Zag zig

I've really enjoyed league one, I love the fact that most of our games have been 3pm Saturdays, that won't be the case next year.
Some proper community clubs with lovely old school stadiums, proper football, but pleased to be out of it!

I enjoyed it as much as I did the last time, visiting a few grounds I'd never been to, having the odd night away, and usually winning. I probably enjoyed the football more than many appear to have too. Very pleased to be out of it though as being everyone's cup final got a bit tiresome. 

The Carlisle fans summed it all up for me, 
I met some on the train yesterday who were brilliant. About 30 of us Derby fans got on at Utch station to a chorus of, "your just a bus stop in Stoke" from them. 🤣 A couple of us were offered cans of beer from them and the banter was great,
Walked up to the ground with some blokes who were sound and very respectful about Derby as we were with them. Proper fans of a proper club, they've had very little to cheer over the years but the miles they put in following their club is unbelievable.
Good luck to Carlisle, hope they have a swift return to League 1 and to all the other clubs who have fans who choose to follow their local team rather than be plastic supporters of Man Utd or Liverpool.

I prefer it to the Premier League. 
If you're outside the clique of Premier clubs then each game is just damage limitation. 
I hope the top six or whatever leave for some TV super league (Harlem Globetrotters anyone?) and the top domestic league becomes more competitive as a result. 
Even the championship is now ruined as a competition by parachute payments tilting the balance. 
At least League One was competitive, unpredictable and, in the most part, entertaining.

Ok to visit but I wouldn't want to live there....

The smaller clubs will certainly miss the full away ends that us, Pompey and, potentially, Bolton, provided. For their sakes, I hope that a team with a large away following like Birmingham gets relegated, although TBH no-one deserves a visit from that bunch of dickwads.

My thoughts are that it feels like proper football. I’m becoming increasingly alienated by modern, elite football. I watch it less and less now, and when I do watch it, the enjoyment is sucked out by the way it’s organised and run.
There’s real supporters who support less glamorous clubs because they love them. Not because they win anything or because it’s a tourist attraction. 1700 fans travelled from little Carlisle, just to watch their team that were relegated weeks ago. That’s proper football.
There’s obviously far less money, the facilities are nowhere near as good, the players can’t quite play the same kind of football, but it’s strangely enjoyable.
From scoring two in added time at Port Vale, to Wilson’s header against Bolton, to watching Collins’ penalty at Forest Green from a grass verge outside the ground because the one single turnstile wasn’t working quick enough, it’s been great.
Although saying that, I’m hoping we don’t have to return any time soon!

Without becoming all Kevin Keegan I have loved these last two seasons, really loved them - home and away.  I like our manager, his approach and his team and culture building, his improvement of players, his interviews and his ability to, on the outside at least, keep calm when all around him isn't; I have liked being a big fish, our away following, 3 o'clock kick offs, travelling knowing we can win every game (whether we will or not is another matter), different styles of play within games, a rock solid defence, record away wins, good goals and good football - the best GD in the league has counted for a lot and provided great entertainment and excitement, so too that automatic promotion went down to the last game.  I like our owner.
There was a time not so long ago that the second division was relatively equal competition wise (the best league in Europe) - parachute payments and the refusal of the EFL and PL to recognise and sort the problem out,  have ruined that, so too have Sky and the EFL ruined kick off times and therefore a significant part of the overall experience.  We are going to have to get used to losing more often, being outplayed more often, settling, initially at least, for mid table averageness, signing players that might find buying into the club culture that bit harder and, most of all, ignoring the 'noises off' - social media will, if this season is anything of an example, have the potential to become a toxic slurry at times.  Refereeing and officiating standards will continue to be low.
Despite all that I'm looking forward to it, just as I've looked forward to the start of every one of the last 61 seasons that I have been watching my team play live.  I know it's nearer the end of watching live than the beginning for me and I envy those of you that have longer to go; I wish that some of you had more patience and realised that teams of human beings take time to develop and isn't a precise science and that there will come a time when you too will be contemplating your last few seasons.  Make the most of it while you can. It's meant to be fun!

Just read this thread in one go.  I was expecting a lot of negative stuff so was pleasantly surprised - I guess it helps greatly that we’ve been promoted but all the stuff praising the opposition’s fans is spot on.  They’re supporting - for the most part - very unfashionable clubs.  Their HOME town.  Looked down upon by many - including us until we had to join them.  
 
As some have said, the Carlisle fans summed it up perfectly - great fans, decent fans.  Next season I’m looking forward to renewing rivalries but at times the atmosphere will be toxic.  Until I read this thread, I didn’t realise that I might actually miss League 1 just a little bit.

Pray for Thompson's liver.
 

Great photo of the academy lads put on Twitter by Sibley…

Jake Rooney seems like such a genuinely lovely lad doesn't he. What a nice thing to sit and play guitar for your mates after going up. I hope he has a part to play next season.

B4 was Daniel Beavis. A lifelong DCFC supporter who died suddenly in November, just hours after attending the Crewe away match. He was only 38 and had held a season ticket for almost 30 years. B4 was his username on this forum where he was well know for his unique take on all things DCFC and his kindness to others. Despite the situation of the club or inconsistency of results, he was unbelievably positive. Dan had learning difficulties and despite what he may have typed on here at times, he was actually quite vulnerable and his world was quite small. His whole world revolved around his beloved Derby County. His death has been a shock to us but his passion and love for DCFC has left an effect on many who knew him, in person or virtually. He was also my brother. 
 

This was Dan at Wembley at the last play offs for Derby. Seems appropriate to repost it today 🐏❤️🐏

We don’t know the reason for it but Daniel just stopped breathing in his sleep. The ambulance crew got a very faint heartbeat, so he went onto life support in ICU but he died two days later. Nothing showed up on hospital tests or the digital autopsy, so the coroner stated natural causes. He had a cold prior to it but had said he was feeling better. It seems that he would felt very little if anything when he stopped breathing, which is some comfort. The night before he had been at the Crewe away match and had fish and chips for his dinner. I’m glad he was doing something he loved on his last evening. Today is very tough 💔

Dan might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, none of us are, but he was harmless. He just didn’t understand some boundaries or points of views as most of us would. Several people have messaged me to acknowledge they weren’t always as patient or polite as they could have been. There are no hard feelings about that all. There’s a difference between impatience or pulling someone up when needed, than purposely being cruel to someone. 

I'd like to think that his legacy will be "Be More B4". It's a lovely sentiment, befitting the guy. Kudos to the member who came up with it, and we all know that the internet can be a horrible place - but B4 was just 'nice'.

Bye Max, all the best lad, you did us proud at the end and throughout your Derby career.
Sad to see you in Robins shirt but all good things come to an end, but so good your career with us ends with a defining moment, on your 200th appearance and final game.
Fitting end, once a Ram 🐏 

Championship breakfast! 
 

... The day before. Reflections of yesterday with a bangin head!
It wasn't just Pride Park or the Neptune - it was the whole of Derby - some places have it and some don't, it's that simple!
It's easy to support Liverpool, it's easy to follow one of the Manchester clubs.
I don't think there is a greater footballing place in the UK than Derby!
COYR!

Just watched the game on Rams Tv and the celebrations afterwards which were very emotional. Need to say a huge thank you to Owen Bradley who I think has worked tirelessly this season to bring us superb coverage of matches, interviews etc. He gets better and better. Shaun Barker has also made a great contribution to the season. Please say thank you to the entire team that you front. Hope you are back next year(