eccles the ram

Well that's another season over. It's been extremely eventful, some good times, some bad times but football will continue no matter what. I know there has been contentious issues throughout the year. Poor officials, bad decisions, missed goalmouth opportunities but it's balanced out by the sheer euphoria of seeing my beloved team playing in a stadium fit for the Premiership. Gutted we didn't get in the playoffs but, in my heart of hearts, I think we would have struggled big time in the Championship with what the EFL have still imposed on us. We have the stability at the helm for once, we have a financial structure which we still need to adhere to (for the time being) and we have a manager who WILL get us out of this league sometime soon. August can't come quick enough for me. Will get me season ticket asap, will look forward to the fixtures coming out, and will turn up to bellow my support at PP and elsewhere. I will be a year older then, creeping towards my 70th birthday, but it's what I do. Football and anything to do with Derby County, is special to me and countless other thousands of DCFC fans. Very proud to be a Rams fan. Always was,always will be.UTR!

Well that's another season over. It's been extremely eventful, some good times, some bad times but football will continue no matter what. I know there has been contentious issues throughout the year. Poor officials, bad decisions, missed goalmouth opportunities but it's balanced out by the sheer euphoria of seeing my beloved team playing in a stadium fit for the Premiership. Gutted we didn't get in the playoffs but, in my heart of hearts, I think we would have struggled big time in the Championship with what the EFL have still imposed on us. We have the stability at the helm for once, we have a financial structure which we still need to adhere to (for the time being) and we have a manager who WILL get us out of this league sometime soon. August can't come quick enough for me. Will get me season ticket asap, will look forward to the fixtures coming out, and will turn up to bellow my support at PP and elsewhere. I will be a year older then, creeping towards my 70th birthday, but it's what I do. Football and anything to do with Derby County, is special to me and countless other thousands of DCFC fans. Very proud to be a Rams fan. Always was,always will be.UTR!

I touched on part of this in the match thread, and I am gutted to miss out although I feel like I'm less disappointed because of the circumstances. It's strange, if we'd completely capitulated and looked gutless, then I'd be fuming, but because it was down to an individual error/officiating error (again), it almost feels like well what could we do... We actually played really well, given the circumstances, deserved at least a point and showed a lot of fight. For me it's a lot different to previous seasons where we've just missed out on the top 6. I don't think "bottling" it comes into play this year. We just couldn't finish our chances, we could've won a hell of a lot more points without playing any better or any worse, just by putting away our chances. I also don't care what people say about bad decisions evening themselves out over a season, I think if someone did a case study on our season, it would show that's very far from the truth...
But other reasons to be positive:
- We'll have our first season in a long time where we can go into the pre-season with a bit of stability and certainty. We can look to build on the squad we do have with a manager who has had long enough to decide what we need to go up a level. It's not going to be perfect because of the circumstances we find ourselves under, but I think we should be in a much stronger position come August than we were last year. At least we won't have to wait another 2 months to know if we're going to be taken over, and start from scratch then. We won't have to miss out on signings and we can get started right now.
- The circumstances... we'll still be under the business plan, but we'll be into our last year. There's talk it'll be 'relaxed', Nixon (yes I know) has linked us to actually spending Great British Pound Sterling on a player, whether we will or not, when was the last time we even could?
- We're still a bigger fish in a smaller pond. I know we can't take anything for granted and big teams get 'stuck' down here. We have to take any opportunity we can to get out of this league BUT, we will be in a position where we are going to be a much bigger draw for players at this level than 90% of the opposition, and will be able to afford to pay them more too. In the Championship where we still have restrictions, I think we'd really struggle to build a squad and pick up results at the same time. I hope that just one more season at this level will set us up to have a much stronger future than a season of probably scrapping to stay up.
- Experience at this level. The novelty will have worn off a little, for us, and for the opposition, the first trips are mostly out of the way. We can learn from naivety, errors and mistakes made this season where we've dropped silly points. Wigan, Reading and Blackpool shouldn't pose as much of a challenge, the competition this year has been fierce. Wednesday getting 96 points and only finishing 3rd is crazy, the top 3 in League 1 are far stronger than the bottom 3 in the Championship this season in my opinion.
It's naturally disappointing to miss out however it happens, but I'm already looking forward to a busy summer and August rolling around again. It's been a long time since we've finished higher than 3rd in any division, wouldn't it be nice if this time next year that changes.

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Massive game. Start on the front foot straightaway as the crowd will be up for it. Really looking forward to what is THE defining match of a very enjoyable (mostly) season. Win and we are in the box seats, draw, we still have a chance. I am not contemplating anything else. Have a distinct feeling that this is the PENULTIMATE home game . In the South stand with my sprog instead of SW. Will be bouncing? You bet I will. From a very optomistic pensioner.Come on you rams!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

Yesterday's result was one which I did expect even through rose tinted glasses. I thought we may get a draw out of it before the match started but going in at half time still not having scored I thought there was an inevitability about the outcome. Despondent yes. Think we have blown our chances of the playoffs - possibly. However, we have 8 (and a very outside chance of 11 games) to go. But we have a team to support, a chairman who really does care about this great football club of ours, a fan base that most teams are envious of, and a manager who will eventually succeed given the time. We have been spoilt by that unbeaten run and, now we are struggling to maintain a top six finish. But we have somewhere to go to on a Saturday afternoon,somewhere to congregate and share our passion for DCFC. Quite a few people on here have really forgotten what deep despair we were in and whether we would have a club? If we get into the playoffs - fantastic achievement. If not then we go again next season. I will renew my season ticket when they come out. I will bellow my support. Life's too short for goodness sake. Let's get behind the lads again this Saturday and beyond. DCFC is still here (do you hear Gibson; Wycombe chairman, Florist fans etc.)  and we WILL be back where we belong soon. UTR!

As Dan Maskell was BBC's voice of tennis, John Motson was it's voice of football. Football has lost a giant sport icon! RIP John and condolences to all the family. ?

As Dan Maskell was BBC's voice of tennis, John Motson was it's voice of football. Football has lost a giant sport icon! RIP John and condolences to all the family. ?

As Dan Maskell was BBC's voice of tennis, John Motson was it's voice of football. Football has lost a giant sport icon! RIP John and condolences to all the family. ?

As Dan Maskell was BBC's voice of tennis, John Motson was it's voice of football. Football has lost a giant sport icon! RIP John and condolences to all the family. ?