Derek Saunders (6 January 1928 – 3 March 2018) was an English footballer who played for Chelsea during the 1950s.

[2] Born in Ware, for whose Spartan League side he made 31 appearances in 1945–46 as its youngest ever captain, Saunders played in a number of positions.

He joined Chelsea in June 1953 and immediately turned professional, making his club debut against Sheffield United.

He featured in the first Chelsea side to play in a European competition, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1958.

Upon leaving the club in 1959, Saunders became the Head Groundsman at Vincent Square, the central London playing fields for Westminster School.