therams69

1 hour ago, angieram said:

I only heard Nick call him Dave, think they must be mates! ?

We definitely cleared up that it is Clowes (as in cows) not Clowes (as in clues) though!

I have known him as Dave for 22 years! I think general census is though that its David...  lol!

5 minutes ago, Bald Eagle's Barmy Army said:

Did I read correct that they’re looking at the academy next?? 

Yes.

19 minutes ago, Ellafella said:

Thanks Nick,

very helpful report and very encouraging. Glad you've sorted the issues with SP - we spoke briefly at Coventry away in the FA Cup last season with @Angry Ram. I like the sound of developments coming from the notes and am very encouraged by DC and very encouraged by the PW recruitment. There's a great season ahead of us.

 

 

I think going forward, for me certainly and as a wider fan base, it needed sorting. He is fronting it up and fair play to him. Dave backs him 100% - that alone is enough for me. Negative energy towards him will do no one any favours.

It's a long term plan. If this season doesn't come off we go again stronger next season.

28 minutes ago, rammieib said:

Thanks for Posting Nick. Glad that your issues with SP are resolved. We had a good chat on the train coming back from Blackpool away last year.

Off the pitch looks promising - I like the fact that nothing here is 'big' - its all reasonable and within budgets. I liked the reference to a CAPEX list of things to do on the stadium as well. Shows these are all identified and planned.

 

No problem mate... Wasn't it on the way there? 

Under the Radar is the way forward...

Morning all..

In the absence of a DCFC fans representative at the meetings I thought it would be helpful to upload the minutes to here. My personal thoughts are below.

Many of you know my issue with Stephen Pearce. I have been very vocal on that for various reasons. However, Charlton away we had a catch up and with Dave. A line has been drawn between us which Dave very much initiated. He is as much responsible as Dave for saving our club and I think we need to recognise that. 

Last night Stephen came across a very different man. Confident. Comfortable. Relaxed. Clear to see the shackles of Mel have been removed and he can be his own person. Mixed in with the ethos and culture that Dave has I fully trust SP to take us forward. He knows that he has points to prove and is up for that challenge. He has my backing.

A few other points i would like to add. Safe Standing, you know I have been campaigning for 15 odd years!!! Looking like some kind of movement with this and going forward expect there to be some news over the next few months.

South Stand - raised about bar wait times and requested that the bottle bars return particularly for half time. This is lost revenue. Left with SP to sort. I have also raised, as i have done for years, that we should be aiming to replicate a Bristol City / Lincoln kind of area. This was always the idea with the Fan Park but somewhat slipped to the side. Would be great to have a culture where fans can turn up early, have a few drinks and enjoy it. Same after the game as well, get the Yard and South Stand concourse open for an hour. 

Really positive meeting and refreshing that we are discussing issues and points that the charter group was setup for! Big thanks to the guys at BAWT for drafting up the minutes.

Minutes of SCG Meeting 22nd September, 2022

Present: DCFC - David Clowes, Stephen Pearce, Punjabi Rams, DCFC Disabled Supporters Club, RamsTrust, DCFC Supporters Club, Black and White Together, Derby County Collection, Nick Webster, RamsActive

The club has been reviewing and assessing the managerial position since DC took over and Liam Rosenior has been fantastic. They have a great relationship. The club has a duty of care towards Liam's career as someone taking his first steps in managing and what might happen to Liam if it didnt work out played a part in the decision.

Paul Warne brings experience and now is his time for a big job at a big club. Other clubs were after him, both those with and those without a manager currently. 

DC liked how he treats players, journalists, encouraging everyone to get the best out of themselves.

There is nothing to read into the title of Head Coach – there is no plan for Technical Director/Director of Football – it is just commensurate with Head of Recruitment, Head of Academy, which they will move their focus to now. They see these three roles working as a team. 

Paul Warne spoke to the players on Wednesday evening and will do press next Tuesday.

With regards to the players we signed and his style, Paul is adaptable, but he was after some of our players in summer. His teams are running teams and he is happy with players he has. 

DC will speak to Liam and other coaching staff on Monday when they return from a short break, but they were aware of the situation before DCFC approached Rotherham to speak to Paul Warne.

The club is well within the business plan agreed with the EFL, so there is a buffer. They sent the EFL the recruitment strategy, by player and position, and all was signed off, no problem. It is a two-year plan, with a review after 12 months, but we can’t currently spend transfer fees or loan fees.

The plan was done on a worst case scenario., so season ticket sales coming in over the figure in the business plan really helped. 

The club is now debt free.

Two sell-on clauses were sold for short term cash during administration,  but others remain.

The first accounting year will end on 30th June, 2023, so filed by March 2024.

The club will look into a non-Away member Season Ticket holder category after away members and before general sale for away tickets.

They will look at Roadriders again, but once the cost of hiring a bus, putting a steward on them and some covid restrictions still are factored in, it is likely to still be prohibitive.

They will also look at the possibility of beambacks for sold out away games.

The club now has a very good relationship with the EFL and other clubs, including Wycombe, Middlesbrough, and Rotherham.

The Yard is now open again on matchdays. They are looking at projects for the Back Yard in the close season.

Stephen Pearce has a point to prove. If everything he was accused of was true, the administrators or the due diligence of bidders would have found something. He wants to take club forwards.

The board will expand in the next 12-18 months, but a new chair will be appointed soon.

David Clowes said he is categorically not looking to flip the club. 

The club is researching a Shadow Board. They have spoken to Joe Blott, of Spirit of Shankly, the only one in place currently. The club eill circulate details, but the idea is the responsibility of the club to a Shadow Board would be written into the Articles of Association.

There is a change in culture in the club, and DC wants to be open and transparent within the limits of running a business.
It was commented the club is losing money due to lack of staff at concessions. The club has longer term plans, but acknowledges short term improvements can be made. The Bristol City model was mentioned as an example.

Re safe standing- the club met with the safety advisory group and the Sports Ground Safety Authority. The rake is a concern, but are pricing up potential phased equivalent of safe standing. Not railed seating but barriers. The top 9-10 rows in south stand and away area are the difficult areas, but the club wants to be an early adopter.

The club wants the sponsorship to match the new culture, keen not to have betting or crypto on the front of shirts. If not, they could have had it done weeks ago. But they also don't want to devalue the shirt for next or future seasons, so better to go no sponsor, if so. But the club has decided to go with a national charity to protect the value of the brand. However, it could be that the club asks for funds raised to be used locally.
They are also discussing the logistics of having the option to buy a sponsorship logo for replica shirts, like a number or players name, with possibility of part going to the charity. 

With regards to the stadium, there is a long CapEx list, which the club will be working through in order of  priority over next 18 months.
DCCT and DCFC Women separate board of Trustees, but the club is trying to bring them closer. DCFC Women have been training on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Moor Farm, but changing rooms are difficult. But now th3 club is making a dedicated women's hub for sole use, branded etc. Good for board meeting, analysis and with dedicated changing facility too. It will be finished in a couple of weeks. They will continue to play at Mickleover.
 

 

On 16/09/2022 at 20:53, YoxallRam said:

What can be done Nick?

Can we report to the ticket office?

Sure they are already aware but from what i understand its already been mentioned to them..

4 hours ago, YoxallRam said:

I’ve seen a lot of fans selling their tickets on Twitter because they can’t attend. They’ve bought the ticket to sell on and have another game added to their customer ID.

If you can’t get a ticket, don’t buy one off someone else. You’re just making the situation worse for yourself.

Totally agree on this. Its not just the 1 adult ticket you would expect either, 2 adults and 1 child etc.. It's apparent fans are doing this to keep their membership level high.

It is against the ticket rules to resell your ticket so those doing it should be very wary if advertised on social media. I do expect the club to clamp down on it as many are missing out.

Probably one of my favourite photos of the big flag going. Fitted perfectly with fans around and we smashed WBA that night!

Graz Away for pre season.

Marbella Away for a mid season friendly.

Brighton Away.

Kaiserslautern Away.

Lincoln Away.

On 05/09/2022 at 10:46, Foreveram said:

Cambridge away, looks like the total allocation could be just 1,470. A Wednesday fan  @walkleyowl messaged me to say this was the case and looking on a couple of sites, it appears to be the case. That’s what Southampton got in the League cup and that is Barnsley’s total allocation. The allocation is the South stand seated, with the Habbin terrace unused. I contacted their SLO to confirm this, his reply was, Derby have this information ask them, helpful. The price against Barnsley is £24 adults and £21 concessions. Will have to wait for confirmation but I thought I would give a heads up to anyone expecting to get to this. Also anyone looking to buy in the home end, like most of the smaller clubs are doing with us, you have to have previous history.

To be fair that is what our SLO should be for. The Cambridge SLO is for there fans, not us.

Not managed to find any decent photos of the flag at Shrewsbury but thanks to Martin Fisher for his photo.

 

Mansfield away in League Cup.

Always a special memory when we play Charlton as this was the first game I took the flag too. Monday 15 December 2008.

Fast forward 14 years.....

Four times I have done the home end for a Derby game.

One was Villa away in the late 90s when it was a top of the table clash. Being young and naïve i decided to get a Derby flag out (alot smaller than the one i look after now might I add) much to the amusement and cheer of the Derby fans behind the goal. Put it away sharpish and watched the game. We lost if I recall.

Second time was Huddersfield away, quarter final in the cup i think. Kicked off between Derby and Huddersfield fans where we were sat. Had an old chap next to me and he goes you are Derby arent you? I said yep! He said I will look after you haha! 

Third time not so lucky. Remember the Bradford 4 4 game over Easter, Burley penalty if I recall... Approached home end, postcode please lads... Ermmm......... Didn't get in and around 100 of us had to have an injunction of 100m away from the ground. What a game to miss!

4th time was some years later when I got banned by Blackpool by a certain Mr Oyston. Paranoid as you like but some Blackpool lads sorted me with a ticket behind the goal for the last game of the season. This is when our relationship (and still is) was fab after we supported them outside there ground in one of the first demonstrations against the Oystons. 

I would quite easily do it again if a must. Obviously all of the above, bar Blackpool, is like 20 years ago when it was just easy to get a ticket in the home end.

On 04/08/2022 at 22:08, Boycie said:

@therams69does one of these independent travel schemes too I think?

I do indeed run my own travel business, thank you for the shout out Boycie lad.

If anyone wishes to reach me you can on the various social media platforms...

However, I have opted against selling any WC packages. I know and work with the supplier who is offering these packages. Basically for those that don't know, you can only get hotel rooms in Qatar once you have a match ticket so sure you can imagine that the prices are inflated already. Also packages to other areas of the UAE.

As a football fan, obviously why I am here, I hold ticket prices dear to my heart. I can get access to all the tickets for the Champions League Final, World Cup Final blah blah but the prices dont sit right with me so I do not advertise them.

Some of the prices I have seen, not so much for the early stages of the WC but for other games are just ludicrous. I just dont wish to be in that game when I actively promote twenty is plenty! LOL!

Thanks again for the shout out Boycie.

 

1 hour ago, TuffLuff said:

I also thought to begin with the #savederbycounty campaign looked very good and I even promoted it a fair few times on here, when there was a lot of negativity on here or bickering I really thought it might help people through those moments. Thing is as time went on, something seemed off to me when listening in to their town council meetings. After the march they seem to take full credit and were patting themselves on the back (that’s how I felt listening to it anyway) when a lot of work went in through radio derby, DET and supporter groups as well to raise awareness beforehand. Then the meetings just kinda fizzled out with a few half baked ideas that never went anywhere. If I’m being cynical, some PR people can now show that social media campaigns ‘work’ so they can sell their marketing prowess elsewhere.

Could be wrong on that and I would’ve kept that thought to myself usually but by having a go at bawt, who have atleast tried to keep fans informed through this, then I think he deserves a bit back. 

Hmm interesting about the march.. My input for what its worth on that...

So a chap called Ryan and a couple of other lads I know (top man is Ryan and was well out his comfort zone!) decided to organise the march. I got wind of it and offered my help and guidance through having contacts with the police, club, radio derby, BBC East Midlands Today etc etc...

We spent the couple of weeks prior speaking to the police (very helpful) and once all agreed I put Ryan in touch with Radio Derby and East Midlands Today. Bit of campaigning on twitter, facebook etc...

I take absolute zero credit for it, I played my part in getting Albatross on board and all the flags down there but just oiled the wheels for Ryan to be speaking to the people who he needed to speak to get the word out there and get the movement going. This was his baby and deserved the praise and credit for it.

So as far as I am concerned no twitter town council meeting was responsible for the march and quite disheartening for Ryan and others should they see this post.

Very much like PR. I do have issue with Mr Bourne and took to twitter this evening to pass my comments on. He never replied publically but took the conversation to private message. No problem with that but perhaps this should have been the first port of call with the original issue.

BAWT and particularly Nigel have been fantastic at the meetings, as have all the supporters groups. We never asked for this and this was certainly not the reason why the charter was setup all these years ago. It is what it is though.

The last thing we need is other groups being called out for politics. As Angie said, for christ sake if you dont like them then dont follow them! We are all adults here..

Not read the replies but going to give my opinion on how I see things going..

I have seen alot of hate for the admin, much of which I disagree with, frustrating yes but if you remember my post back in May of last year I said this was a huge mess to sort out and would end up like this. Anyways all in the past....

Clearly admin need a set amount to sort this out. No one at the minute is offering that. Its pretty obvious said buyers dont want to pay that and you can see why - its dead money sorting out someone else's mess along with the loss of 6m quid if we go down in lost revenue, not exactly a pretty acquisition is it. We can all argue the potential is there but we haven't been promoted in 15 odd years and having an amazing fan base will only get you so far.

So I guess the bidders are going to need to pay what is needed if they want the club. I also suspect that they will be negotiating a lower rate on the purchase / rent of the stadium. This has been complicated imho because its separate to the football club, what a great decision that was. This to me is why there is a delay. If they had agreed to the admin demands a PB would have been announced.

I suspect if we dont get anywhere then of course, Mr Morris is going to have to do something with the stadium, lower his price thus offsetting the money going to the creditors. Whether he will or not is anyone's guess. Who wants to keep the poker face the longest I guess.

 

 

She was such a lovely lady. I had the pleasure of arranging a year 6 leavers party with her over the summer so had some time after for a few drinks, so nice.

Very sad news for them all, especially the boys.

24 minutes ago, Ellafella said:

Hear! Hear! Very proud. Never did I realise how aptly named Pride Park stadium is. 

Good to meet you the other day as well mate ?

Feeling rather overwhelmed today as I am sure we all are..

Yesterday wasn't about the last minute equaliser, as much as it should have been, it was about the City coming together. 

A huge thank you to Ryan (chief organiser) and all the Marshalls that assisted on the day. A big thank you as well to Albatross Taxis who offered everyone 20% off for the march and also supplied me with a minibus for the day to get the flags from Pride Park to the march. Nice to see local businesses come together (they are owed money by the club as well) So many came together to make it a success.

We will never know the true number but when we arrived into town at 0945 I got a huge sense that this was going to be massive, just so many dotted about. As many have said Derby police saying just under 10k, that is nothing short of amazing. The view as I looked back over the railway bridge was something else and the drone that took the video, it was neverending.

Many highlights for me, the mayor lowering his hat to start the bounce and leading the march up the Morledge. Pauline Latham starting the bounce and all the local councillors and MP's marching, together.

When the march arrived at Pride Park the number of photographers was something else, not fans, proper photographers, it was flash flash flash..

I will never forget this for the rest of my life.

Be proud of our city and football club.

 

 

5 hours ago, sage said:

I know you're not in charge per se, but will you be encouraging Derby songs without swearing to gain all encompassing support and increase chances of getting on TV. 

Crack on during the game obviously 

There will be marshall's there Sage .. You know how hard it will be though to manage... We have to bear in mind it is a Sunday morning!