uttoxram75

Derby-born, Hampshire-raised Pompey fan here, still feeling a bit groggy after our promotion celebrations last night but hoping the Rams will be joining us in the Championship next season.
We came to Derby quite regularly to see my family when I was young and were fortunate to go to the Baseball Ground many times in the late 1960s and 1970s in the Clough and Mackay years.
I was on the Popside in 1975 against Carlisle when the second title was celebrated, there when Roger Davies got sent off against Juventus in the European Cup semi-final, at the 4-4 drew with Man United on Boxing Day 1970.
But the most vivid memories are of the home wins over Liverpool and, particularly the Easter Saturday 2-0 win over Leeds in that 1971-72 season. Men with Pack’Em In boards urging people to move forward to let more into the ground, a guy who walked around the ground with a bell before the match to gee up the crowd and another with dozens of rosettes inside his coat doing the same. “Programmes, get your programmes”, Hot Love blasting out over the PA system at the end of games, incessant shouts of “Derby, Derby” urging the team on. 

Against Leeds Alan Durban came over to our section of the paddock beneath the main stand to take a throw in, grinning all over his face with a two goal lead and not long to go. Everyone around us screamed at him to take the smile off his face and concentrate; the game wasn’t won yet.
Hector, Hinton, O’Hare, the magnificent McFarland and Todd (jumpers for goalposts). My first game was a 4-0 win over QPR in Feb 1968, seen from the seats in the upper Normanton End, my second a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough on Boxing Day 1968. I stood on a milk crate at the front of the middle tier of the Osmaston End.
One traumatic memory is the sight of Bob Wilson standing there in just his jock strap after ripping his shorts playing for Arsenal at the Baseball Ground. After that Easter Saturday victory over Leeds in 1972 I seem to remember watching Derby lose at home to Newcastle on the Easter Monday and thinking they had thrown it away.
But then came that win over Liverpool and Leeds tripping up. My Dad, who grew up reciting the names of the 1946 Cup winning team, had new heroes. And so did we, until living our lives in another part of the country meant going much more regularly to Fratton Park (or The Dell in my brother’s case, sadly).
But we still look out for Derby. We took my Dad to the Charlton game at Pride Park last season and I’ve been to see Pompey this season and before.
Wishing you every success and the hope that you all will have similar fond memories of Pride Park.
 
 

Totally agree with your second paragraph. However, whilst it would be more exciting to finalise promotion at home on the last day, for the sake of my heart, I’d be quite happy if we confirmed promotion at Cambridge. 😀

I'm a few years older than you and haven't been able to listen to or watch the away games since the Northampton debacle - even then, I've had angst about when to check on the final score and even which website to get it from - it's ridiculous! 🙄
I may just try to sleep through the game on Saturday.

Haha, i remember the sex shop next to the Ramtique on Ossie Road, many a young chap lingered outside nervously then shot into the Ramtique if they saw anyone looking at them!
 

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

Probably, given relative resources. But the opportunity to bloody a nose or two in the process is a delicious prospect. 

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

I hope it all works out for you fella - I know what it's like living amongst the heathens.

If i was a tad younger and not under petticoat government i'd be there......😬

We were discussing the repeating of puns oar weren't you listening.
Cox Punt.
 
I love spoonerisms me. 🤣

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

Bolton play Port Vale this Saturday. Its a must win for Vale or they're down. Hopefully the biggest club in Staffordshire will get the result they need to stay up. The chance of playing their noisy neighbours from across the dystopian wasteland next season will motivate them even more to stay up!
 
It would be rather nice to wave to the Stokies as we pass them coming down from an Utcheter perspective as well.
 
Bloody hell, could the stars align that much to see the gumps down, Leicester fck up and Derby slip effortlessly into the Championship?
 

Tell her you’re nipping to the shop for milk
# B4

Didn’t say so. Would be good to see him play before he leaves though

He was there tonight that's for sure.

You asked, he answered

I really need people to stop saying so many nice things about Ebou. It's going to break my heart if he doesn't end up signing for us 🤣

Straight from the horses/footballers mouths:
Wildsmith was asked about rumours of him leaving Derby. He has not yet been offered a new contract. 
Ebou and his missus are absolutely loving everything about Derby. He said there are several things that need to fall into place about signing but seemed positive. He is the loveliest down to earth person. Didn’t stop smiling all night. If we need to forcefully restrain him to keep him here count me in! He doesn’t mind the Ebou chant sounding like booing. 
Dwight Gayle is recovering well and hoping to be back next week.
Max Bird still very much focused on the next too games, despite moving on. 
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing smells very nice
 
 
 
 

Me giving Ryan Nyambe a bit of advice on how to handle those tricky wingers next season. 😂

What a brilliant night! Dan (B4) and Angie Vallance received the Alfreton supporters award.  I almost missed it as I was in the loo 😂 the glass award is lovely and will have pride of place in my parents house. The players looked visibly touched when it was announced Dan and Angie were being awarded posthumously. It was lovely to see so over 200 people there to celebrate DCFC and those who love the club. I had no idea what to expect but it was amazing. Lovely food and company. I had no idea the players and David Clowes would be there, so that was a lovely surprise. 

I had a season ticket for 30 years until I moved to the US. I followed Derby home and away and have stood on terraces with a handful of other Rams fans in the days in the old second division when we had nothing like the away support we have now. And home games dipped under 10k. I put on bus trips many times from Matlock and I was as loyal as pretty much anybody on this board.

I now live in western Cornwall, and getting back for games is very difficult. Not least because the number of painkillers I have to take because I get sciatica when driving for more than an hour, is verging on suicidal.

I freely admit I'd not want to put myself through the pain and discomfort of driving 6 or 7 hours each way for a meaningless game, so if that means 'sunshine supporter' to you, so be it. But I'm relaxed in the knowledge that I've put in my time and spent tens of thousands of pounds watching Derby on 70 different league grounds. 

As for why I didn't buy one 4 weeks ago. That was because I had to make a choice of coming up for the Orient game or the last game, and as it was a mate's birthday this last weekend and my wedding anniversary on Saturday, we rolled the dice.

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/1980-1981/second-division/cambridge-united/derby-county/288698
We'll be back in 81