“Magic, Our Morris” returns — With Eustace, sitcoms, and a bit of Derbyshire destiny

Some signings make sense on the pitch. Others make sense in the heart. But every so often, a transfer drops that makes sense on a cosmic, deeply specific Derby County level.

And Thursday was one of those days.

Because Carlton Morris — hulking striker, box bully, scorer of headers and nightmares — has officially signed for Derby County. And somewhere in sitcom heaven, a man in a hard hat is nodding approvingly and muttering:

“Magic, our Morris!”

Yes. That’s right. We’re going there. For those under 45 (or who grew up without access to ITV4), Oh No, It’s Selwyn Froggitt! was a beloved ’70s sitcom, starring the late Bill Maynard as the eternally clumsy, always well-meaning Selwyn.

One of Selwyn’s best-loved catchphrases, said with a puffed chest and pure pride?

“Magic, our Morris!”

His mate Morris — always offscreen, always doing something impressive (or daft) — became a kind of running legend in the show. A local hero. A man of mystery, myth, and presumably an astonishing moustache.

And now, fifty years later, Derby have their own Morris, and this one’s very much onscreen. Usually launching himself at crosses or winning free-kicks through sheer intimidation.

Bill Maynard, the man behind Selwyn Froggitt, wasn’t just a TV legend. He was a Derbyshire man himself. Born in Heath, just outside Chesterfield. Raised on chip butties and cheek. He was Derbyshire — in spirit, voice, and volume.

So now, Carlton Morris isn’t just following in the footsteps of a fictional offscreen hero. He’s stepping into a role written — literally — by a local legend. The connection is so perfect, you’d think Richard Curtis wrote it after a few jars in the Brunswick.

Let’s be honest, if you watched Selwyn Froggitt or remember TV where the set took ten minutes to warm up, this transfer will hit you different.

Not just because Morris looks like he could wrestle a combine harvester and win — but because his very name echoes back to a golden age of Derbyshire comedy, regional pride, and soft-focus nostalgia.

Let’s not forget another sitcom icon with a Derby link: Robert Lindsay, star of Citizen Smith and certified Rams mega-fan. Lindsay, of course, sings the Derby anthem “Steve Bloomer’s Watching” — his baritone booming over Pride Park like a Shakespearean war cry (& if you ask me, in a cockney accent, but that's another story).

So to recap:

- One 70s sitcom (Froggitt) gave us the phrase “Magic, our Morris!”

- Another 70s sitcom (Citizen Smith) gave us the voice of the Derby anthem

- Now, in 2025, we’ve got a real Morris scoring goals for Derby County

You couldn’t make it up. But ITV probably would. Let’s hope the season isn’t too much of a joke.

Credit must go to John Eustace, Derby’s understated mastermind and man who looks like he politely refuses pudding because he’s thinking tactically.

Eustace sees Morris as the battering ram to lead the charge. A physical, no-nonsense centre-forward who’ll do the dirty work and bag a few screamers along the way. One training ground insider said:

“Eustace told him, ‘You’re not here to play football. You’re here to ruin defenders’ weekends.’”

And honestly? We respect that.

This isn’t just a signing. It’s a spiritual homecoming.

A striker named Morris now walks the same turf once trod by the voice of Steve Bloomer and the legacy of Selwyn Froggitt.

He’s strong, he’s skilful, he’s straight out of the big lad school of hard knocks.

And best of all — he’s our Morris.

And yes — he’s magic.

Welcome to Derby, Carlton. You’re part of the folklore now.

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