sheeponacid

Having lost my 19 year old cat a few months ago, I gave in and agreed we could get another one. Unfortunately one turned into three! And they're famous too:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57156565
Scooby (freshly snipped) and his sisters Callie & Meg (all renamed since we adopted them)
 

I don't want Rooney as manager.
I didn't want him at the club in the first place.
But the club is in a terrible state. The squad is the poorest it's been for years.
And yet, Rooney has been very dignified throughout the past couple of very difficult months.*
I'm not sure any manager could save us this season.
We need a new owner, ownership of the stadium and an end to the EFL soap opera. Then we can have a total reset.
* Personal life excluded.

We are away
We aren't losing
We haven't conceded a goal 
Its really not that bad !
 

When I was a kid, I utterly adored steak and kidney pudding, but I always viewed it as a two-edged sword - a wonderful treat and, equally, a harbinger of doom. My dad used to make them very rarely - usually to cheer me up or to use as a distraction when there was bad news. I recall that when my mum was seriously ill in hospital in Kluang, Malaya with typhoid and she wasn't expected to pull through, the pud made an appearance. Similarly, when my grandad died, that was the dinner. The ultimate 'giving comfort' food, as far as I was concerned.
Now, as an old man, I still love them, and a trip to Blackpool is not complete without pudding and chips with gravy - especially Hollands.
Today, for the first time ever, I made my own, and I was pretty pleased* with the result.
 
 
*Actually, I was delighted.

 

 

Born and raised in Derby. My Dad took me to my first game when I was 3, not sure exactly when (he couldn't remember either, nor who we were playing) or why he suddenly decided to take me, but I do have a dim recollection of standing on the stub wall around the pitch in the Vulcan hanging on to the red hooped railing and later being dumped at the back of the Popside while he watched the rest of the game (I assume I got bored). He didn't take me again until a preseason friendly vs Hearts in 1967 I think, which is when I started to take an active interest in the Rams. I got my first season ticket and started going regularly in 69/70 (glory hunter). 
Left Derby at 19 to go to Uni and over the next 40 years, living and working in various places across the South-East, the last dozen or so years in the Smoke. In the early years I probably went to as many away games as home games, and sometimes economics determined that I only went to a dozen games a season, but when Pride Park was opened I decided to bite the bullet and get a ST again and I've been in the East Stand ever since. 
I'm now retired back in Derbyshire and appreciating not having to travel so much, but the Rams have always been the constant that has maintained my connections with the County, the City and my family and oldest friends. 
 

Jaws. I was 8 or 9 when my mum took us to the cinema to see it. Front row. Terrifying.
I have no idea what she was thinking taking 2 young kids to see such a film but I'm so grateful she did. 
And I didn't want to go near any body of water for years.

I just want to apologise for the delay, my absence, my handling of the situation and try to explain what has happened.
The meeting on Wednesday was scheduled to end at 8.45pm, my last train home was 9.33pm, I slipped out just after 9pm as I didn’t have clothes, medication, toiletries with me as I wasn’t planning on staying overnight.
When the meeting had finished, an agreement was made where one statement would be written and signed off by all groups, this is the first time anything like this had been agreed, I was under the impression we would be allowed to report back as normal.
Being completely unaware of this, whilst waiting for my train I saw a conversation take place on my Twitter timeline discussing the meeting minutes, when would they be out.
I replied, that the meeting minutes were not taken and we would be sharing the information ourselves, which as I say I was under the impression would be allowed, why else attend? I thought I was being helpful.
Now I can see on reflection I was clearly naive in not appreciating the number of fans waiting online for what was said at the meeting, would see the tweet whilst was part of a conversation, which was also public and could be seen and shared by others. The tweet blew up online having been retweeted, I’m not exaggerating when I say maybe hundred or more replies, some abusive to the point where I had to turn notifications off as my phone was freezing with as I came back into an area with phone signal.
On the forum I did pre warn members not to expect anything Wednesday evening, the minutes can sometimes take a few days to a couple of weeks before being released. I was going with the intention of asking the club if the minutes could be released within 24 hours or that we could release the information immediately. Obviously once we was told the minutes would not be taken all that went out the window and believed we was free to report back immediately, and that was the plan.
Again, I was clearly naive to the fact fans on Twitter would not be aware of this, so when I wasn’t replying to all the tweets with thumbs up or down if it’s good news, or are we going to have a club next week the levels of abuse increased, despite my plea for being understanding I wasn’t in the position to do so.
With my write up, I had no intention of adding any personal opinion, it would be just what was said and allow you all to read and take it as you will.
As you will be well aware, all fans see things differently and I didn’t want to raise any expectations or disappoint fans, then receive more abuse as it wasn’t what they were expecting.
I put myself in this situation through naivety, but I don’t accept that the abuse was warranted at all, I have removed the twitter account from my devices and will no longer be active on that account, opting now for a private account as I have no interest in twitter fame.
I would seriously urge anyone that did send me abusive tweets to have a think how they talk to people online and their demands, if this is this what celebrities have to deal with on a daily basis, I’m glad I’m just a nobody!
Punjabi Rams, who I honestly can’t thank enough stepped in and put some tweets out from their account to give some information in my defence. You guys are awesome, didn’t need to do that but again, I honestly can’t thank you enough. Quick plug www.punjabirams.co.uk, @PunjabiRams on Twitter, go give them a follow if you are on there.
On the train home I started to do the write up on my notes app, realising I need to get this out asap, first thing to defuse the situation I felt I had created.
Thursday morning, as I was consulting my notes and finishing off the write up, there was a few things I wanted to fact check with the club were totally accurate, there has been times where things have been misheard in the past (Boycie ahem) and needed correcting, I didn’t want this to happen. We’re human, mistakes can happen, I believed I had time to ensure there were none.
I decided, and this was not requested by the club but to send my write up to them, asking if they could read it over and everything I had written was totally accurate, leaving ??? <—— fact checks where I was a little cautious over.
They agreed and I again naively yet again assumed that this would be back with me in a few hours……despite the previous night listening to just how busy they have been.
Now whilst I understand and totally agree that this meeting is important, the club staff are as I’m sure you can imagine really busy, now I need to really stress here that this is in no way the fault of the club, this is on me 100%.
No tweet, no forum post, none of this situation exists.
Meanwhile The Supporters Charter Group are scratching their heads as to why I’ve gone it alone, I can only apologise to them also, as I say I was under the impression that we would all be reporting back ourselves which I have explained privately with them.
A single statement isn’t something I would have been personally happy with but that is what was agreed in my absence.
I haven’t felt comfortable coming back on the forum if I'm honest, ignoring the fact I insinuated what was said at the meeting would be out Thursday on the forum, I feel like I have let you all down and for that I’m sorry.
Just to add, this apology wasn’t asked for, it's something I feel is owed to you all.
Should someone have gone that could have stayed all evening? Ideally yes, although Paul (Boycie) was unavailable to attend. Since the formation of 2017 it has only been either myself or Paul that has attended, I didn’t feel it would be right to send someone new which in hindsight was the correct call, they may have also not been able to attend until the end of what I’m led to believe turned out to be almost a 4 hour long meeting, putting themselves unwittingly into a similar situation I have.
I know you are all frustrated, the accusations of attention seeking, sitting on information, teasing, trying to get more views, followers etc. and even censorship on the forum are simply not true, they come from people that do not know me or how the forum is run at all, which is disappointing hearing it said by members that have been on the forum for a number of years now.
Finally, I do want to say thank you to those who have sent supportive texts, PM’s, DM’s, tweets you name it over the last few days, despite asking to be given time, it’s you who I put the hours in for, I will learn from this and work on handling things better in the future.
I would also like to thank the moderators who have been trying their best to keep on top of the situation, without them this forum would have crashed and burned over the last few days so please be respectful to them, even if at times you do not agree with decisions they have made. 
David
 

Why can't this thread just praise Ebosele? Why does it have to double as a Jozwiak hate thread. Embarrassing. 

Agree about Ebosele but you're wrong about Jozwiak. He stepped up, was everywhere and linked defence with attack really well.

Fair play to the young lads for stepping up. Surprised more established players weren't up ahead of them, e.g Joz and Sibley, but can't complain with the quality of those penalties!
Good to get a win and go through, even if it is on penalties against League 2 Salford.
We'll probably have other fans ripping us on social media for our celebrations, but I would be happy to take any positive, uniting moments that come right now. As a club we certainly need them.

So why are they playing? Should be our starting 11 who had no preseason and need time together..

Blimey. And I thought I was a miserable sod.

First game in front of fans for a competitive game - he was no worse than anybody else he needs 10 games just like everyone else to settle down 

A point and a positive performance. Will definitely take that.

Don’t really get our obsession with Mengi. 
Look at what we’ve got in our own academy - Mengi may well turn out to be a better player than say Cashin, but at least Cashin is our player. Would much rather invest the time seeing what we can do with his potential than helping Utd. 
 
An exciting young forward / wide player on loan would be a different kettle of fish (as long as they’re not a no 10, not like we’re short of people who want to play down the middle!)

This weekend the eyes of the football world will be on the Rams. Absolutely no point in turning up to protest - that would just be a huge shot in the foot. The situation is what it is. Let's turn up, cheer and support WR and the players. 3 points from a win will give the players a huge boost; siege mentality, fans behind them, nothing to lose. We're in this together. If you can keep your head when all about are losing theirs and blaming it on you...

Are you referring to the aftermath of the Meeting with MM?
If so, I’d say all optimism has drained and realism has replaced it.
I don’t believe there’s any good news.
We need to get behind the players and WR because they’re going to need our support more than ever. 
 
#carcrashincoming

I remember when Jim Smith took over Derby, the fans were not positive then either.
Maybe this season will be a reset. Wage bill down and if the fans stick with us we may find that this time next season we will be on a more sound financial footing.
Who knows, along the way we may even enjoy watching some of our own youngsters progress through the ranks.
By a club of this stature, do you mean one that has been in The Championship for the last 13 years and, as it stands, is still in The Championship and on the same amount of points as every other team in the division?
I remember in the infamous 11 point season how our fans won admiration for being the 12th man, maybe it is time that we stepped up to the plate again rather than sitting here crying like spoilt little babies who cant get what we want.
After 17 months without being a match, I cannot wait to be back in Pride Park on Saturday getting behind whichever players pull on a Rams shirt. Unfortunately, I think there are plenty who have missed an opportunity to vent their anger who are equally excited.

WHAT?!
The club has already had my e-mail telling them I am cancelling my season ticket.
My Mel Morris out banner is ready for Saturday.
Why wait for a full report when you can spit your dummy out over 4 or 5 tweets from the Punjabi Rams?
I mean they must have managed to get most of the points from a 4 hour meeting into a few tweets surely?

So how will Morris being out of the club change that?
What negativity is coming out of the club? The only negativity I can see is coming from the fans. 
PS - forgot to say, all the best for the impending birth ?

Also, given our current situation anyone wanting Lawrence gone this summer needs their head looking at.

Born and bred in Perth Western Australia (1959), and have lived there all my life apart from a 3 year stint in Sydney during the mid 80's.
Started following Derby during the glory years of Brian Clough and was a huge fan of Charlie George and Frannie Lee. Have remained a fan ever since.
Only ever attended one game with my wife and that was against QPR away on a wet cold night with Shaun Barker scoring our equalizer.
We both still speak very fondly of the total football experience of going to and from the game on the train and chatting with so many people on the way to the ground and then to the same people on the way home.
COYR

Not necessarily.  Some Season ticket holders have already said that they are “ trying “ other seats, meaning the possibility of somebody not able to get the seat they paid for last season. I’m sure people trying these seats are not opting for cheaper ones. Sometimes you cannot be on line securing tickets as soon as they are released.  There seems to be a bit of “ so what, deal with it” going about, but if you sit with groups of family and friends and can’t get your seat it could be a big deal.  Some people pick seats related to the amount of stairs they can comfortably climb or an isle seat as they struggle to pass people, there are fans with OCD. Sometimes it’s not as simple as it is might seem to some.

Born in Hackney, London, live in Spain having never lived anywhere near Derby.
Derby born Father. ¨Son, you will support Derby County or leave the house¨
¨But Dad, I am only 5¨
 

Oh go on then Uttoxram, here goes.. Now living in Cornwall, i grew up in Ripley, where i spent my schooldays at Benjo`s in the 70s avoiding the Dirty and tree fans at lunchtime however when caught i would always reply when asked who i support  Derby, usually this led to a kicking as they were older, but then out off the mist i would hear the chant ossie enders and i was saved ( good days ) wouldnt happen today, so when i moved to Cornwall i joined the Andrew for 27 years which meant going to matches was hard, now finished in the navy, me and one of my converted sons will support the mighty rams for ever through good and bad times ( normally bad ) for ever
 
Best supporters in the world