Abu Derby

Such very sad news.
I never met B4 however his unbounded enthusiasm, passion and loyalty to the club was a inspiration to so many Rams fans, even an old cynic like me.
Rest easy B4.
 

This is only the second time I have ever posted on this site though I read it almost daily for news, gossip and because I like to see what others think about our team. I go to nearly all games, home and away, but I don't think I have ever met B4. But as everyone has said he shone like a beacon on here and I loved to read his posts. He was the ultimate fan. What a huge loss. Please keep his memory alive on here. We need more people like him in the world, people who are just passionate and not consumed by a desire to be right or to put others down. I hope that the love that has been expressed for him is some consolation to his family.

Incredibly sad news. What a man. A Derby legend - we will never forget you B4. Our football club will always do you proud. 
Deepest sympathies to his family and friends. 
R.I.P. 
 

Might climb through it

Andy, who is Daniel's dad, has just rung me to say that he has started to read through all your wonderful messages today. They have made him and Daniel's mum Lynne, cry and laugh in equal measure. 
Andy, Lynne, Daniel's sister Claire, their poodle Marley (Daniel was his butler!) and all the rest of the family are very grateful for the kind messages.
Regarding a tribute, they would prefer a round of applause on the 38th minute of the next home League game against Bristol Rovers on 25th November. There will be more friends and family who know Daniel there on that day, so it would seem more  appropriate than the cup replay this week.
 @David and @Owen87ITK, I  don't know if you can help organise this? And is it possible to have a photo on the big screen or is that not allowed? 
Andy has also asked me to share this photo of Daniel's seat yesterday, with a big thank you to all who came up to him to chat or offer condolences. He really appreciated it. 
 
 
 

Never met B4, but in 2020 I  mentioned my mum passed away in a post somewhere and within minutes B4 private messaged to say he was there if I needed to talk - he regularly messaged me checking to see if i was ok anr I can only thank him for showing such compassion to somewhere he never knew and had nothing to gain from this.
 
Reading through these posts, this seems to be a similar theme and shows what a lovely human being he was.
RIP mate, thanks for the positive vibes and I hope Derby do it this year 🙏 

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. 💙💙
 

When I heard this sad news last night, I was absolutely gutted, B4 was such a positive man, an optimist in times of mediocrity, a true believer who only faltered once, when we were on the brink 16 months ago. The thought of losing his beloved Rams, filled him with dread.
However, it is only tonight, reading everyone's tributes, with an unashamed tear rolling down my cheek, that the bigger picture emerged. Tales of chats at service stations and concourses, his passion at at games and most tellingly, the private messages of encouragement or empathy when other posters were going through a tough time. Even when he had his own troubles, which would have left most of us exhausted and probably would have prevented all of us attaining his relentless positivity.
The reason behind those chats and messages, as well as good human nature, is we are family. We have something which binds us together, a shared love, a community. We live in a polarised society, where politicians, media and social media seek to expose and amplify any divisions and isolate us. However, we have an attachment, a forum, a club, a badge, a team to rally round and no-one rallied round The Rams more than B4. For those, like B4, who may find life hasn't always been kind or easy, that sense of attachment is even stronger and more important. 
They say you die twice in life, once when you stop breathing and again when people stop remembering you. Daniel, we will remember you, we will remember your rallying cries, your kindness to others and most of all the purity of your faith for the team you love.        

Wow. Sad times.
He's been knocking around the old DET and other forums as long as I have (pushing 20 years). Back then he had a much longer name that was his full surname and first name punctuated by numbers. Thankfully it was shortened it to B4.
First thing I really remember of him was he used to make the craziest transfer suggestions.
One that sticks in the memory is when Chelsea were battling to sign Mateja Kezman as their new no.9/Hasselbaink's replacement, B4 decided he would probably prefer to come to us and help in a Championship relegation battle because he'd start more games and score more goals. In the next few years a number of similarly unfeasible suggestions were made, we need a left winger, how about this guy from Ajax, who promptly went to La Liga or somewhere else for £20m.
That sums up B4's love of football and his unbridled positivity and hope for me. He probably always aimed a bit too high, but that was an amazing belief to have and I hope he carried it through all aspects of life.
I think at first a few of us were like, what the heck is this kid on about, but he soon won us over with his pure love and enthusiasm, and was accepted as a part of those forums' familes. His confidence grew amazingly over time and he pretty much created himself a role as official cheerleader, not just for the team, but when the fanbase was growing tired of poor football or bad results he would pep us up too and make us smile. I will also commend him for doing brilliantly to overcome his dyslexia, the improvement in his posts was monumental.
I'm not sure over the past 20 years I've seen a page on any main Derby forum without one of his threads, he will leave a gap and any forum will be a little less bright without his input.
In his memory I'd love to see a pinned thread for positive stories and comments only, that would seem fitting as he always saw and hoped for the best...
...except for NIck Blackman, my god he hated Nick Blackman. LOL
RIP B4
 
 

Daniel's dad reads the Forum and will see your messages of support.
 
 

I think B4s Derby County Forum would be perfect.

First and foremost, my thoughts are with Daniel's friends and family, I cannot imagine what they are going through right now.
I heard the news last night and it came as a huge shock, B4 as we knew him so fondly by will be a huge loss to the forum.
He was Mr Positivity, Derby County's biggest cheerleader, even during the bad times his positivity would shine through.
I know his Dad was at the game today with a scarf on his seat, whilst we haven't closed the gap on Portsmouth in Daniel's final rallying call on this forum, I'm sure he will be over the moon with the 3 goals and 3 points today.
DCFC Fans will be honouring Daniel in time to ensure he remains in our memories, we will also be contacting the club in due course to see what can be done during a game.
Suggestions are welcomed as we all come to terms with the loss.
Rest in peace Daniel. ❤️🐏

I have some very sad news this evening.  Daniel (B4) died earlier this week. He was just 38.
As you know, he has been battling numerous health conditions for a long time, but always remained cheerful  and was the most loyal supporter of his beloved Rams, home and away.
He was at the match at Crewe and gave his full support as always. 
Daniel leaves behind a grieving dad, mum and sister. Our thoughts go out to them and we only hope they get a little comfort from knowing how well loved Daniel is by all who know him. 
Here are a couple of photos that his dad agreed could be shared. I'm sure many of you have others, as Daniel loved a selfie at the game.
David is hoping to arrange a more fitting tribute in time, but for now please raise a glass in his memory and a good Derby win today. I am sure that's what Daniel would have been doing tonight.
 

How it should be done.
The 2023-24 Vitesse Airborne shirt is dedicated to the landmark ‘Windows on the Past’ on the Ginkelse Heide near Ede. It is made up of claret and blue stripes with lines claret coloured lines running through the blue stripes representing the threads of the parachutes and the lines of gunshots fired at the paratroopers.
 


Vitesse stadium

Never served, always donate to the Appeal via the Neppy. I remember on my first visit to the Netherlands aged 21 or 22. Visited the War Cemetery in Arnhem. Seeing the ages of the fallen brought tears to my eyes. They were almost all younger than I was and had made the ultimate sacrifice. I, for one, will never forget them nor the sacrifice they made. 
I would dearly love to see everybody in their seats a good while prior to kick off today and to appreciate the ceremonial happenings. That last pre match beer/cola/pie/burger.... that can be taken a little earlier than usual. IMO, not being in your place by 10 to 3 today would be showing total disrespect to the fallen.

As an ex-serviceman the discord over it in recent weeks and even years disgusts me. So many people that I find truly repulsive attempting to hijack the cause for their own gain, to the point where I've totally disconnected from it all.

What an idiotic statement!! Nothing to do with football but why will every ground including non league and even park football show there respect today and tomorrow  ??
Some young men never got the chance to play football and today is about respecting them !! Don't bring palestine into it as today is all about those who bravely lost there lives!!! 

I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that I believe Tony Weston will single-handedly fire us back in to the Premier League within three seasons.

Nice comment about Warne's football caught on ITV mic

I've switched over to the wheelchair Rugby League on BBC2. More movement off the ball than I've seen all day from Derby

Look on the bright side. At least losing here means we can put all our focus on the promotion charge as opposed to an extensive cup run.

It’s his weekly shopping list mate. 

It’s his weekly shopping list mate. 

We are so lop-sided, giving the ball to Mendez so that he can aimlessly try and cross the ball somewhere in the vicinity of their penalty area. 
Mostly unsuccessfully.