 His first senior goal for the club came in an FA Cup replay against Sheffield United in January 1977.After 59 league games for the Magpies (scoring four goals) he moved to Derby County in August 1978 for a fee of £60,000, making his Rams' debut on 15 September in a 3–2 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Baseball Ground.In August 1980, after Derby's relegation, he moved to Bristol Rovers for a fee of £70,000, having scored four times in 37 games for Derby.