eccles the ram

With the news of Festy leaving confirmed, it brings home just how hard and long we have been punished as a club. The 21 point deduction is severe in itself but the restrictions placed on us in terms of making new signings and offering new contracts to existing players is destroying our club further.
It goes way beyond this season. It has made survival in the Championship nigh on impossible, made it harder for us to find a buyer and even if we are eventially taken over, with a potential 15 point deduction, the possibility of a new manager and a scratch team, we face an uphill struggle next season too. And that's the favorable outcome.
The EFL, the idiot chairmen at Middlesbrough and Wycombe and all the trolling Florist/Leeds/Boro and other teams (so-called) fans have further tried to push us over the edge.
I just want this to be over now. I'd be a liar if I said this hasn't lowered my mood. The continued worry about the loss of something you have loved for the majority of your life is draining. I'm sure many of you feel the same. Please make this finish. Please can we have a PB  by Friday and at least start on the journey in rebuilding our beloved Rams.

I think "most people" who don't understand football regard Derby County as not important.
Unfortunately the most people are the ones that support the so called big teams that have become big by the most people and the most people pay the most money to watch their big teams that have the most buyers to buy their team that has the most players all loaned out to smaller teams that eventually have to give back these players to the big teams where they become bigger players and earn bigger wages and the most people discuss these big teams all the time on all the big media stations and the big money gets bigger and bigger as the big teams get to play all around the world in brand new cup competitions so the most people get to become even more, and even more and whilst the big teams get bigger and bigger, then the little teams become littler and littler and get eaten up by most people who are far too greedy, far too selfish, far too oblivious, arrogant, ignorant too even notice little Bury FC.............and then down the chain comes along little Derby County the worst team in the Premier League, because that's all they know or want to know thesedays or what they are spoonfed from our media channels about little Derby County. Even when the football killers Sky Sports rolled up into little Derby for the Birmingham City game their cameras missed our 10,000 protest march, because it was more important for them to show Neil Warnock telling their most people audiance that pay big money to watch it, how Neil Warnock thinks Wayne Rooney will not get an easier job, then managing Derby County this season! Absolute Crass! a manager that said on the radio, how he would love the Watford job, as they sack you after 3 months and you receive a very nice pay off...........Absolute Crass!
Yeah I love the underdog. I love Derby County.........but I'm not most people, I'm one of not many, but Derby County are important to some people and that is good enough for me!
Unfortunately.........we are not that important........to most people!
Eat the rich.....feed the poor.
Fight War Not Wars.
 

I think part of our downfall was linked to Mel Morris's love of a headline because the media tends to be obsessed with the PL, & in particular, with a select coterie of clubs/the elite. It's not that we don't matter, it's that the media appear to think the public are only interested in certain clubs associated with success, glamour (star players) & a history of winning trophies - bypassing the rest. 
Mel Morris wanted to be part of this rarefied world, thinking throwing his largesse would bring success. He tried to generate his own headlines through a succession of high-profile appointments: Paul Clement, Carlo Ancelotti's assistant; Nigel Pearson; & Lampard. Sacking managers regularly when things didn't go to plan ensured we stayed newsworthy. Big money signings brought attention. The EFL have done us great damage, but Morris also sought to antagonize them. Conflict with other owners. He did not seem able to run the club in an efficient, low-key manner.
The fact is that Mr Morris enjoyed the limelight, featuring on broadcasts like 'TalkSport'. How many club chairman/owners in the Championship can you name? Darragh MacAnthony, though I think he tends to be quite interesting in what he says, and he has shown loyalty to managers. He can't be that bad a person to work for if two managers opted to return. I think the situation at Hull is interesting because they appear to have been taken over by someone who enjoys a headline or two befitting a media mogul. 
The truth is, clubs like Derby, and Norwich for example, have to be managed in a different way from the elite. They are provincial clubs as opposed to the big metropolitan teams, London with its expensive real estate. It is bitterly disappointing to see owners queue up to buy Chelsea with its £28m a month wage bill, two months of which practically cover what we owe in debt, & nobody stepping forward to aid one of English football's tradition clubs. Why is this?
Are we any the less bigger than West Ham, who appear to have gone on to another level? They have exploited the situation regarding the London Stadium, enabling to increase ticket sales whilst paying an agreed fixed rent, if correct. 

Morning Rams, A Hatter in peace here. First of all, may I say how the majority of you have handled the points deduction has been great to see. I can assure you that us Hatters know what it's like to have been screwed over by the EFL and the FA. I must admit I'm a bit concerned today that our run will come to an end and you will grab the three points. Great to see Curtis Davies is still so loved at Derby. He was an exceptional young player when he was with us and im Glad he continues to do well. All the best in your fight against the so called authorities and with the exception of today all the best for the season. 

Just landed Gatwick for the game tomorrow,  have the scarf hanging on bag as ususl ....
The amount of ... And I quote ...
"I hope you f@#king do it!"  Is Over 20 plus so fatn from airport staff, passengers to railway commuters 
Up the rams 

Tame Millwall fan here. I have posted before, but not for a while. 
I enjoyed the game last night, mainly because you got it on, unlike Blackburn Rovers! Seriously though, as football fans, we all know the epicaricacy or 'schadenfreude' nature of the game's culture... and last night was a classic example. It was interesting and enjoyable to see a large crowd gather to get behind their city's only professional team so passionately, as their young and patched up side gallantly tries to overcome the huge obstacle of a 21 point deduction. I mean that by the way. I am not taking the Michael. This sense of spectacle was heightened by the fact that I was one of the 514 band of followers of perhaps the most unfashionable football club in England, managed by a disliked former Derby manager and containing some unpopular former 'Rams'. 
I think once the disappointment of losing what on paper looked like a winnable home match dissipates for you, you will be once again be filled with pride and no little hope - as Rooney and your players are doing an amazing job. I see some are already in that place. As others have pointed out, your young side came up against a very experienced and well-drilled defence last night. However, it must also be noted, that the reason we 'celebrated like we had won the league', is because we are going through our own injury crisis, and are also having to field a lot of young players, including a 15 year old! 
I also take issue with being called 'tin-pot'. Yes, we are a small club at Championship level, but I would not say we are tin-pot. I associate 'tin-pot' with clubs with no real character, history or romance. The sort of club whose fans sing the same old generic songs as everyone else - thankfully I have never heard a Millwall crowd sing a generic football chant like 'Everywhere We Go' or 'Easy' etc. etc. In fact, because of our strong sense of identity and character, I have only ever heard us sing very Millwall centric songs - NOLU, Let Em Come, Millwall to different tunes. 
Furthermore, Millwall have a rich and proud history - pioneers of professional football in London and the South no less. The only club able to challenge the dominance of the northern and midlands sides in the late Victorian era in football's oldest competition - the FA Cup. In fact, this is the reason Millwall are the only senior football club in English football to earn their nickname through footballing endeavour and achievement! Formerly the 'Dockers', Millwall were christened the 'Lions of the South' by the national press, after giving the likes of Aston Villa (the best club side of the Victorian era), Everton, Preston NE and yes, Derby County, bloody noses in the cup! 
Moreover, I was first taken to The Den by my granddad and uncle in 1985. By my maths, in the 37 seasons that have followed, Millwall and Derby County have played at the same level in 23 of them. That hardly suggests that going by endevours on the pitch, that Derby County are a vastly superior outfit. In fact that reflects rather poorly on Derby County, who represent a whole city and since Chesterfield have slipped out of the Football League, are the only representative for the whole of Derbyshire playing top level football. Whereas Millwall have to compete with some of the biggest clubs in world football in Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United (spit) only a tube ride away, plus the likes of Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic on our doorstep. I would argue that rather than being 'tin-pot', we are a very well-run club that gets the most out of its resources, allowing us to be a humble but proud second tier battler that no-one likes playing at The Den or in the cups. That may not be 'ambitious', but what's the alternative? Chase the dream like Derby County? 
That leads me on to Gary Rowett. Many Millwall fans are not enamoured with him either. You are correct, sometimes the football is painful. But needs must. Again, I take issue with it being 'typical' Millwall. From my time supporting the club Millwall have always been an aggressive and direct team yes, but in a positive way. That is to say, taking the game to the opposition, especially at The Den. However, Rowett is a dour pragmatic manager. That isn't Millwall, more like Charlton! But, times have changed, the Championship is full of big city clubs with regional level support like Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United etc, all wanting to get into the promised land, as well as clubs like Bournemouth and Fulham, their pockets filled with the filthy lucre of parachute payments. Millwall currently need to keep their heads down and become more and more entrenched, like a tick in the Championship beast and hope we get a lucky season like Burnley or Huddersfield Town did, or even the jammiest of jammy clubs - Crystal Palace! 
Also, the club hierarchy are quite happy for a steady ship, as their main concern is this: https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/millwall-reveal-plans-for-stadium-redevelopment/
The opportunity to develop land around The Den, which would allow us income streams to compete seriously for promotion. If and when it gets given the green light (Lewisham Council has already approved the adjoining Renewel development), then I would imagine Huski will fully takeover the club and maybe our ambitions will increase. Until then, it is all aboard the keep it steady Rowett Express! 
Okay, if you bothered to read all that, I will sign off by genuinely wishing you well... because as football fans of a grand old club like Derby County, you certainly do not deserve what you have been through! Even if you do not win this battle, I am positive you will bounce back stronger for it! Good luck. 

No I don’t mean our captain Tom in Madrid ?
i have followed  the Rams for just over 50 years and at the minute I am struggling to think of many times like this where the whole club and fans are united as one. The noise in and outside the stadium is unbelievable at the moment and has been all season really.would it be the same with any other manger in the hot seat no. I just can’t wait for each game at the moment 
United we stand 
 
 

Well I was supposed to be at a church business meeting tomorrow night, but have been told by both the pastor and by my wife that I must go to the football instead.
On occasion it is rather nice doing as you are told!

Oh, just one more, for those who have forgotten the tune (earworm init!)... ?
 
 

Really enjoying matches this season. Great atmosphere. Never say die attitude by the players. Very few fans leaving early. Even if it had finished 0-0 yesterday, still the matches are fun. Maybe it’s the escapism from the off field drama, maybe it’s watching a team giving everything and being mentally tough for a change, maybe it’s Rooney and maybe it’s the appreciation of the club and the match day experience especially after covid. Possibly it’s the good home form as well. Fewer people moaning, more encouragement even when we are losing or not playing well. We also are witnessing young players playing with determination and fight... thrown in at the deep end but looking assured already- Ebosele Plange and Cashin, and last season Bird and Knight. 
Hope we pull off a miracle, maybe we can if away form improves- up against it, especially the Injustices faced against EFL and Boro. I know Morris mismanaged a lot but there has definitely been a strong desire by other powers to see Derby punished beyond what is fair. 
Lost 9 or 10 players this season. This club deserves a good owner after all its going through. 
love the fight til the end spirit. 

It is. I’ve never known an atmosphere like the last 5 at Pride Park today. Boincing. The whole ground absolutely buzzing. IF we pull this off, it will be  unbelievable scenes. I chuffin love it!! Jammied first class on the train, even that was rowdy as. The togetherness between players and fans is something I’ve not experienced before. Long May it continue! Allez Allez Allez… 

I for one am absolutely loving it. The connection between club, players and fans has never been stronger. Last minute goals help too! 

This is why I go to football matches. This....... just this! The togetherness between manager,players and the team. Seen us win championships/leagues,important games but this is THE season,whatever happens, that I will remember the most! Smiling now and still got that 'Allez allez' song in my head! UTR

Friday. 9th May 1986 was my 34th birthday and I was working in Saudi Arabia. Being a Friday, it was the weekend, and several of us were having a small party in my room. So I rang my brother and listened to Radio Derby for the last 15 minutes of the game relaying back the commentary to the other chaps. That call cost me £30 in charges!!
I'll tell you what a party we had on the home-made illicit booze to celebrate.
Let's hope I can celebrate this year on my 70th birthday, which will be two days after the last game of the season, against Cardiff City, which, I hope. will see the Rams remain in the Championship.
COYR's!!!

This is why I go to football matches. This....... just this! The togetherness between manager,players and the team. Seen us win championships/leagues,important games but this is THE season,whatever happens, that I will remember the most! Smiling now and still got that 'Allez allez' song in my head! UTR

We are not going to get our 21 points back, and as a result we are still most likely going to get relegated. That is a  harsh and painful reality... fantastic fight (not too literally Tom) though the players are putting in, backed by our amazing support.
Even so , there are several reasons to believe that our agreement to the 21 points deduction was gained under false pretences. The first and most immediately pressing is that Q were very specific that they only agreed to the points deduction in order to assist a speedy exit from administration. That speedy exit hasn't happened, and the principle reason for that once again is the EFL's footling incompetence and the connected issue that their rulebook is not fit for purpose either.
So I think continued pressure on EFL by DCFC Fans  on this forum (and elsewhere)  is  fair game. EFL has been found out on some past issues (and I know there is much more to come out). Their continuing and desperate attempts at self justification are plainly now not working. Even some mainstream journalists have turned against them, Nixon had been used as their mouthpiece before but even he seems to have woken up and smelt the coffee.
The message to EFL really needs to be...  enough is enough.. your incompetence (and worse) has cost us dearly and we will not tolerate any more delays, obstructions or penalties. Let us name a PB, end the embargo and renew contracts. And this needs to happen within the next week or so.. or else, for sure the whole can of worms that is EFL's lack of competence and care will be scrutinised big time, not just by us fans , but taking it up in the media and in Parliament and whatever other forums we can.             

Any prospective owner watching todays game against Peterborough could not fail to have been impressed by the never say die attitude of players and staff. Plus the incredible support from the stands. So loud we could probably be heard in Nottingham. 
 
if that was me as a possible owner I would so want to be involved and help this club grow 

Pissed up just fet like saying......I duckin love Derby County

Yesterday there were several times come on Derby rolled round from the NE corner along the North stand. I usually go to diff parts of the ground and I don’t think those in the south stand realise how much singing is going on elsewhere it is fantastic at the moment. 
 
As for people leaving early far fewer at the moment thank goodness. Against B’ham there was some loudmouth behind me who veered from criticism to moaning constantly and left with his entourage on 85 minutes ?. Yesterday a few left early but not many. My Grandson said are we ever going to score and I told him to keep believing as most goals are scored in the final seconds and injury time….cue pandemonium what a season what a season ?

The atmosphere reminded me of the home game against Rotherham on a Friday night in 1986 when Trevor Christie sent us up to the old Division 2 with a penalty on a boggy Baseball Ground pitch.  The atmosphere in the ground, back to town and afterwards in town was something else.  For me to reflect on that game yesterday means it was something special ??.   

?
 
 

This is why I go to football matches. This....... just this! The togetherness between manager,players and the team. Seen us win championships/leagues,important games but this is THE season,whatever happens, that I will remember the most! Smiling now and still got that 'Allez allez' song in my head! UTR

This is why I go to football matches. This....... just this! The togetherness between manager,players and the team. Seen us win championships/leagues,important games but this is THE season,whatever happens, that I will remember the most! Smiling now and still got that 'Allez allez' song in my head! UTR

This is why I go to football matches. This....... just this! The togetherness between manager,players and the team. Seen us win championships/leagues,important games but this is THE season,whatever happens, that I will remember the most! Smiling now and still got that 'Allez allez' song in my head! UTR

This is why I go to football matches. This....... just this! The togetherness between manager,players and the team. Seen us win championships/leagues,important games but this is THE season,whatever happens, that I will remember the most! Smiling now and still got that 'Allez allez' song in my head! UTR