HuddersRam

Just logged on to here after a long old day, and this has cheered me right up. Thank you @G_Kinkladze, @wixman1884, @Asheville Ram, you've made my day with these.

A couple of notable things - I was worried in the writing that I was painting Nigel accidentally as a villain, so I'm glad it's not come across in that way. Personally I wasn't his biggest fan in truth, but I wanted to make sure it was written as much down the middle as it possibly could be. 

@G_Kinkladze - Brys was fantastic. When I first told him how much of his time I'd like to steal (six hours in the end) he was a bit taken aback, but I think he was pretty glad to get a lot off his chest by the end. That entire side built by Clough and improved by McClaren couldn't have been any more forthcoming and helpful - great squad of people. 

Moneywise - well, I've now found out that authors barely make a jot ? Jeff Bezos though, raking it in! I've at least got some learnings for the next one, which I'll hopefully be able to announce soon!

On 27/05/2021 at 10:52, Woodley Ram said:

Ryan knows about this (sorry @HuddersRam) but I have a new book out, first and only one

The cover looks brilliant. Best of luck with everything, Stephen!

3 minutes ago, BramcoteRam84 said:

Peterborough at home was his first start so that’s probably what you were thinking.

I think a part of me had just tried to pretend that Peterborough away game didn't happen. Didn't we throw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2?

8 hours ago, Angry Ram said:

@HuddersRam Something is doing my head in and I may well be wrong but in the book you mention that Will Hughes made his debut at home against Peterborough. Was that not away at Peterborough? Pretty sure I was there that day..

You're bang on. Could try and save face by saying it should have read 'home debut', but I'd just be digging a bigger hole. Schoolboy error from me...

On 13/05/2021 at 22:04, ariotofmyown said:

Think the Bill Davies revelations were my favourite part...the revelations of how he built that band of brothers style squad.

My opinion of him definitely went up after reading it, whilst wondering if he went on to suffer with illness. That paranoia didn't sound healthy.

To be fair, I think Billy's situation has only got worse since us. As loved as he seemed to be by the squad, he was polarising in equal measure with them as well - some of which didn't make it into the final book.

Been trying to get an interview with him for three years - we persevere.

On 12/05/2021 at 11:40, BaaLocks said:

I think you could do a whole follow up called 'Tuesday 11th May' - there was enough went on to fill a few pages.

And I also want to know about the shared girlfriend, that one slipped by way too easily.

Thought I'd managed to handily avoid that one, was expecting it to be picked up sooner...

6 hours ago, Duracell said:

Reading this thread and I can't wait to read Pride II to find out what's actually going on.

Give me 20 years - I reckon we should just about have a bit of clarity by then.

52 minutes ago, Ramslad1992 said:

Could you ask Van der Laan and Igor what they’re doing on Saturday? 

Had a chat with Seth Johnson last week and asked him the same - he said he's happy to start on the bench if needed. Even with dodgy knees

Evening all - cautious to not even acknowledge that the current situation is a reality and not a dystopian nightmare, I'm working on a second book at the moment that will build off the back of Pride (available in all standard book stores, probably)

A few interviews deep now (The Mac is coming up shortly...) I just wanted to put it out there that if anyone has any questions for:

• Robin van der Laan
• Igor (no, really. I'm not sure how either)
• Spencer Prior

I'd love to be able to put a few to them during the conversations I've got planned. Feel free to either drop a post below or DM with anything you'd like me to ask them.

Here's to Saturday. I think. 

On 04/03/2021 at 14:23, Leicester Ram said:

So I finally got round to finishing Pride this week despite getting it months ago.

I first became aware of Pride last year when my girlfriend dropped into conversation that she’d dated a Derby fan before and that he was writing a book about the club. Now it’s come out to deservedly rave reviews and @HuddersRam is a bit of a star, I do wonder if I’d swap the girlfriend for the publishing deal. To be fair, she’s probably thinking that she’d definitely swap “Leicester Ram” for a ducking bestselling author.

I’ve always found it difficult consuming media/content about Derby because it’s something that I’m so passionate and opinionated about, I barely listen to any of the numerous DCFC Podcasts because they just end up pissing me off. I think it’s an incredibly hard job to be a Derby fan writing about the club because you are bound to ruffle feathers because we’re all so in love with Derby, which is why Pride is such a triumph. 

After initially flying through the first half of the book I flung it across the room halfway through the Zamora chapter and didn’t read it again for at least a month. It’s not something I’m usually bothered about and have been known to yell ZAMORA when hitting a volley but reliving that day in detail really re-emphasised how traumatic of an injustice it was.

When I started reading again the same thing happened with Mac II, that undeserved sacking still doesn’t sit right with me and that season was such a headache from start to finish that it makes for particularly grim reading. Mel having Pearson explain himself to him in his office was particularly cringe inducing and the book flew across the room once more.

Despite all that, it’s a masterpiece. I’m 24 so I’m most familiar with 2009 onwards and I learned so much about DCFC that I never knew before. I went in expecting to trudge through the 90’s and 00’s to get to the chaos of 2013-2020 but every chapter was simply a banger regardless of his familiar I was with whichever season it was covering. I think as a fanbase we’re incredibly lucky to have a book on the clubs history written at such a high standard. It’s packed with the inside scoops and details (that lesser writers would perhaps get bogged down with) but maintains a slick pace, all while artfully handling the multiple legal landmines surrounding the club. It’s somehow both a comprehensive history of DCFC and a page turning tragedy that you could easily finish in a day.

Ryan’s articles are also excellent, the interview he did with Lewin Nyatanga is well worthy of The Athletic/Independent etc. It shows how much brilliant stuff must have not even made it into Pride. I can’t recommend it enough: https://thederbybook.wordpress.com/2020/07/12/sitting-down-with-lewin-nyatanga/

I’ll forgive what I think is an egregiously generous treatment of Gary Rowett (his off brand trainers were poo long before he went to Stoke) and say that if you haven’t read it yet, order Pride on Amazon immediately. Reading it is an incredibly cathartic experience and it’s exciting to see there’s another book coming too.

Huge thanks to Ryan who I can confirm is a top bloke and really kindly hooked me up with a Bryson signed copy of the book for my uncle.

Apologies for not replying sooner mate! A mixture of travel nightmares back into Germany and working on something new has absorbed me. Well, that and our recent form anyway. Leicester Ram > Hudders Ram, everyday of the week. I'm not even in Hudders anymore, an absolute fraud.

That above post means the world. I was guilty of probably getting too absorbed in the book and boring everyone who will listen about it, and now it's six or so months since it went live, it seems a world away since the pre-Christmas excitement. But the above has taken me right back to it.

Articles wise, you've nailed it! I could honestly have made the book 800 pages or so if I'd included everything. Quickly realised my initial prediction of 80,000 words would barely take me past 2010. So it was good to actually do something a bit more focused on the people who gave up their time. People like Nyatanga and even Johnny Russell I struggled to squeeze into the book. Not because they didn't have anything interesting to say, because they did, but just because there was so much more chaos to get stuck into.

Thank you again mate. And apologies for what was probably a really poor signature in the book. Knew I should have practiced them first!

Working on something new as well which might interest a few of you on here. Will keep you all in the loop/bore you to tears with it soon enough. I promise this one is a bit more feel good though, if that's possible with Derby.

23 hours ago, DavesaRam said:

I managed to read it in just over 2 days over the Christmas week - yes, I know, its a bit “Johnny come lately”!

I actually bought a copy for my son. My wife and I had gone through one of those “what do you want for Christmas?” - “Dunno” - “What shall we get him?” - “Dunno” scenarios when I came across Pride, so I bought it, only for my wife to say “Look what I’ve got him”! ?.

So I quietly relegated it to birthday gift in March. Then I discovered that he’d bought the book for my Chrissy pressie - what a great son! He also dropped hints at his disappointment that the book wasn’t in his Christmas stocking! Ho hum!

It’s a great read, flows really well and generates a tremendous feeling of all of us being in this together, (unlike the Tory version of the phrase where we most definitely aren’t).

Some people have described the bad bits (should that be “lots”?) as painful, but to me it is all so real and enjoyable. I wish that there had been something this good about the Clough/Mackay years!

In the end, the book had brilliantly conveyed how Derby County has us all feeling like watching a Jim Smith / Mac 1 team ping 27 passes all over the pitch, ripping through the opposition, putting the striker through who scuffs his shot and the ball just slowly bobbles into the keeper’s hands.

Thanks for a superb piece of work, and here’s to many more. 

Thank you @DavesaRam! I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as possible. I really just wanted to get it across from a fan perspective as well and spoke to a few who have followed the club over the years to help with some of the prose, mainly so it wasn't any of my opinions in there.

A Clough/Mackay type of book would have been fantastic, although there are some good books out there on the subject if you've not given them a bash yet!

Massive thanks as well, @Philmycock! The trials and tribulations of Youl Mawene is a bit of a contrast to Ulyses, although I guess it's a natural next step, right?!

It's strange because I've read and enjoyed a lot of Derby books previously, but there are plenty of other clubs where there is almost no backlog of books on them. Even those unmentionables in red, there's barely a jot on them. Not that there's an audience for it, but still... I'm working on something new which I'm probably going to look to get some fan perspectives on, so I might be asking to borrow a bit of brainpower and memories of a few of you.

Just a quick one to say a massive thanks to everyone who has left a review on Pride (I know a few of you have, you charmers). Just broke the 200 review mark on Amazon, which is utterly mental.

Hope you all enjoyed it!

2 hours ago, The_Sheriff said:

Just finished the book. I have been reluctant to read it last few weeks because i knew the end was near and i just didn't want it to finish!

Reading books has never been my thing. Like mason mount and harry wilson i like my playstation (proof i have read it all ?) so for me to enjoy this book speaks volumes. 

Congrats @HuddersRam really impressive. I certainly feel proud to be a ram after reading it despite all the shanningans and pain we have all had to endure as fans.

I am sure you will keep the forum posted of any future releases which seems a possibility reading this thread.

COYR

Thank you, Sheriff!

Hopefully Pride has inspired the reader in you! There's a lot of decent reads out there. I've read a couple of the Clough biographies since Christmas which I'd absolutely recommend if you fancy them. And yeah, watch this space. Expected Pride to be a one-off and then I'd go back to my evenings of bad TV and the Xbox, but it's inspired me a bit!

Thanks again ?

2 hours ago, Stive Pesley said:

Got this for xmas and it's just made it's way to the top of the reading pile. Currently half way through the Nigel Clough years and to be honest it's making me fall out of love with football even more than I was doing already

I should stress that I can't fault the writing, all really well told and the contributions of the interviewees are brilliant - just that it's made me realise how much terrible stuff we've been through and how much I'd blotted out. I'm genuinely thinking that the last 20 years of being a Rams fan has given me some kind of mild PTSD!

It's a compelling read for sure, but the best analogy I can come up with is it's like eating a big McDonalds. I really enjoy it at the time, but afterwards I feel a bit dirty and fat and wonder why I did it. If someone was to then take me behind the scenes and explain what really went on, from the way they treat the animals all the way through to their final journey into my mouth I know I would be sickened

But all this is my problem, not the author's. If it was fiction, you'd say it was too far-fetched!

Genuinely interested to know Ryan if you feel closer to the club as a result of your incredible journey writing the book or whether you shared some of the same feelings I have about it all once you'd seen what went on behind the curtain?

 

 

 

 

That's a really interesting point Pes and a good question that I've not really thought about. It's difficult to know because of the lockdown and the fact none of us have been able to actually be physically there in a year, but I absolutely agree with that McDonalds analogy.

It's not to do with the football or the players or anything, it's just the almost constant lack of comfort around the club which, when I stitched it all together, was almost fictional over such a long period of time. It just doesn't seem real in an odd way at the moment I think. On the last page I make the point that we just need normality, and to be honest, I'd gladly take that over a promotion, turmoil, millions spent and relegation.

Hopefully it's not just the book which has made you feel that way! I am working on something at the minute which is going to be a lot more upbeat, which should hopefully help that void!

Might set up a hotline for the book in the same way they do after serious topics on TV. If you've been affected by Derby County...

6 hours ago, LeedsCityRam said:

Just finished it. Its not just a very good book about Derby County, its a bloody good football book full stop. If you haven't bought it, you're missing out.

@HuddersRam that is a seriously impressive writing debut. The 25 years absolutely come to life with the extensive cast of characters recalling the events at the time but that's really well interwoven with wider narrative of the circumstances of the club & footballing world at the time. A very well paced book too with lots of detail on the move to PP, a lot of focus on 2002-2006 and the outstanding job that George Burley did (something that I feel gets often overlooked compared to McClaren in 13/14) and not excessive space given to the last 2/3 seasons.

Extra kudos to Adam Pearson & Peter Gadsby for contributing to the book - Gadsby's recollections in particular really valuable in fleshing out the greed & subsequent removal of the Three Amigos & the madness of Billy Davies. 

Obviously we all think our club is special or unique but there is something peculiarly self-destructive about Derby that marks us out as a bit of a special case. The constant turmoil, lack of continuity & financial mismanagement is a recurring theme - its telling that the quietest period is also the biggest improvement as Nigel Clough rebuilt the squad to have a serious tilt at promotion. Entirely typical of us to squander it 2.5 years after he left. The closing part of the book touches on this recurring theme - does it make us the club we are or is it the millstone round our neck? Not sure.

Like Cameron Jerome rightly said....'Don't you think Derby's a weird club?'

Had my heart in my mouth for a second there when I read 'Its not just a very good book', so I've calmed now! Thanks so much @LeedsCityRam& @Pearl Ram. I'm glad you enjoyed Pride! It's absolutely spurred me on to some new ideas. Can't announce anything yet (because I haven't actually written a word of them) but I'm working with the publishers on two new books which might be of some interest...watch this space.

Gadsby was fantastic to speak with. Of course some people had a little bit of a tinted memory on their time at the club, but Gadsby was interesting purely because a lot of what he told me contradicted some of the other stories I was told. Not in a negative way, just things like his take on Billy compared to the squad, complete polar opposites. Was a lovely chap though. Pearson too was good. I tried to get Mel but didn't manage to get anything tied down. Spoke over email with Jeremy Keith as well but he only wanted to contribute in case he was slandered at any point. There were a couple of Murdo Mackay bits which had to be removed as well before publication, following a check from the legal teams!

Interesting point, Pearl! I know he's done a couple of podcast interviews recently, so he might have addressed them there perhaps. Not had a chance to listen yet.

3 hours ago, Woodley Ram said:

so Ryan, have you started your next book.....to Sheikh or not to Sheikh...Derby in the 2020's 

I'm making notes. The decade has started absolutely in tune with the last two, so there's potential there I reckon

1 hour ago, ot-dcfc said:

@HuddersRam Congrats on the book. It made it on to the Christmas list after reading about it on here. Finished it in 2 and a half days, and safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

As great as all of the books covering our glory days are, it was great to finally read about a time period that I have lived through and supported the Rams.

Especially living outside of the Derby area, there’s a lot of info and stories (3 amigos for example) that wouldn’t have been covered by my local news at the time, and that I simply had very little knowledge of. (There was even limited internet coverage on us in those days unless you were to really dig deep enough).

Funnily enough, an ex player from Nigel’s years is now dating a close friend of mine. I passed on the message that he got a brief mention in the book and he was thrilled to pieces to even be acknowledged. I told him to buy a copy.

Anyway, thanks for writing and I certainly hope that by the release of the next edition we have finally made it to the PL.

I am going to scrupulously go through every former player mentioned from Nigel's day to work out who it is. Give us a clue.

Thank you for the feedback - really appreciated!

On 19/01/2021 at 01:09, IslandExile said:

I've already given my "review" FWIW but I just wanted to pick up on a few people saying they're "enjoying" reading it. I'm just not sure "enjoy" is the right word for reflecting on the period in question.

It's an excellent book, well researched with a balanced perspective, a must read for any Derby fan and of interest to football fans in general.

But I'd say, as a Derby fan, it's a tough read. Not the writing, that is exemplary, but going through the events of the past 20 odd years.

It's mostly been a very difficult period in the club's history, with very little success. There have been high points in that time, sure, but the book mostly catalogues a series of troubles, mistakes, wrong turns, missed opportunities and heartbreaks.

I'm sure supporters of other clubs may say the same thing, but I think it's hard being a Derby fan and this past 20 years has been especially difficult.

Ok, that all said, @HuddersRam has done an absolutely brilliant job of documenting this era.

Let's hope the next 20 years brings joy, success and football to make us all proud. COYR ?

Apologies for the long old delay in replying mate. Yeah, enjoying is maybe not the suitable word considering everything we've been through in that 20 years.

Obviously I spent loads of time working on it, but hearing the takes of different people almost made different seasons even more depressing in a way - the 'what if' moments like Zamora, McClaren, 04/05 PO's, hearing from the people there just made the realisations of where we could have gone, well, just that bit grimmer.

Hopefully we can look back at those years and laugh, eventually. Glad you 'enjoyed' it, though!

And great to hear @Premier ram. The feedback means an awful lot, a big thank you for reading.

7 hours ago, Nuwtfly said:

Having started this yesterday, it is fair to say that I am absolutely flying through it at the moment. Just finished The Clough Years: Part 2. 

Perhaps its the ease of the prose or just the genuine intrigue of reliving my lifetime as a supporter, but I have truly enjoyed reading this book. An absolute beaming smile shot across my face on the reminder of Robbie Savage's "Ain't nobody" videos.

Thank you, @HuddersRam- I needed reminding of why I fell so madly in love with Derby County, and your book is doing it for me, sir.

Big effort that, Nuwt. Yeah for the most part I've just ran with the way the interviewees actually spoke, which was just a method I enjoyed doing to be honest.

Glad the book could bring a bit of enjoyment back! Probably best to not read the final paragraph where I say we should take a leaf out of Sheffield United's book - it's not aged well.

Great to hear you enjoyed it as well, NG2!

4 hours ago, If we shoot we might score said:

Just finished it. Absolutely brilliant book.  Loved it !

I’d forgotten some of the shocking players we have had to endure over the years !

Thank you @If we shoot we might score, glad you enjoyed!

Absolutely agreed @angieram - it's Derby County, so it struggles to be that 'feel good' at times ?

2 hours ago, hintonsboots said:

Absolutely brilliant book. Got it for Christmas and just finished it. Defo room for a sequel with all the current shenanigans. Chapter 2 must be Abu Derby County ⚽️⚽️

Thank you @hintonsboots, glad you enjoyed it! Had a couple of recommendations so far: we've had Pride, but a follow up of Fall seems applicable right now.

On 12/01/2021 at 20:09, Philmycock said:

Great read. Loved it.

Jim Wheeler seems a prat. Some bloke who's name he forgot. It's Greg Lake mate, prat.

Thanks mate! Haha, Jim was a star! Don't think he anticipated having to call the club into action again already, but here we are.

Big thank you to everyone who has left a review on Amazon or any other review suitable site. Almost at 150 reviews now, which has massively surpassed what I expected

I'll be blunt, I'm quite glad it was finished and published before the calamity of this season. Not only would it be a torturous affair, but it would probably be another 100 pages of despair.

7 hours ago, Phoenix said:

Hi Hudders

A great read. Could't put it down. Although almost all the events are still pretty clear in my memory, the background to them was quite a revelation (for the most part, anyway).

Interesting the different take on different managers by different players. The reactions to Clement and Pearson also surprised me.

Sam Winnall (excellent name), I'd forgotten all about him.

Great stuff!

Thanks @Phoenix, glad you enjoyed it mate! Yeah the Pearson reaction surprised me a lot. I thought some of them might have just been playing it safe in what they said to begin with, but the more I heard from, the better he seemed!

20 hours ago, The_Sheriff said:

Really enjoying it so far. Maybe a spoiler thread about it can be made so we can discuss the amazing inside stories of what went on in our precious club.

Thanks Sheriff, glad you're enjoying! Yeah I've toyed with the idea of it but didn't want to throw too much about the book on here for fear of spam. If people think it would be worth it though, I'd be happy to start one off.

And @IslandExile, my very brief cameo is here (about halfway through) https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1609506000/1609509600/

On 05/01/2021 at 00:57, IslandExile said:

I have finally finished this excellent book. Congratulations @HuddersRam, you should feel very proud of yourself for capturing the turmoil of these past 20 odd years.

As I read it, I had in mind that phrase "never meet your heroes". And, though I'd heard stories about Nigel, Mel and others previously, I was still saddened to see them confirmed.

However, as others have previously said, I think you presented a very well balanced account, reflecting all sides of each argument and allowing the reader to make up their own mind.

I am sure there have been behind the scenes shenanigans at many clubs through the years, certainly even at ours (Clough-Longson, Maxwell etc); yet they're even more in the public eye now than ever before. Even so, it's difficult to imagine such a long period of turmoil for one club to endure.

Like everyone else, I long for the days when all the talk is about the football. We had snippets of that under Mac1 and then Lampard, but the longest period we've had in recent history was the early years under Jim.

I hope we can get back to that fun and excitement - on the pitch - again soon.

Thank you so much, @IslandExile. It was a long old route to get there but I've never enjoyed working on anything more, even if there weren't many high points to relive!

Yeah I will confess I went in with some of my own opinions on the likes of Nigel and was sad to see them confirmed by some of those he didn't get on with at all. Same goes the other way though, there were people I went into not a huge fan of who have completely changed my perception.

Here's to some more football and a little bit less mayhem.

And thank you @S8TY! I was a tad nervous but hopefully I didn't ramble on too much!