Miggins

We have very similar back stories. I loved going to Molineux as a kid but when I finally persuaded my dad to take me to the Baseball Ground on a warm May evening to see us beat QPR, that was it.... a life sentence.

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

As long as you slice her thinly enough! ?

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

As long as you slice her thinly enough! ?

Born and bred in Barrow-in-Furness. Started following the mighty rams in junior school in the mid seventies. I’m the youngest of four brothers. Two brothers support Liverpool and my other brother was a Everton fan so I didn’t want to follow them. At junior school their was twins from dirty Leeds so not a chance. The only other team was the rams and I’m so glad I decided to support them. Never a dull moment following our great club. Hopefully better times to come. 

Born and bred in Ilkeston where I lived until the late 80's before starting my career and moving to staffs.
Met my wife in Staffordshire so I'm still living there together with our son but it's only a 40 minute drive to pride park thankfully.
I've been a rams fan since I was about five and my uncle used to take me to the baseball ground.
I always loved playing football and one day whilst playing on Victoria park in Ilkeston we were scouted as a group by a chap who was after players for the Ilkeston branch of the junior rams so I played for them as centre forward for the next 3 or 4 years and played at the bbg twice a I recall.
Whilst I always followed the rams I really started going back in the 2014 Mac era when the football being played reignited my passion and I've been a regular ever since.
Finally bought our first season ticket in 2019 after I retired from my career and the endless world of shift work and could actually now make just about every home game.
My poor lad was obviously indoctrinated by me despite all of his mum's family being wolves fans and nearly found himself in a sticky situation at the weekend when he and a fellow young ram started singing the dcfc chant at 2am in a Stafford nightclub.
Quite proud of that though?
 

Similar story to me. I was born in Wolverhampton and grew up in Staffs too.
My Nan and Grandad used to watch Wolves in their glory days, and their son and grandson both supported Wolves too. The 80s were pretty dire times for Wolves though, down in the bottom division with no money and loads of violence. My Grandad had fallen out of love with football I think, so there was never much of a push to follow them. My dad loves football too, but never really supported anyone, and was also put of by what matches had become.
I think I had already picked up on Wolves fan's belief that they had a divine right to be the best team too. Maybe all teams have a bit of that, but it always felt a bit more self-entitled with Wolves.
Anyway, it wasn't for me, nor was supporting Liverpool who all other kids followed if not Wolves.
I think I was aware of Derby first through Simon Groom on Blue Peter. It was rare in those days for famous people to talk about a football team they support, so it must have stuck with me.
I used to like listening to football on radio, but West Midlands stations didn't do commentary from what I remember, plus they covered lots of different teams too. I discovered Radio Derby were mainly focused on one team and also had commentary of just Derby too. They also had Graham Richards too.
Combined with the promotion and success at the end of 80s, plus a sticker album and Dean Saunders, I got hooked.
My dad, and myself, played sport every weekend so little opportunity to get to any games.
Appropriately, my first game was at Wolves, sitting in their fans with orders to not give anything away. We won 3-2 with 2 late goals, and I imagined to keep a lid on it until we got back in the car.
I did see a Wolves scum walk pass a quite geeky looking fan in Derby shirt after the game and smash him in the stomach. My decision to support Derby was validated on every level!
Since those times I lived in Yorkshire, London and north of London. Got to games where I can, including lots of away games in the South East. Looking forward to taking my boys again to Pride Park, their last game was Leeds playoff first leg. A lot has changed since then!

Born in Derby, spent my infant years in Normanton near the BBG (Violet Street) then moved up North aged 4. 
First got into football about 9 & was told I had to be a Ram because of where I was born. Started looking out for results from 1987 after we came up into old First Division. My Grandad never really liked football but was Derby through & through...bought me a replica top when I was 10 & then got me the Match of the Day video for Derby. Was amazing seeing those old European matches & I was hooked from then on. 
Moved to Leeds 16 years ago for work...love the city, love the people but will always be a Ram. Always got my Derby top on around town, plenty of other Rams up here too. COYR

The nearest I have lived to Derby is some 99 miles away. Moved further, and further, south over the years. It was about 67 or 68 that I started showing some interest in football (aged 7) and the old man (not a football fan) arrived home one night with 3 framed pictures, which I understand were part of a giveaway by Esso or Shell garages based on a ‘buy petrol win prizes promotion’. Could have been a Fulham or West Brom fan, but was seduced by 12 guys in white, standing in front of a green corrugated iron shed.  The picture here (middle) is not the one, but it brings back lovely memories. Up the Rams.
 

Born Derby (Nightingale).
Lived in various places since going to uni.
Now exiled somewhere down sarf.
Always a Ram ?

I’m from Bristol and have no association with Derbyshire other than the football team, which I started supporting at primary school.
Like many I was seduced by a team playing well in the top tier and like the kit and ram logo. I soon started to idolise not the forwards but McFarland and Todd, and spent my own football career as a defender.
Something about this football team has me hooked, and I’ve stuck by them ever since.
 

Born in Ilford, east London/Essex, moved to Waterlooville (Portsmouth) at 2 years old, then to Luton when I was 6.
I was 8, 1976, when I chose Derby as my team, everyone else were Arsenal,Leeds,Liverpool, Man Utd. Probably helped that my school was called Ramridge, that must have swung it for me I think. I remember the FA Cup semi in 1976.
Moved to Bursledon (Southampton) in 1977 and then to Middleton on Sea (Bognor Regis) in 1985, a week before my 18th.
Then to Goring by Sea (Worthing) in 1990 where i got married, had kids etc.
Lived there til I got made redundant, lost my mum to kidney cancer and got the same cancer myself all within 18 months.
At this point, kids had finished Uni and no longer at home so we decided to move while we could.
So, at the grand old age of 51, we moved to Mickleover because the wife felt good about it when we drove round all the Derby suburbs. She'd also surprised me by enjoying the football at PP the few times we'd been able to make the trip up so we go together now which is awesome.
Special thanks to those great people on this forum for helpful advice on everything around that, particularly Boycie for the plasterer and the kitchen ?

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

Born near Coventry and started supporting Derby in Clough and Taylor era. You can imagine my delight when my dad started to support that other team when Cloughie joined them!
Joined the RAF and been few places and met many Rams on my travels, now live in Norfolk and have three kids, who spookily all support Derby, used to take them all to the games when they were younger….I have now started on the Grandkids….
My only ever team and would support no one else, no matter what…..

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

Does Mrs Miggins make good pies?

Great thread, @kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong! It's been interesting to read the comings and goings of 'The best supporters in the world' as @BodminRam says. A little sad to read how a couple of moves have been due to bereavement or family breakups - sending a hug your way. 
 Born in Burton, brought up in Barton-under-Needwood (5 miles south of Burton). My uncle used to take me to the Derby home games during the week in the early 1970's and he made me a little box to stand on so I could see. On the way out he would keep a tight hold of me but we still got parted and I remember that weird sensation of moving forwards in the tightly packed crowd but my feet were not touching the ground. I can still tell you the name of every player at that time (my favourite was John McGovern because the crowd were not always kind to him.) Left school and went to London Uni for 4 years. Loved London, but wouldn't have wanted to stay there. Got a job teaching in Glossop, North Derbyshire. Great place to live. 5 minutes and you are out in the Peak District whereas 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you are in the centre of Manchester. Best of both worlds. Lived in Glossop for about 20 years. Met the love of my life and moved down to Belper. Left teaching after 31 years as a teacher/ deputy head. Worked near Lichfield for 10 years looking after plants in a garden centre but the family owned business was a victim of lockdown and closed completely. I still live in Belper which I love! Go over to Barton 4 days a week to spend time with my wonderful mum who is now 90. Hoping to get to more home games this season! Finis!!?
 

Great thread ?

Born just over the border in Burton where I saw Jackie Stamps playing late in his career. Dad watched the Rams in the 30`s but it was my mum who took me to games when we were in the 3rd Division North. Train to Pear Tree and Normanton before walking to the Baseball Ground.   Now in Somerset but once a Ram.......
 

I was born in Oxford and live in Lincoln now.
my grandad went to a game with his best mate (a massive Derby supporter) in the 60’s and decided to start supporting them, my dad was born and grew up supporting us, I was born and my dad forced me to suffer and I’m going to force my kids too! 

Great stories here, brilliant sunday reading!
I was born in Finland, and I still live here. I’ve been a football fan since I was a small kid, but I never found a team of my own. I tried Ajax while living in Amsterdam, but it didn’t stick (even though this was in the mid 90’s with Litmanen etc) and later Malaga in the early 00’s.
Then about ten years later in 2011 something beautiful happened. My girlfriend at the time got an opportunity to study abroad for a year and she wanted to go to the UK. There were three universities to choose from if I recall correctly: Leicester, Swansea and Derby. She chose Derby…
Fortunately I was able to follow her to Derby a bit later. We found a nice apartment at Charnwood Street and ended up living there for a year. I started to listen to Derby’s games on radio and watched all televised games. I remember being in The Neptune when Steve Davies broke his skull.
Then in December we went to Pride Park for the first time, and I was sold. Derby vs Leeds, 1-0. Jamie Ward scored but especially I remember how good Barker-Shackell partnership was.
So, finally I found my own team and I’ve been supporting the Rams ever since. I haven’t been to Derby after 2012 but hopefully this will be fixed sooner than later. I’ve been subscribing Rams TV from the beginning and even with the recent price hike it’s well worth the money.
I wonder if the are some other Rams supporters here in Tampere area ..?
 
 

Great thread this.
Born in Stretton, Burton, which is a stone’s throw from Derbyshire and half the town supports Derby anyway. My uncle got my brother to support Derby, and it was natural for me to be a Derby fan from there.