Early in 1989, the Club began the process of applying to become a first-class cricketing county and join the County Championship.

Devon applied for first-class status and to join the County Championship in 1948, however they were turned down.

Derbyshire joined the County Championship, together with Essex, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Hampshire.

In 1895, both of these clubs and Warwickshire CCC joined the County Championship.

After Derbyshire joined the County Championship in the 1895 season, he played one match - a draw against Warwickshire.

Derbyshire will recover first-class status in 1894 and join the official County Championship in 1895.

The club had lost first class status after 1887 and did not regain it until 1894, the year before they joined the County Championship.

Derbyshire played twelve games, all against sides that they had played in first class matches before 1888 or that joined the County Championship four years later.

In 1895, Leicestershire CCC joined the County Championship.

The county applied for first-class status in 1904 and was promoted the following year when it joined the County Championship.