Grimbeard

Or:
Cattle die,
Kinsmen die.
You yourself must oneday die.
But a noble name will never die
If good reputation one gets.
                                         The  Havamal

Why has my screen gone all blurry?

Why has my screen gone all blurry?

Or:
Cattle die,
Kinsmen die.
You yourself must oneday die.
But a noble name will never die
If good reputation one gets.
                                         The  Havamal

“Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken?” - Terry Pratchett (GNU)
B4 is still with us while we remember his optimism.
 
Be more B4! 

I have the highest respect for your opinion . Mine is - I think Paul  Warne is a better human being than Wazza and Mac put together .

We went into a spiral of financial meltdown, laughing-boy.
Caused, in part, by idiots howling for a new manager time after time - on two occasions after fewer than 10 games. Each severance came with its own raft of huge payoffs, and each appointment brought with it a call for more players to suit the new manager's 'style'. Eventually, the purse-strings snapped, and the fan running the show and so eager to please everyone walked away - not broke, but broken to the tune of around a quarter of a billion.

Not that it really means anything but Rotherham were relegated by 4pts in the 2018/19 season and by 2pts in the 2020/21 season.  Last season PW left them towards the end of September in 8th place and they managed to stay up with 50pts.  This season, their first full season without PW in a long time, they are currently a massive 20pts adrift at the bottom.
Normally wage budget is a good indicator of where you'll finish at the end of the season and Rotherham prove this time and again.  Didn't Nigel Clough hail Burton Albions success at remaining in the Championship for one his greatest achievements?  I don't know what Rotherhams Lg1 budget is like compared to the rest, but for PW to get them promoted 3x (and us 1x hopefully!) and keep them in contention throughout a Championship season shouldn't be underestimated imho.
I did say that normally wage budget is a good indicator of where you'll finish, but I think the circumstances of us coming out of administration counter that argument a little.  Did LR have a choice of player or did he just get who was available?  PW came in and inherited a squad of older players that needed to be managed and younger players that needed time to grow - one of his first interviews highlighted a lack of players in their prime.  
During his time with us his hands have been tied financially and he's managed an injury prone squad to the brink of automatic promotion.  I personally think if we go up at the weekend we're ahead of schedule.  Next season would have been his first legitimate attempt with a bit of financial muscle - hence DC giving him a 4yr deal.
Next season is going to be tough, we aren't an Ipswich who built a squad over several seasons and just need to add a few players to go again.  Its another rebuild with limited funds, we were warned at the recent Fans Forum that we'd be looking for stability first and foremost and to me that means just avoiding relegation next season.  Unless we get some outside funding I won't be shouting for PWs head at Christmas if we're struggling.  Bottom 6 at the end of the season would be a good building block to kick on from if we've got a core of players we can then add to. 
We're not throwing money around risking our existence like we used to.  Slow, steady and realistic progress is the way forwards.

Sadly this will be my last match today. My first was in 1956 as a 13year old, My dad used to take me before that but he stopped going when we went down to the third division north. My mate and I would catch the 12 oclock bus from Melbourne and be the first in the ground. We stood in the Normanton end pigeon loft, I think it was 3 shilling. To this day I remember that team. We were champions in 1957 and I ran onto the pitch after the last match against Southport, Ray Straw scored 37 goals that season, The next ten years saw me start work, get married and have two children, I had moved to Derby, and after my family, the Rams were the most important thing in my life I never missed a home game in those ten years even though we were only an average second division side. And then in 1966 after England won the world cup my mate and I decided to have a season ticket, Little did we know what would happen that season, I was at work one day and a Rams supporting work mate told me we had signed a player from Bradford Park Avenue, his name was Kevin Hector I'd never heard of him but he was without doubt the most wonderful footballer to grace the Baseball Ground I had ever seen, and because of this we wanted to see more players like him which led to Tim Ward getting the sack and BC becoming Manager, what followed was ten years of unbelievable success and enjoyment. And then things started to go wrong off and on the pitch and I stopped being a season ticket holder during Peter Taylors time as manager, i still loved The Rams of course and when I turned 65 and retired my old mate from Melbourne and I bought season tickets again. But sadly covid left my best friend of 80 years with a dementia problem and he know no longer knows me. For the last two seasons I have been going alone to the match but its just not the same for me. Therefore I am calling it a day, as I write this I am welling up as I will do this afternoon. Thank you Derby County for every thing I will love you till I die.     

Oof. Why do messages to someone I’ve never met, from people I don’t know, and thanks from a sibling who is a stranger to me - make me sob like a child?! 
 
When the Rams are up this afternoon - this should be recorded as Daniel’s day forever more.
#bemoreB4 ❤️

Good luck for this afternoon, I hope you get it over the line for a number of reasons, and the odds are in your favour.
I hope you don't mind an outsider saying this, and I'm sure you all know this, but regardless of any euphoria or disappointment tomorrow, you'll all still be proud supporters - as b4 was, and is. As someone who read on here for a while before I registered/posted and saw lots of his comments when you were in a bad place;  I stand by the fact that whoever we support, we could all do well by being a bit more like him, when it comes to our clubs.

I was at Belper Cinema tonight and the lady working there mentioned she used to work at Derbion Cinema.
I said you must know Daniel then. She smiled for half a second, remembered he had passed, then shed a tear. Within seconds she was smiling again but still with moist eyes.
She told us how positive, optimistic and lovely he was and how great he was at his job. He was her favourite workmate.
At this point I may have had some grit in my eye.
I think Daniel has made us all tearful as we smile at his memory and I dare say many of us will look to the sky at 2.30 tomorrow, with that same bit of grit in our eye.
I've never been so confident before a match in my life, as the very briefest thought of us not doing this for B4, hasn't once crossed my mind.
 
 

Please stop chopping onions on the forum, it's playing havoc with my eyes for some reason.

Dear Daniel,
I know you've been doing quite a lot of work up there over the past few weeks, in helping us get to the position we find ourselves in.  I understand if you had a night off when we played Northampton, you were probably too busy having a cuppa with Sir Brian & Reich Carter, but if you can see your way clear to have an unconscious word in each of the lads' ears before they step out onto the pitch at 12:25, to be the bravest, best versions of themselves for the next 90 odd minutes we'll all be eternally grateful.  And if we manage to get what we need, you'll be up there, waving your flange with gusto and cheering them on with the rest of us.
🫶

Great video. Starts with Clowes who still deserves all our gratitude and then at the end the rare sight of a positively
joyous  smiling  Paul Warne Respect to him for doing what only the better managers achieve by having success at more than one club.

Damn 😋
*Cancels Opta stats subscription and How To xG Classes...

Hurrah

PG Wodehouse from the directors box.
Ah, what ho! A jolly sight indeed unfolded at the hallowed grounds of Pride Park this fine day! One could scarce imagine a scene more befitting of the grandeur and splendor of a Gatsby-esque soiree, with fans cascading into the stadium like confetti, filling it to the rafters with their boundless enthusiasm. And lo, amidst the throng stood towering figures of Derby lore, Igor Stimac and Roy McFarland, resplendent as generals at the side of David Clowes, the club’s saviour, who basked in the adulation of the faithful like Caesar himself, hailed by the masses for his Herculean efforts in saving and guiding the club to the dizzying heights of the Championship!
On the verdant pitch, a veritable symphony of skill and finesse unfolded before our very eyes. A laser-focused strike from the departing Bird, akin to the graceful brushstroke of a master painter, found its mark with unerring precision, while Collins, with the poise and elegance of a seasoned virtuoso, seized upon a knockdown from the indomitable Bradley, who ascended into the heavens like a tattooed Rudolph Nureyev, his every movement a testament to the divine artistry of the beautiful game.
As the final whistle echoed across the grounds, heralding the sweet symphony of victory, a jubilant frenzy ensued, with fans spilling onto the pitch in a glorious display of unbridled exuberance. Oh, to behold such a spectacle would surely have left even the most stoic of gentlemen in a state of rapturous delight! And amidst the joyous tumult, Adams, Sibley, and Cashin, lifted high upon the shoulders of adoring supporters, stood as titans amongst men, their names destined to be etched into the annals of footballing legend.
Truly, it was a day of unparalleled magnificence, orchestrated with masterful finesse by the bobble-hatted maestro and his esteemed comrades-in-arms. In the grand tapestry of sporting triumphs, this day shall forevermore be remembered as a shining beacon of glory for the illustrious Rams of Derbyshire

Big screen as well

I love this team. A mix of our own boys who first kicked a ball with us when they really were just boys. Then through adversity and effort became men. Then the old stagers in the sunset of careers, along with a charging bull who said our field was his home, Then a loan player with infectious grit, humour and energy. An aging, bloody minded unfashionable striker who did what he was supposed to do silencing his critics. They became a team over 18 months with reserves of fortitude reinforced by a manager who understands character and what makes good people.
Well that was alright wasn’t it ! Thank you Max, wonderful parting gift (pssst you can change your mind if you want )
Did you see Collo in the first half asking the east stand what the Bolton score was ? 
Sibs played a blinder, NML’s touch is pretty ropey sometimes but Inam so glad he’s one of ours. Bradley came good with that knock down. Ebou ! What can you say ? Engine room, guts, effectiveness - sign him up. Wilson with a haircut like a 1950’s schoolboy had their RB on toast, with sprinkles and Worcester sauce. When are we building Nelson a new column ? 
 
Oh and why did we let their No 33 own the edge of the box on every corner ? Meh … who cares right now ! 
 
What a lovely day COYR … see you all in the transfer thread then  🤣

So many thoughts and emotions at the moment.
I went into Derby to watch the huge, noisy, smoky crowd as they wended their way through the town. Flags galore and a positive, good-natured feel to the occasion. I was excited but dreadfully apprehensive about the final score. The energy from the crowd just had to lift the team and carry them over the line... surely? What could possibly go wrong?🤔
I listened to the match on Radio Derby. Once we had scored 2 goals I started to relax and enjoy the game a bit more.
When our lovely Max Bird went off I felt so proud of him, so sad to see him leave us and worried in case he was about to regret his decision to leave.
It wasn't one of our greatest games but it was bound to be a nervy game. Our opposition had nothing to play for and we had everything. Perhaps the players knew that if we won, their holidays in the sun had begun!
So sad that B4 wasn't with us physically to celebrate this wonderful party but I really hope that he is celebrating somewhere. I loved the 'Be More B4' displays round the ground. It reminded us of what a smashing guy he was.
I loved all the scenes of the players after the match, being carried on shoulders, celebrating with families. Their relief was palpable and so well deserved. Well done to them all for achieving this promotion and well done to every single member of staff connected with the club.
I felt proud of Paul Warne for what he has achieved. He is a nice guy and I like him. Whether or not he can take us all the way, I am grateful for what he has done so far, for his passion for the club and for his care of the players. I felt very happy for him today. He has brought a good ethos to our club which I'm sure was part of David Clowes plan.
After everything we have been through over the last 2 years, the sadness, the uncertainty, the anger, we have achieved promotion and tonight Derby fans will go to bed feeling very drunk, ecstatic, full of positivity for next season or may be apprehensive. I think our club is in good hands and I am so grateful for David Clowes for getting us to this place. He loves this club and I am so grateful and reassured that he will not take any risks with this club which he loves as much as we do.
Sleep well tonight, fellow rams. Like I said, it has been a day of so many emotions, but tonight is joyous and a time for some fizzy!! X
 
 
 
 

Pompey fan here -- many congratulations on your promotion! Very will deserved imho, classy club, classy fans. Best of luck next season and look forward to locking horns with you next time round.

Can someone kidnap Adams and tell Cardiff he went MIA at the end of the game!
That boy is a Ram!