AbuDerbyDave

You’re going to be gutted this morning, and rightly so.
But it ain’t all bad.
When we dropped out of the old 2nd division into the 3rd in 1984 things were in many ways, worse.
We didn’t (quite) have the financial issues, but we had a horrible team and the entire season was utterly depressing and devoid of hope in a way this season hasn’t been.
My personal highlight of an utterly depressing season was meeting Dave Watson in a Little Chef on the A1 after we spanked Cambridge away 3-0 in the FA Cup. That was pretty much it for ducks sake.
AND we had not just relegation, but the ignominy of losing to Plymouth in the FA Cup quarter-final to contend with after we had dragged them back to the BBG.
We all thought that we’d bounce right back when we did get relegated and the arrival of Arthur Cox just emboldened that belief.
An opening day away loss to Bournemouth, when Bournemouth then were more like the equivalent of Exeter now, didn’t dissuade us.
Of course, we didn’t bounce back and ended up outside the top 6.
But we had some BRILLIANT away days that season, Hull, Lincoln, and the last game of the season at Newport spring to mind.
It was a whole lot more fun than the previous season because we were, for the most part, competing and you could see what Arthur was trying to do.
There’s something fun about going to smaller clubs and taking the place over. Those of you who travel to away games know that the camaraderie is special.
In fact, the adversity that we have faced this season has developed that camaraderie, only it’s done it at home.
I work online and use social media a lot and the admiration for Derby’s support, especially those of you who travel away is a delight to read. I’ve even read genuine Forest and Leeds fans say they’re impressed.
And what’s not to be impressed about?
Forget the trolls who are loving this, the REAL football supporters appreciate and understand what Rooney has dragged the club through and the guy is universally respected, exponentially more so than when he was merely an excellent player.
He’s now an excellent ex-player and an excellent human being. Time will tell if he can become an excellent manager, but the signs are promising.
The second year under Arthur we did come up and that season was even better for road trips..
I’ve seen Derby beat Benfica, Real Madrid, every top English club multiple times and Forest many times. But if I were to list the best 5 games I’ve ever attended, Derby at home to Rotherham in the old 3rd Division on a Friday night would be up there.
That game with that penalty that took us back up to what would now be the Championship was a raucous, intense and then delirious atmosphere ending in an effing celebration comparable with any I have witnessed - although to be fair, my memory is a tad blurry because we did hit the pub hard.
I doubt there was a Liverpool fan that got anything like the joy from beating Man City in the cup semi or will get more if they win the thing, than we Derby fans got from squeaking past Rotherham that night.
The fact is, winning is just fun, no matter what division you are in. And beating adversity is fun too. So much more satisfying and enjoyable than just delivering on what’s expected.
Somebody posted that they hope we're not that team that thinks they will bounce back up.
I don't really care if fans think that. It's totally irrelevant.
What is relevant is what WR thinks and what he allows his staff and players to think.
And I have no doubt whatsoever that he'll not allow that entitled type of mindset to creep in.
The good news is we have renewed hope for a stable club, a very promising manager in place, an Academy that is flourishing even if it is being pillaged and some wins to look forward to.
We are where we are, so we may as well embrace it and have fun. And you will have some fun, I promise.

I'd like to support the lads but hanging around for 15 years seems a bit much...... ?

Sad not to have led an unbeaten miracle of match threads through to the end of the season, and a final day miracle. Great to see the solidarity between players and fans, and on this board. We're far from out of the woods and the most important thing now is that we still have a club next season, able to take its place in League One.
Amazing to see Rooney currently committing himself to staying with us. He remains an idol for many footballers and could be the single biggest influence in persuading players to sign on again if the EFL ever allows that to happen. Clearly we have a lot of young talent at the club and it's important to keep hold of as much of it as we can. We've only been in the third tier twice before, and both times just for two years. Let's hope we can survive, stabilize the club and come back stronger.
Derby til I die!

We're on the cusp of relegation but the manager, coaching staff and every single player come out of this season with enormous credit.
I am proud to be a Derby County supporter.
It has been a privilege to witness the effort of all those at the club this season.
The staff and the supporters do not deserve what we've been through - and football has to restructure itself so this does not keep happening.
But what we've seen on the pitch - against all the odds has been staggering.
Rooney, Ram ? 
Rosenior, Ram ? 
The whole squad, Rams ? 
Those behind the scenes, Rams ? 
Thank you to all of you. COYR ?

I'm satin the garden with my basecoat on rollering my eyes. These puns get worse, and that's my vinyl say on the matter. 

I’m getting all emulsioinal thinking about it 
 

If we'd have romped away with the Championship Sky would have found fault with us, Their pundits fawn over the fashionable teams, Loved how the one(name forgotten)spunked all over Fulham before the game, Then swallowed that sticky stuff with a grimace, I detest Sky Football with a passion and soon to be got rid of ?
Thompson was my MOTM this boy has energy a little naïve but with age he can only get better, That run for the goal was tremendous, Another Willie Carlin or Archie Gemmill in the making ?
Mondays a time to change our away form...and wipe that arsehead Charlie Austins face off. 

I agree
You haven't explained it well

We will still be in trouble with the ELF though ?

I really CBA anymore, going tonight but not really excited in the slightest. Cheers for ruining it for me, Mel.

League One won’t know what’s hit them. We’ll be back we’ll before this time next year. 

oh well, 
game over, let’s get ready to rumble!!
In league one, 
I was chuckling when I kept seeing the scores, it’s so Derby County to have these kind of results go against us.

Long gone will be those glamorous  Tuesday night's at home to the likes of Luton, Millwall, Reading & Hull.

That’s fantastic and I’m sure there are many others who think the same. ?
If you are in a position to not have to “think” about prioritising spend in these times then brilliant - it must be a great feeling.  I suspect many season ticket holders will have to balance spend in the next 12 months and give serious consideration to renew or not to renew.
My main point was that if Wayne is manager next season I will be there come what may, irrespective of which league we are in - partly because it is a good signal towards the new owners intentions but also because the loyalty that Wayne has shown the club deserves my loyalty in return, irrespective of other factors.
Reality is that if we still have a club next season then I’m sure I will be there, as I have been for the last 45 years.  COYR

The whole Ebosele debacle is shocking and seems to be completely counterproductive in supporting the admin process... losing such a talented player for free when he could have been locked down to a contract and potentially sold to support the financing of the club's debts is madness. Another EFL rooster up in my eyes - how can they not see this kind of double punishment only serves to push the club further into oblivion.
The other terrible thing with Ebosele is that the English game is losing another fantastic young talent to foreign leagues... yes Festy is Irish, but surely we want to retain such talent to play in the EPL/EFL as he's the kind of players fans pay money to watch...

Just listening to Rooney's Press Conference and the praise he has for the players - young and old.
I'm filled with anger at the current situation, frustration, but most of all with sadness.
They're a great group of players. Rooney, himself, is growing as a manager.
I'm sure the state of the club has helped them pull together.
But, nonetheless, I wonder what they could have gone on to achieve but, we're losing them, one by one at the moment, with Ebosele the latest to go. And Rooney is saying "the team will be ripped apart in the summer". That's because, in his view, Festy is the only one who would go abroad, so the others have to wait until their contracts are up in the summer so they can move to other English clubs.
It's heartbreaking to think what they may have achieved if we'd been able to keep them all together.
Even now, there is still a chance if a sale is made before too long. I'm just not that hopeful anymore. Tragic. COYR ?

Mel can rot in hell, and yes you can remove my post if it makes you feel better.
Just can’t hold it back

Well I am calling all derby fans to stand by this team we have done all season they need hear the derby roar and see everyone on there feet we have been kicked while we are down but like rocky film we are knocked down we get right back up and keep moving forward. The lads need us raise the roof let send a little message to new owner or owners just how much this club means to us.

Oh boy, here we go, was only a matter of time before they went under the who are you, why are you better than us and the you don’t represent me spotlight.
Would appear that this has come about as that have been “attacks” on other fans from some of the members, so Ryan started looking into them and their authority. Not sure who he is referring to, I only follow one of the members and haven’t personally seen anything, although I don’t tend to stray outside my narrow line on there.
The 13 have been named in the replies now for what it’s worth and their authority comes from the number of Twitter followers they have, where in the world of social media this does represent a membership base. Yes you will have bots, fake accounts in the numbers, however that would represent a very small percentage of that number and still shows a healthy number for the club to interact with.
Not too dissimilar to this forum, it’s just quicker to press follow than sign up here, but that doesn’t make their “member base” any less important.
Gone are the days of filling out forms, paying annual memberships, social club meetings. The internet gives supporters groups far more reach now and if you can create a platform that has enough eyes on, you have a reason why the club will open a line of communication with you.
I had some disagreements with the more traditional supporter group whilst we was in the SCG, we were prevented from releasing the information following the meetings as they wanted time to relay the information to their members via the more traditional methods. My argument was always it’s not about who’s first, let’s just get the information out there. Anyhow I’m going over old ground here.
Am I arsed personally by who the 13 are and how the group came about? Not really, likewise I have no real feelings on how long RamsTrust board members remain in control. At the end of the day if they can provide fans with relevant information I as a fan am grateful for that, stay in power longer than Putin.
The abuse, the commitment to attend meetings, I have to respect the thick skin they have, the resilience to continue for the fans that like myself are grateful.
BAWT will make mistakes as other fans are not so forgiving on the lack of transparency, some will want their chance to be elected,want to know the process and what underwear you are wearing each day.
It’s like those that walk into a hotel room, run their fingers along the top of the mirrors looking for dust, a reason to complain, whilst others just want a bed for the night and a layer of dust will not keep them up all night.

Shame on you Angie, you know there is no better job.?

I hope those wishing Rooney out of the door won't also be the same ones condemning his disloyalty if he decides to take a better job after the end of the season whilst his stock is high.
 

Old @one_chop has more drinking mates than I thought then.