The club had lost first class status after 1887 and did not regain it until 1894, the year before they joined the County Championship.
William Chatterton was in his third year as captain and was also top scorer making a century against Essex.
Fred Spofforth, known as the "Demon Bowler" had toured England with the Australians in 1886, and afterwards chose to live in Derbyshire.
The club tried to persuade the County Cricket Council to let him play for Derbyshire without waiting for the usual two years' residential qualification.
In the 1890 season, with the residential qualification met, Spofforth was able not only to play for Derbyshire but to captain the side.