hard, at no matter what level, can do enough to make a step up.”

"Even the players who are being released in Scotland due to the money situation should never lose hope. You never like to see people being out of a job. It's so hard now just to get a club and I know I have been lucky."

"I felt I was ready to move up a level and feel I have done that. I need to go down and try to become a regular in the side. You need to have faith in your ability and that has never left me. I can't wait to go down and get started."

Bryson’s story is a heart-warming one and after last season’s scenes at Pride Park of Robbie Savage with his father, it seems that the Rams have another player in their team to not just wear the shirt with pride but also has a heart of gold that beats beneath it.

It is hard to read what Bryson had to say without developing an instant admiration for the player whom we have just become acquainted. I doubt there is a Rams fan who, after reading his story, will not hope that the boy succeeds.

I know that I will be yelling that bit louder and hoping that bit harder that the Craig Bryson makes his mark at the Rams. If he can, combined with a touching story like this, it will quickly make him a crowd favourite and a player that every parent can confidently have their children look up to.

I for one am proud that he is wearing a Rams shirt and have no doubt that with his personal inspiration and will to succeed, Craig Bryson will make his mark at Derby County.

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And make his mark he has! 100 games on and seemingly improving with each one.

Bryson is the kind of player that you want representing your club and as a role model to the thousands of young Rams fans who worship him.

Congratulations Craig on a century of matches at the Rams and may there be many, many more.

Here is the centurion himself, speaking about his achievement - before the Birmingham game:

Below are a few of the goals both fans and Bryson himself will be most proud of so far at DCFC - two of which are from his hat - trick at Millwall - probably his finest performance in a Rams shirt to date.

Photo: Action Images

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