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.
Have been told tonight that the administrators are 95% confident Mike Ashley will takeover at Derby. I know this has gone on forever so that statement doesn’t mean much.
Apologies if this is already known, I haven’t been following the saga too closely recently.
Ed Dawes on Radio Derby said "I was forced to watch Forest on Sky last night"
Jamie Ward straight back at him "I was forced to play for them!"
Once a Ram!
I am so sorry for your loss and I certainly know how it feels but your dad is right even throw he has gone trust me he is not far away from you trust me on that one.
Drop the ban hammer @DarkFruitsRam7!
I think we'll smash posh today but i've gone 0-0 every match with the aim of winning the prediction league without predicting a single loss. I was right at the top for ages and would've gotten away with it too if it wasn't for those pesky kids.
What defines Derby County to me:
The older chap who sits behind me at PPS. I asked him once at the match “how are you mate?”
“Not bad. Apart from the fact I’m here”.
If Derby achieve the impossible by staying up, despite 2 point deductions, how about we replicate this fete by putting 2 stars on next seasons strips, they've put them next to us in the league table.....what a finger up that would be to the EFL
Well you think you can mess with our club and get away with it guess again we Derby county minus 21 we are staying up and mel is coming for you there will be sea of black and white in the riverside like cocu said you mess with one of us you mess with all of us and we are going to win you guys mark my words.
We are staying up we are staying up
Efl teffied Derby on fire.
Great start for @DarkFruitsRam7, on the Budweiser, whilst not the greatest, it's an improvement on Carling.
Did get ID'd again, which we knew was coming when they handed him a children's menu on the way in.
Its give Parry a way out. If he blocks this the MP's and the publicity will finish him. Gibson will be furiously messaging and ringing him but I reckon Parry will be uncontactable this evening.
Gibsons head may explode and Teeside will be covered in curly pubes.
MARTIN SAMUEL: Derby are on the brink of extinction and had 21 points deducted - isn’t that enough now? Middlesbrough and Wycombe lawsuits are based on playing fantasy football.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10424221/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Middlesbrough-Wycombes-lawsuits-Derby-based-fantasy-seasons.html
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