leroyoftherovers

Apparently the 32 Red deal ran out this summer maybe that has something to do with it. 

I think there could be a level of truth behind the view that Wayne had a free hit last season and was in reality in a no lose situation. 
Had he done the unthinkable and kept us up he would have been lauded for it, however when we were inevitably relegated there was no blame afforded to him either due to MM, Q etc etc (which was fair IMHO).
Now the rebuild is on (as is the true pressure of managing a BIG Club) and the crutches are removed. Now the focus would be on Wayne’s ability in earnest to identify talent, to recruit said talent and to coach and manage the squad that would be his by definition.
I think he knows that had a high chance of failure with the loss of the current squad and the lack of recruitment. I believe he has been advised by those around him to cut and run to preserve his reputation as another season of abject failure without the excuses of MM & Q would leave his prospects in tatters at the start of his career.

Just want to say that this has been an absolute nightmare for all of us, I am down in Ipswich watching this unfold daily.  Wasting time looking at rehashed stories on the DET app and website, feeling optimistic at times and then beyond depressed by it all at other times. 
There is another chink of light in the seemingly imminent AA takeover, would be great to see it go through ahead of the fixture release, spare the drama and what if's for all of us.
If he does take it on it just goes to show what an absolute armhole Ashley has been throughout the whole process.
Wanting us at price Q could never entertain, knowing this and then trying to destabilise the whole process with leaks and stories to the papers about being ignored by Q.
Feels like AA has got on with it no big stories to the press or messiah delusions to social media, long may that continue, a period of stable and steady re-building is required.  Lets not got flash with the cash again, until we have it to spend, no more Butterfields but a few more Brysons please.
Just fingers crossed it gets over the line this time.
COYR

This reads like Morris was a victim of circumstance & acted like a 'reasonable person' thereafter. I would argue that is a very generous interpretation.
Reality is Morris knew towards the end ot 2017/18 that we'd overspent as a club. He publicly told Rowett we would be reining it in & relying more on Academy graduates and that was part of Rowett's rationale for jumping ship to Stoke. 
Had Morris kept to this strategy, we'd have been fine. What he then did though was to bet the house on one last attempt at promotion...got blinded by a celebrity appointment (Lampard) & spent money every bit as frivolous as his first 2 years. It was this season that provoked the ire of Gibson & interest of onlookers who couldn't reconcile his earlier statements with the approach thereafter.
Once we lost to Villa & he decided to sell having lost his gamble, he had a responsibility to manage the club prudently. Instead he doubled down with our biggest ever signing (Bielik) & a massive PR stunt (Rooney). Gibson served notice of intent to sue us May 2019 but Morris did not deal with this until 3 months ago (and even then there are suggestions he's just lumped it onto the price of PP). He said he would fund us until we were sold but cut his losses by dumping us into administration & left us to the mercy of rival clubs & a vengeful EFL. 
He also had a bid last summer from the Binnies (reported in the Athletic) which seemingly he rejected in favour of administration & a certain relegation. That sound like someone who had no option but to do what he did?
To your point about fans supporting us at Wembley and then turning on Morris, how would you expect the average fan to know the situation at the club when Morris was so secretive about the real picture & his true intentions?

The HMRC have their own laws and methods, There's no straight line where they have a rule book.
I was chased, Harassed, Had letters of a threatening nature of fines and continued fines if I would not investigate my deceased Brothers Tax Affairs(self employed)my mistake was clearing his debts, Cancelling his PIP payments and burying him.
If it wasn't for one particular HMRC employee who looked into his last 2 years of taxable work I would have a stack of letters or even a court date to attend, And the shocking thing is, They owed him £20 and a few pence.
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you an organisation that duck over the little person and leave those that have amassed billions of £s from wrongful  Covid-19 payments
  

I would be really sorry to lose Dixon.
I think he is potentially a better player than Liam Thompson (and he’s done brilliantly).
 

Sunday 14th May 1972 – six days after capturing their first league title, Derby were finally back in the city to lift the trophy
As we all know, Clough had been in the Scilly Isles whilst most of the squad & Peter Taylor had been in Majorca as the dramatic news of the Leeds/Liverpool results broke. Meanwhile Roy McFarland & Colin Todd had been on England duty, preparing for the upcoming Euro Quarter Final against West Germany
That didn’t stop Sam Longson & ground staff having a celebratory drink on the pitch the day after Derby had been confirmed as Champions. Clip also includes a voxpop around Derby & best of all, some salty Leeds fans;
https://www.macearchive.org/films/atv-today-09051972-derby-county-win-football-league-championship
 
Onto the presentation, bizarrely arranged for that Sunday morning (and no buses running apparently). Photos from the day starting with the trophy waiting to be presented;

 

 

 

 
The final 71/72 edition of the Ram was released 3 days later;

 
4 days after the presentation, Derby held an open topped bus tour through the city ending in a civic reception at the Council HQ – footage and photos of fans & players celebrating below;
https://www.macearchive.org/films/atv-today-18051972-derby-county-football-team
 

 

 
And so ends the story of Derby’s remarkable 1971/72 league title win. An achievement 5 years in the making & in so doing, forever changed how the football club & city saw itself;

Thanks @Animal is a Ram and @RoyMac5 for updating us.
Of course, our primary concern is the saving of the football club.
However, I disagree with Nixon's statement "it's no sweat" because our other concern, albeit secondary to the main one, is that we do not lose Rooney or the players. The longer it drags on....the more we lose.

Monday 8th May 1972 & title D-Day for Derby, Leeds & Liverpool
A week after Derby finished their league campaign, Leeds & Liverpool played their final matches of 71/72 knowing exactly what they needed to do to win the title. This was a massive advantage both had over Derby & something that would never be allowed to happen in the modern era because of the risk of ‘result manipulation’ – something it later emerged Leeds had attempted to do…
The permutations on the night were straight forward;
·        Derby would win the title if Leeds lost & Liverpool didn’t win
·        Leeds needed only a point away at Wolves to win the title
·        Liverpool needed to beat Arsenal at Highbury & for Leeds to lose
Leeds were therefore favourites going into the evening & 2 days after winning the FA Cup, were in confident mood to secure the double - as per below sycophantic back page. Wolves however were not straightforward opposition – they had reached the UEFA Cup Final & were particularly strong at home, as Derby had found out the previous November;
 

 
That evening, 55k crammed into Molineux with a further 40k at Highbury and thousands more listening on the radio, many of them anxious Derby fans. Onto the action & the timeline of the evening;
13 mins – Emlyn Hughes hits the crossbar for Liverpool at Highbury but the ball stays out – Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
16 mins – Ray Kennedy of Arsenal plants a header against the post – still Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
25 mins – furious appeals for a penalty at Molineux as Leeds claim Bernard Shaw of Wolves handled on the line. Ref unsighted & linesman doesn’t flag. Still Wolves 0 Leeds 0 - Leeds are top & heading for the title as things stand
43 mins – Wolves take the lead through Frank Munro. Wolves 1 Leeds 0 & Derby are back top of the table
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ArJjYAqxiHc?start=0&end=9
67 mins – Derek Dougan doubles Wolves’ lead – Wolves 2 Leeds 0
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ArJjYAqxiHc?start=10&end=19
68 mins – Billy Bremner pulls a goal back – Wolves 2 Leeds 1 & Leeds only need one goal to go back top. Don Revie sends Jack Charlton up front for the last frantic 20 mins
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ArJjYAqxiHc?start=20&end=30
88 mins – John Toshack puts the ball into the net for Liverpool at Highbury for what seems a late title winner….but it is ruled out for offside by referee Roger Fitzpatrick (he of the disallowed Kevin Hector goal late in Stoke v Derby match)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLcJX8yjUFs
90 mins – sub Terry Yorath heads the ball over Wolves keeper Parkes from 6 yards out but Gerry Taylor heads off the line – still Wolves 2 Leeds 1
Finally full time – Wolves 2 Leeds 1 & Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0. Derby County are crowned Champions of England for the first time.
 

 
Predictably both Revie & Shankly pointed to controversial refereeing decisions as key factors in their inability to get the results they needed. Brian Clough meanwhile was both elated & incredulous – here he is being interviewed by David Coleman the day after, whilst on holiday in the Scilly Isles;
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ke8457SVa48?start=57&end=167
 
And so the final table was as follows - one of the closest title finishes in history with the top 4 all within a point of each other. A high-quality title race too – the top 3 all won the league again over the next 3 seasons, 5th placed Arsenal had won the double the year before & Spurs in 6th won the UEFA Cup;

Final standings for the 2021/22 Prediction League, I'm sure there's a way of determining a winner between @Premier ram and @TheHospitalier but i cba to sort one, so congratulations both..
 
Premiership
Premier ram    59
TheHospitalier    59
BodminRam    57
Cisse    57
Kenavo    57
ilsonram12    55
LeedsCityRam    55
rammieib    54
timlondinium    53
r4derby    49
SKHunter    49
Wolfie    49
DCFC1388    48
rynny    48
AndyB    47
BOB BIGGS    47
ramant62    47
REDCAR    47
harwich ram    44
jimtastic56    44
 
Championship

Fla Ram    43
Jase116    43
mozza    43
Asanovic70    42
samwcave    42
TexasRam    42
europia    41
JMC    41
Brammie Steve    40
ColonelBlimp    40
Lurky    40
Ramifications    40
dcfc the 1 4me    39
Parsnip    39
Rich84    39
Jimbo Ram    38
leroyoftherovers    38
dabber    37
Miggins    37
Woodley Ram    37
BramcoteRam84    36
California Ram.    36
WharfedaleRam    36
hydraulic ram    34
 
Div1

TimRam    34
DCFC Kicks    33
OohMartWright    31
BucksRam    30
gccrowdpleaser    30
Jourdan    30
JuanFloEvraTheCocu'sNesta    30
Yani P    30
DesertRam    29
Mckram    29
CBRammette    28
Chris_Martin    28
Foreveram    28
JarodyDCFC    28
Mick Brolly    28
MidWalesRam    28
BathRam72    27
swansea ram    27
Turk Thrust    27
Elgin_Ram    26
RadioactiveWaste    26
taffyram    25
Amberram    24
Dethorn    24
 
Div2

lukedcfc    24
Malty    24
StevenageRam    24
Ted McMinn Football Genius    24
angieram    23
86 Hair Islands    23
True Ram    23
Addingham Ram    22
Rampant    22
BriggRam    21
1967Ram    21
StrawHillRam    21
cstand    20
Dean (hick) Saunders    20
Van der MoodHoover    20
Wolfie20    20
BarrowRam    19
ramit    19
Ramsamwidge    19
Topram    19
hintonsboots    18
Wistaston Ram    18
kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong    17
Simmo's left foot    16
 
Div3

Dordogne-Ram    15
chewbacca    14
Eargasm    14
Kernow    14
PendineRam    14
Ram-a-lama fa fa fa    13
devonram1980    12
Kinder    12
Marriot Ram99    12
Mucker1884    12
erathirea    11
Leeds Ram    11
Rampage    11
Steve Buckley's Dog    11
Angry Ram    10
CumbriaRam    10
Johnnyoj    10
StarterForTen    10
HonitonRam    9
Blondest Goat    8
BrudeRAM    8
Maharan    8
niram    8
glyn1957    7
 
Div4

Carnero    6
Makedoh    6
Ramrob    6
Saul    6
Steve How Hard?    6
Theres's Only Wan Chope    6
WhiteHorseRam    6
Dinnitdough    5
Finch    5
LazloW    5
mwram1973    5
oohmarkwright    5
Ram_in_Cumbria    5
atherstoneram    4
bucktwo    4
Crewton    4
Diego    4
Eddie    4
Magicman    4
minesahartington    4
Remy the hare    4
RodleyRam    4
Abu Derby    3
B4ev6is    3
 
Div5

Charliegeorge1962    3
davenportram    3
DerbyRam!    3
EraniosSocks    3
Penelope Pendrex    3
Reverend    3
scout's dad    3
ScubaRam    3
SWRam    3
Tamworthram    3
twinkletoes    3
Alan Ramage 4 EVA    2
Alty_Ram    2
Ambitious    2
BuckoBeast    2
Charlotte Ram    2
FindernRam    2
G-Ram    2
Half Fan Half Biscuit    2
ivo_knoflicek    2
Jayram    2
Joe     2
Jortat    2
MickD    2
 
Div6

Rab a dab doo    2
Ratpackram    2
Seths-cap    2
Sheff Ram    2
Simon Bradley    2
Sweetness34    2
The Scarlet Pimpernel    2
Tyler Durden    2
uttoxram75    2
Anag Ram    1
Animal is a Ram    1
Bubbles    1
Chester40    1
Coconut's Beard    1
DavesaRam    1
De22Ram    1
Donegal Ram    1
Foxy Ram    1
Fraser_23    1
Gordamn    1
handyill    1
Hathersage Ram    1
Ilkestonian    1
irobinson    1
 
Div7

Keepyuppy    1
kevinhectoring    1
MackworthRamIsGod    1
NottmRAM    1
Old Sawley Popside    1
Ovine_Interferer    1
PistoldPete    1
plymouthram    1
1977 Ram Raider    1
RamDotFi    1
RamontheMoor    1
richinspain    1
Robert Earnshaws Workrate    1
Scott129    1
Sean    1
Seaside Ram    1
secretsquirrel    1
sheeponacid    1
Sparkle    1
superzak    1
TomTom92    1
tomsdubs    1
twelveincher    1
whaley bridge Ram    
Wignall12    1
ziggyram59    1
 
DONE !!
 
 

Matchday 42 – Monday 1st May 1972 and the title showdown with Liverpool at the BBG
After Derby’s defeat at Maine Road 9 days earlier, the equation was simple – anything less than a win & the title would be gone. That was easier said than done though against a Liverpool side in red hot form. On 8th January, Liverpool sat 9th in the table having been beaten at Leicester – since that day, their league record read Played 15 Won 13 Drawn 2 Scored 34 Conceded 3 – they also hadn’t conceded an away goal in that entire time.
The drama was increased still by the Leeds v Chelsea match being played the same night – with Leeds having a game in hand, Derby hoped Chelsea could do them a favour & stop Leeds picking up 2 points
Onto the action at a packed Baseball Ground, 39k there but thousands locked out. Action from Elland Road at the end of the clip;
 
One of the most evocative photos in Derby’s history - John McGovern’s second half winner giving The Rams a precious 2 points & keeping us in the title race;

 

 

 
Pre match edition of The Ram railed at the Derby Evening Telegraph for ‘rocking the boat’, especially the suggestion Clough & Taylor had been on the verge of joining Coventry – as per earlier posts this week, it came a lot closer than Derby fans probably realised at the time;

 
Derby’s win in their final match returned them to the top of the table but that was only really half the story. Leeds’ 2-0 win over Chelsea meant they only needed a point away at Wolves on May 8th to win the title. Liverpool still had a title chance but needed to beat Arsenal at Highbury on the same night & hope Leeds lost. Derby meanwhile headed off on their holidays knowing there was nothing else they could do but sit and wait for next week;

Texaco Cup Final – Wednesday 26th April 1972 & the return leg against Airdrie at the BBG
The first leg finished 0-0 up in Scotland in January & this second leg had been re-arranged from the original date of March 8th because of an unplayable pitch. Airdrie were towards the bottom of the then Scottish Division One (SPL in new money) but the Anglo-Scottish element meant this was likely to be a testy affair

 
Although not a major tournament, just over 25k turned up at the Baseball Ground that evening & Brian Clough ahead of the title showdown with Liverpool, picked 7 first team regulars in the starting XI. He was rewarded with a 2-1 win & the first silverware of 1971/72 for the Rams, courtesy of goals from Alan Hinton (pen) and Roger Davies. Match report below;

 

 
Original matchday final programme;

 
And here’s Alan Durban (captain for the night) receiving the Texaco Cup from Len Shipman, chairman of the Football League – pic courtesy of Andy Ellis via @Brailsford Ram;

 
 
Small footnote on this night – back in the League, Crystal Palace got a crucial 2-0 win at home to Stoke which meant Notts Forest & Huddersfield were relegated to Division Two. Forest had been beaten the night before by Wolves in front of 16,889 at the City Ground;

Matchday 41 – Saturday 22nd April 1972 & the clash of the top two – Manchester City v Derby County
Man City’s defeat at Ipswich 4 days earlier meant they now needed a miracle to win the title but they still presented significant nuisance value to a Derby side desperate for the points to stay ahead of Liverpool & Leeds.
Here were Brian Clough’s pre-match thoughts;
https://www.macearchive.org/films/atv-today-21041972-brian-clough-interview-championship-hopes
 
So onto the action at Maine Road;
 
Sadly for the Rams, City signed off their 71/72 season with a convincing 2-0 home win – Rodney Marsh playing a crucial role despite the oft-repeated claim he was a liability to Man City in the run in;

 

 
Programme of the day from Manchester;

 
City’s win in their final fixture meant they regained top spot from Derby but it was a most bittersweet accolade. Liverpool’s 2-0 win at home to Ipswich meant City now had no chance of winning the title (because of the upcoming Derby v Liverpool fixture) & hence had to watch as others passed them. Derby slipped to 3rd behind Liverpool on goal average whilst Leeds moved to within a point of the Rams with a 0-1 win away at West Brom;

Wednesday 19th April 1972 – with their FA Cup Final spot confirmed, Leeds resumed their chase of league leaders Derby with a game in hand away at Newcastle
Newcastle of course had beaten Derby on Easter Monday & they caused another shock here with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a late winner from Malcolm McDonald;
 

 
Leeds’ defeat kept them 4th & three points behind Derby but with only one game in hand now over the leaders. The result meant Derby’s title destiny was in their own hands again – beat Man City & Liverpool and they would be Champions of England for the first time;

Tuesday 18th April 1972 – ahead of their weekend showdown with Derby, Man City travelled to mid-table Ipswich to seek the 2 points they needed to go back top of the table & take charge of the title race
It was a disastrous night for City though, losing 2-1 at Portman Road & realistically destroying their title challenge;

 
Man City’s defeat kept them second but they now only had one game left to play (v Derby 4 days later) whilst all their title rivals had games in hand. Although their title challenge wasn’t officially over, the highly unlikely sequence of results they needed meant bookies were now offering odds of 100-1 for them to win the title. All eyes now turned to the North East for the Newcastle v Leeds clash the following day;

Matchday 40 – Saturday 15th April 1972 & the visit of Huddersfield to the BBG
Huddersfield started the day 2nd bottom & had not won in the league since last November but had caused Derby problems already this season with that last win incredibly being a 2-1 win over the Rams. Derby’s last two fixtures were against Man City & Liverpool so they knew a win was absolutely vital here. Fortunately, the Rams eased to a 3-0 win against the relegation battlers – goals coming from McFarland, Hector & O’Hare;

 

 

 
Front page of The Ram carried a promise from Sam Longson that upcoming season ticket money (including price increases) would not be wasted in the fight to keep Derby a top side & improve the Baseball Ground. Elsewhere in the paper, a report looking forward to our debut in Europe the following season & some pundit predictions of how we would fare;


 
Derby’s win opened up a one-point lead at the top as Man City were only able to draw 1-1-at Coventry. Liverpool kept up their red-hot streak of form with a 0-2 win away at West Ham, whilst Leeds were in FA Cup semi-final action - beating Second Division Birmingham to book a place at Wembley but dropping 3 points behind Derby in the table. Both Man City & Leeds had away games in the week before the big Man City v Derby clash 7 days later;

To sum up the enormous task we had, if promotion favorites West Brom with parachute payments after being in the PL last season had also received a 21 point deduction they would also be in the bottom three right now.
I think it’s an achievement in itself that we’re not already relegated considering we finished 21st last season and couldn’t strengthen while losing around 10 players in the process. 

Swansea 2-1 Rams
Rgs Lawrence 

Wednesday 12th April 1972 & title rivals Man City were at Old Trafford desperately seeking a derby day win to put pressure on Derby at the top
Sadly for Derby, Man Utd were unable to stop Man City picking up maximum points in a 1-3 away win – goals coming courtesy of a Franny Lee double & sub Rodney Marsh

 
Man City’s away win took them 2nd, just behind Derby on goal average. Derby, Liverpool & Man City were all due to play 3 days later with Leeds engaged in FA Cup semi-final action;

Matchday 39 – Saturday 8th April 1972 & the visit to Bramall Lane, Sheffield
Sheffield Utd had led the division until early October & although they had now slipped to 9th, they were still having an excellent first season after promotion. Derby meanwhile were desperate for a win after dropping 3 points in their last two games. A good time then for the Rams to turn in their best away result of the season, walloping the Blades 0-4 with goals from Gemmill, O’Hare, Hector & Durban
Extended highlights below ?
https://www.youtube.com/embed/b328z71s440?start=308&end=655
 

 
Programme of the day from South Yorkshire;

 
Derby’s win meant they stayed top but the other 3 title challengers all won also. Rodney Marsh scored his first two Man City goals in a 3-1 home win against West Ham whilst Liverpool also won 3-1, at home to Coventry. Leeds meanwhile belied their ordinary away form with a 0-3 win away at Stoke to stay 2nd & a point behind the Rams;
Man City highlights   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TiGLhRgQNM
Liverpool highlights   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFcFGCa7Y0
 

 

Gregory is not remembered affectionately because of his time as manager but he was outstanding as a player.

Matchday 38 – Wednesday 5th April 1972 & the visit to The Hawthorns to meet West Brom
West Brom came into the game 6th bottom but had been improving since starting the New Year bottom of the table – they had also held Derby to a scoreless draw at the BBG back in September. Derby knew they needed a win to stay clear of the chasing pack, all of whom would have a game in hand over the Rams after this match. Unfortunately, Derby were only able to grab a point here with another 0-0 draw – pic below of WBA keeper punching clear before John O’Hare could nip in

 

 

 
Programme of the day from the West Midlands;

 
Derby’s point kept them top despite Leeds beating Huddersfield 3-1 at Elland Road. The chasing pack all now had a game in hand & were within 2 points of the Rams ahead of a full fixture list 3 days later;

Tuesday 4th April 1972 & whilst Derby were reflecting on the previous day’s defeat to Newcastle, title rivals Man City went to Southampton knowing a win at The Dell would take them back to the top of the table
In another surprise, City crashed to back-to-back league defeats with a Ron Davies brace giving 4th bottom Saints a priceless 2 points;

 
Man City’s defeat kept them in 3rd & meant Derby stayed top ahead of their game at West Brom the following day. Leeds were also due in action vs 2nd bottom Huddersfield, needing a West Brom win for the chance to go top;

First off, acknowledgements and apologies in equal measure, to @loweman2, for the inexcusable interruption of his otherwise mighty fine thread, here...
 
In short, the end of this season marks the 50th anniversary of arguably the greatest day in DCFC's history... Champions of England, for the first time.
The management team of the day have rightfully earned themselves a damn fine statue outside our very own Theatre of Flashbacks.
The players of the day have... to a man... rightfully earned themselves the status of "True club legends".
You'll note within the afore-linked thread that those very players were sunning themselves in Majorca when we were crowned Champions, and were pictured throughout the nationwide papier-press sat celebrating by the pool... in the sunshine... wearing... wait for it... SOMBREROS!  ("Ah!"  They cry!  "Finally, I see where this is leading"!
... So some highly intelligent and wise poster went on to suggest we may all consider similar headgear, for the last game of the season, in honour of those very same true club legends, and in tribute to their very own celebrations, 50 years ago. 
Now, if you read that afore-linked thread from cover to cover, you'll note that I have now ordered and received my sombrero... (3 actually, so I'll be more than happy to donate a couple).  I've even included a couple of links to aid the commencement of any shopping trips you may wish to pursue, but of course, alternative sombreros are available from all good sombrero retailers.
You'll also note my pleas for you all... all 30,000+ of you... to join me in this rather spiffing, well-meaning, fun-loving, and possibly romantic crusade... if only to ensure I don't turn up looking like some weird loner in a rather splendid hat!
Remember... this is a nod to 50 years ago, and the greatest achievement in the club's history.  It has no bearing on today's shenanigans.  It is not in any way related to whether we avoid relegation or not.  It is neither reference to the fight, or the end!  And it is most certainly the very opposite of a protest!
 
Word is, a fair few of those Heroes of 71/72 will be parading on the pitch for the Cardiff games.  Let's make them smile.  Let's remind them of their wonderful memories, and their unique celebrations.  Let's maybe even embarrass them into again wearing sombreros themselves, rather than them feeling left out, this time around.
Do it for a laugh by all means.  But do it for Derby.  Do it for those legends.  Do it for History. 
 
 
Oh... and these pages are the limit of my DCFC related interwebbery, so if anyone has the desire and/or capability to spread the word, please do so, and please accept my advanced gratitude.
Snakes at Stoke became a thing, so let's make Sombrero Day a day to remember... for the fans, the press, and most of all, those wonderful, heroic, legendary heroes of this mighty fine massive club of ours!
 
UTR
?
 
 
 
 

Matchday 37 – Monday 3rd April 1972 & the visit of Newcastle to the BBG
After the dramatic clash with Leeds on Easter Saturday, Derby had a golden opportunity to grab control of the title race with a win against midtable Newcastle – with their title rivals all playing later in the week, Derby knew a win would take them 3 points clear at the top & pile pressure on the chasing pack. Newcastle also seemed there for the taking with only 4 wins from 18 away league games so far & had also been beaten by Derby three times already this season – once in the league back in October & twice in the Texaco Cup.
But disaster unfolded this Easter Monday, with Derby stumbling to their first home league defeat of 71/72 in front of 38k at the BBG. Tommy Cassidy’s goal gave Newcastle a shock away win & eroded Derby’s hard fought advantage at the top, although Clough put a brave face on it afterwards – see below;

 

 
A low key front page of the Ram focusing on ungrateful hospital radio, introduction of mascots & claiming title of Champions of the Midlands;

 
Derby stayed top despite their shock defeat as Man City weren’t playing until the following day & Leeds a day after that. Liverpool however took full advantage by walloping Man Utd 0-3 at Old Trafford to move into 2nd place and one point behind Derby;