Bontddu Ram

Didn't someone who knows quite a bit about football once say that the sign of a good team is one which manages to eke out a result even when not playing at their best?
What Derby seem to have the makings of, certainly at the moment, is a 'good team' - with the emphasis on 'team'. They are a unit - not necessarily the most gifted players individually (you wouldn't expect that - they are a side thrown together in a short period of time, playing in the third tier of English football, assembled on a shoestring budget under all sorts of restrictions - but they are fighting for each other, and the results themselves have been remarkable over the last couple of months.

Thought i would add my 2 pence in and a little bit of a backdrop particularly for those new members.. Ironically my Facebook memories remind me that 12 years ago we organised for Jon Darch from the safe standing roadshow to come down to the Portland Hotel to showcase 'rail seats'. It was a very well attended night including many local councillors and MP's.
Fast forward some 10 years plus and we finally have safe standing at Pride Park. Please remember that Derby County were the 2nd English club behind Aston Villa to go public on this at a time when it was a huge battle and clubs would just not publically do this. 
I went over to Hannover a year or so later and we did a promo video on the rail seats. This is one of the videos - featured Wayne who is a top guy and also well known for being the Peterborough Rabbit mascot. Naturally I took the big flag and got a photo with it in the AWD Arena. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apX5V1IJCW4
Nigel Clough was fantastic in it all. He was prepared to go on video and back the campaign. This was at the time of the Hillsborough disaster still being rather fresh as well with the campaign for further inquires etc. He was the most high profile person in football to go public. Top man.
Sam Rush and Co continued to back the campaign as did Mel Morris although his motives were very much how many more can I get in the stadium for his pop concerts lol! Yes we all remember that stadium video showcase!
So finally we will see safe standing at Derby. Not the rail seats that were campaigned for but rails. Its a start I guess and of course the cheaper option which also ticks many of the health and safety boxes.
Its been a very long 12 years with governments battles along the way. Should not have taken this long thats for sure. Guess we will see what the future holds...... Cough Rail Seats! 
 

Rivalry and banter aside...So sorry to hear this. B4 was a true fan who wore his heart on his sleeve.
Sending our condolences to his family and all his friends and those that knew him on here too.
You're all in our thoughts during this sad time.
Rest in peace B4.
From  the NFFC fans on the LTLF forum. 
 
 

I only read this sad news at lunchtime today.
I'm not a crier.  I don't ever cry when there is some sad story on the news.  I've never understood how anyone could cry at the death of a celebrity or a member of the royal family, people they've probably never met.
Yet for most of this afternoon I found myself blubbing my eyes out over the loss of b4.  I've never met Daniel.  Being an infrequent poster I've only read his messages on this forum.
B4 was the definition of a supporter.  Towards the end of a season I'll find myself looking at the fixtures imagining an unexpected turn around of form, an amazing sequence of results that will project Derby into the playoffs or autos.  Of course I'll never publicly express these dreams, we've mostly been conditioned as adults to have a cynical outlook.  B4 believed though and was not afraid to say so.
I hope B4s family and friends can take some comfort from these messages.  He will be missed.

Had a cry when I find out and had another cry now reading all the posts
What a bloke - can’t count the amount of times he’s made me smile on here, it can be a bloody tough forum to read at times when you consider the club we follow but he was just the best
Not only hilarious but completely spot on - the team would do better if we got behind the lads like he did
I still remember laughing my head off as a younger Leicester Ram at the yellow belt saga, in another life I’m sure B4 will be running the resurgent DLF
Haven’t been to a game since my uncle died but would have made the trek from London come rain, shine or national rail strike for the Bristol Rovers game for Daniel
Unfortunately I’m in Vietnam and can’t make it back, have to admit I’m devastated because he deserves the best send off possible - remember back in the days of the DCFC Fans podcast that I said he was my favourite forum member and he always will be
If anyone is sorting out a flag for him etc but finding the cost a bit dear, please let me know as I’d love to help out
You Rams 🐏 

I hope he wouldn’t mind me saying this, but he did tell me the reason when I was standing with him at (I think) Plymouth away.
He said he didn’t like pink because it’s a “girl’s colour”, but he didn’t want to say it publicly out of fear of offending @angieram!

I am unsure if this thread is the appropriate for this post, please remove if it is not.
I first encountered B4 on another forum many years ago. It was a very different place compared to this forum, and at times was not pleasant.
That B4 was able to become such a star here is down to @David and his team. What a valuable resource this forum is for Rams fans. Yes we carp, squabble and throw hissy fits, but the reaction to B4’s passing, and his many posts, show what a strong and supportive community we have.
#BeMoreB4  COYR!

I never had the pleasure and privelege of meeting this remarkable young man. I enjoyed reading his posts and admired his loyalty to all thing Derby County! He wasn’t even born in the glory years of Cloughie and Taylor yet his enthusiasm put many of us old PopSiders to shame.
He was genuinely loved and respected by all of us on DCFCfans and the many testimonials on here are proof of this.
My condolences and sincere good wishes at this sad time to David and family.
Thank you for the brightness and warmth which Daniel, B4, gave us in often dark and sometimes cheerless times!
Dan, Dan The great Rams Fan
His real name was Daniel
Yet we knew him as B4
A better football fan you’ll 
Never meet I’m sure
 
He clearly loved his family
And every Rams fan true
To join the Pride Park faithful
And sing his heart out too!

What do the rest of you think?

Oh my goodness, what a response!
Hello everyone, I’m Claire, Daniel’s (B4) sister. I am overwhelmed by your kind words, support, and the memories you have shared.  Thank you so much for the kindness and love you have all shown to Daniel over the years. My parents are working their way through all of the posts and will offer their own thanks in due course.
I wish I knew about the scraves, flanges and ballions before now. I wouldn’t have let Daniel live that down at home. This made my husband and I laugh this morning.
I will be wearing Daniel’s shirt and keeping his seat warm at the Bristol match. Really looking forward to hearing a big cheer and round of applause in the 38th minute, a goal at the time would be perfect!  Do please continue to share the picture with details of the applause. Let’s raise the roof for Daniel!!!
Thank you all again ❤️
#BeMoreB4 

So many funny memories of the lad; his player valuations, from which he could not be shifted and which seemed to infuriate some on here, much to other's amusement; his hilarious disdain for any pink strip and his vomit emoji protests when folk disagreed; his 'fondness' for Rick Parry and all things EFL. He was definitely a lad who had strong opinions and wasn't afraid to voice them, but always did so in a fashion that was humorous.
One anecdote that always stuck in my head was him earnestly advising another forum member who jokingly suggested that his wife wasn't letting him out of the house to, 'pretend you're just nipping out for milk, but then come to the game instead'. Let's be honest, it's was a solid enough plan! 

How can the passing of someone whom I never had the pleasure of meeting and have never, to my memory, interacted with directly on here, caused me to shed tears? But that's exactly what has happened. I post very rarely but have been around since the DET days and B4's posts have always stood out during this time. I like to think I'm a positive person but, to his credit, he took it to a different level entirely. The underlying memories I have have been discussed extensively during this thread, but I would like to bring attention to this forum in always being there to defend him against anyone unknowing of his dyslexia. He obviously had the full support and love from you all and I'm sure he knew and appreciated that during his painfully short life. As such it's no surprise to hear and read the outpouring of love, grief and memories from everyone. May he rest in peace in that big old football stadium in the sky.

Classic B4 rallying call prior to the Burton match last April.
Well calling all derby fans to get really really really behind the lads we need get behind the lads lets have wall of noise and have sea of black and white let's have scafs flags and balloons let's cheer lads on into the play offs. The louder we are the better lads play. Let  burton players shake with fear and let them think what on earth have we got our selfs into here.

……………….no further comment required!

It is nice to see a newface here,please keep posting,it will help us to keep B4 ,s memories alive,and I would like to add my name to the list of condolences which have been placed on our blog in memory of your brother,I for one of many will never forget him.

The turtle post was my doing 😝 Daniel left his phone lying around unlocked so I started posting facts about turtles on his Facebook for my own amusement. After about of month of this, someone Dan worked with gave a small stuffed turtle because she thought he liked them so much 😂  That Christmas every present I gave Dan had turtles on them 🤣🤣🤣

I've only just read and heard this devastating news.
Utterly gobsmacked.
Never met him bit constantly enjoyed reading his interactions on here.
Just got back from travelling to watch yesterday's excellent win yesterday and just can't believe this.
May his family find the strength to deal with their tragic loss and may B4 see his beloved Rams achieve everything he so passionately would have wished for.
RIP...B4.

Hi all, I'm another long time reader of the forum but have never felt brave enough to join and post, until now. Like many of you I didn't know B4, but recognised him and his dad at away matches. Last season I was sat next to him at Bristol Rovers, and although we exchanged pleasantries, again I wasn't brave enough to say I recognised him from the forum! If I had, I would have said, as a confirmed "happy clapper" myself, how lovely it was to read his always positive posts, and how his absolute love for our club shone through. It's a measure of the man how many of us are saddened at his passing, even though we didn't know him. Heartfelt condolences to all B4's family and friends, and I hope in time all these lovely messages will bring them some  comfort. 

Damn - not the news I was expecting to read today. This place will never quite be the same again. I always used to enjoy when a newbie would have a go at his spelling and then skulk back under their rock when everyone put them straight. No one messed with our B4!
 

Very sad news. Scraves and flanges will remain the greatest thing anyone has ever posted on a forum. He always made me smile with his sometimes ludicrous, sometimes unrealistic, sometimes fair but always highly passionate posts - a positivity that sometimes we could all do with a bit more of. His rallying calls were always crazy and brilliant. 
He'll be missed and as others have said, I hope the kind words on this thread will bring some comfort to his family. Top man. 
 

B4's family will be devastated but what amazing tributes reading through this thread in full. I hope it brings them a little comfort

Such sad news, lots of us when we weren’t grafting at Royce’s use to log on to the site just to see what B4 had to say, he was a DCFC legend as proven by this thread. I like many never met him but he was always positive and from some of the stories on here a caring and kind soul, if there were more like him the world wouldn’t be in such a mess as it is now
RIP B4

As I reflect on this upsetting news and read how it's affected so many I feel that I must let it be known how much my matchday experience will never be the same again. I have sat in the same seat in the East Stand since it was built, together with my wife, and sat right in front for many years was Daniel and his dad. I am a regular reader of this forum but rarely contribute. I do remember when there was much speculation as to who top fan B4 was. It eventually dawned on me that he must have been sat in front all that time. He reluctantly admitted that he was indeed the one and only B4.
I should have known because I had been discussing team selection and tactics every game for years. Half time changes that were always needed were rarely implemented by the manager, who should have known better. Sweets were often handed around and whatever happened on the pitch Daniel's support was unwavering and I sometimes felt ashamed that I couldn't raise my game when things just weren't happening and I had a feeling of impending doom.
It was a shock not to see and hear him yesterday but it was a privilege to have known Daniel.
 

No, nothing yet. It really is very early days and I think they are just trying to understand their loss.
I will keep in touch and let everyone know what they decide to do. 

I was just watching now a season before how we so nearly lost our club how close I came to a mental break down that year was so hard sitting by knowing nrothing I could do but once I found about protest I had to fight for our club. Knowing only one line defence that was us. 
But then came in kircher gave us all false hope but then clows came in and saved us and also saved us. When I heard we been saved I just yelled we been saved in our back garden I sat crying with happiness tears and then I heard 10 houses doing the the same and then we are derby county we fight till the end and joined in and my mum came by me said I so happy for you even she support the lads even through she hates football and cant stand watching it she listens too it. 
She knows if derby lose I can be old bear with a saw head. I say to her if we fight and give there best I can take that but we they just give up that's when I get mad.
Look on youtube documentary it is called more than a game.
That's what my mum still tells me that I say no it is not it is more than a game life and death.
As my grandad were ever he is in bbg in sky above with brain clough and my grandma supported derby and how she was friends with brain.
She use tell me all the stories and how her dad use take her to the games must been at old race cause ground I use love listening to them. And how on mothers day she was back one day only as she passed away with alsamzers the next day she passed away and I miss her greatly.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

We will remember B4.
B4 always believed in D.C.F.C 🐏
 

Over 9 years ago I took my lad to his first away game. Charlton, midweek in the 6 weeks holidays. 
 
A game I’ll never forget. He was only 5 at the time. I could see that as soon as we walked into the ground, he might struggle with just how loud it was. We got to our seat and the game just about to kick off and everybody standing. He was only 4 foot tall so I told him to stand on his seat. He still couldn’t see properly but at least it was better. The next minute, a friendly face appeared offering us both a sweet, unbeknown to me at the time it was B4 - my lad then fell down the back of his seat hurting both his legs. B4 was straight there making sure he was OK and for the next 90 minutes made regular check ins with him to see if he was OK and reassuring him not all games are like that. 
 
At HT we spoke at length and swapped user ID’s on dcfcfans. The next day I received the below message direct from Daniel. It epitomises everything about the guy and from that moment, he’s always held a special place in my heart and always will do. Not many like him but I’m so glad our paths crossed that night. 
 
RIP buddy, DCFC won’t be the same place without you. 💙💙