Ramrob

Cheers Rich. You’re right on the social thing. I’ve gone from being a season ticket holder and regular away traveller, to watching on my laptop on my own at 8am this season. And I’ll admit, it’s massively affected how invested I’ve been. 
I found out a couple of weeks ago that I could be home for the final two games (received some financial assistance for the flight), and it’s like I’ve never been away. I got in from a night out at 4am on Saturday morning, and yet it was the easiest wake up call I’ve ever had for the game.

Fantastic posts. @Archied really got me thinking. Football fandom is a very social thing. I try not to miss a single game, but celebrating goals and victories or suffering losses on my own just isn't the same. Fortunately a couple of friends texted me last week to say that they were coming to my home next  Saturday to watch the game with me and help me celebrate. At first I thought "well, ok", but now I'm really excited about it. Having friends with me (I'll also be thinking about my dad who left us two years ago) will make it so much sweeter. @B4’s Sister, I'm sure you and your family will shed a few tears at the final whistle knowing how your brother would be feeling. Let it all out, he deserves it.
And please, please, please Derby, don't 🦆 it up.

Mods , we really need a plain simple old smile imogi added that we can respond with ,,, many posts just need a pure makes me smile response 

Allow me... if you will... to hark back to times of old...
The very first attendance by this then 12 year old boy at the BBG.
Spookily, it was v Carlisle, and spookily v.2, it was the final game of the season.
Yeah, ok, the game was rubbish.  Yeak, ok, I didn't witness any goals, and yeah ok, the players appeared to be a tad tipsy on the day.
But what a classy bunch of players they were.
Crisp white uniform tops, looking as resplendent as anything the US Navy could aspire to, hoisting and tossing the shiniest, and most coveted trophy around, for all to see, all to share, all to be proud of, and all to rejoice in, as one massive "in it together" football family.
... And not a pitch invasion in sight! 
Classy players.  Classy fans.  Classy Football Club!

I repeat... this was the first game of my Derby County supporting career.  I could have easily walked away, as there was no tie. 
That day, or any day since, I could have headed off and simply changed my shirt. (Red was very popular for the following few decades!)
But this was the day that made me think "Yeah.  I can stick with this for the rest of my life.  Once a Ram, always a Ram.  I'm in" 
The classiness of that day had not passed me by.  I was in.  I was hooked.  🐏

We'll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of this, next season. 
Shall we invade the pitch after every home game to mark the occasion? 👀
 
 

And how good did those flags look yesterday with current players and the manager on them? Brilliant from Popside Fanatics.
 

Daniel will see us through. 
Guiding us supporters like Steve Bloomer guides our players.
 
 

What an afternoon. Great times in the Cambridge end. Loads of us in the corner celebrating at the end. The train home, chuffin brilliant
 
Up The Rams 🐏 
Rams are going up Ole Ole…

Are you sure it wasn't Thommo in his carry-cot?

Well the worst thing about home end is not not celebrating but not instinctively tutting or groaning when we lose the ball.  Their fans next me really did not like NML, Tommo, Ebou or Sibs showing they were good. The advantage of the home end was meeting lots of players and PW when they emerged. Not only does Collins work hard on the pitch but he carries very big bags to the bus

Very nervy today. Second half was an abomination but the three centre halves won and blocked everything. Thought Nelson was going to flatten Wildsmith at one point. He wasn’t on his own. 
Just watched the highlight - Sibley’s pass was exceptional, far better than I remembered. A really good goal. 
Great effort from all today - enjoyed the undercover Rams. Great 3 points. Let’s worry about not having any players for next season after next week. For now, 3 more points in the bag. One to go. 
COYR
🐏

Well, I'm back after managing to watch the whole game in with the home fans, unlike many who were 'spotted' by the stewards and ejected from the ground. 
I thought that I'd blown it when NML scored, by throwing my arms in the air and very briefly jumping up and down. 
The six of us decided at half time to split up and it was every man for himself. Not much happened in the second half to give us away.
At least we were able to group together after the final whistle and join in the bounce.

This is a testament to Nelson and Cash for me.

…are you for the last 2 games? I’ve been home & away for most of the season but had to reluctantly relinquish my tickets for Cambridge & Carlisle for the sunnier clime of Sri Lanka from where I’ll be watching tonight. Pre-match today I’m taking plenty of fluid on board and doing some light pool work just to keep myself loose. It’s my birthday tomorrow so hopefully the Rams will present me with 3 points just to make tomorrow sweeter. 
Where are you watching from if you’re not at the game? 🐏

Oh I don’t know about that.  I reckon I’d have a good shout at keeping Mikel Beck in my pocket.  And I was never a centre back 😂 

A bit like Rooney when he played for us!!

I have the radio on, so I can shout at it. Then if we are losing badly the black dog descends and the radio is turned off. Then all the mental gymnastics kick in. If I leave it switched off the boys will surprise me, or alternatively I have to keep listening cos they need me, or If I keep listening I’ll jinx them. So I go and cut grass .. but then slip back to BBc sport on an iPad just to check of its “safe to come out” Away games for half fans is torture ! 

Unlikely but we could be one day from escaping League One.
Tantalising.

I think you’ve missed my point there, or I’ve missed yours.  No pitchforks intended from me.  I was trying to say it’s different times and society.  Back then, you really debated the football and formed your view of the general feeling of supporters by the opinions of your mates and those you went to the match with.  Now, you get views of anyone, anywhere in the world instantly.  Plus, more exposure to different styles of football from across the world.
I suspect if the internet, social media and as much live football on TV existed in the 80’s you’d see similar views.  From Arthur Cox is clueless we should walk the league, to we nearly went bust 2 years ago and he’s done an amazing job.  It would probably be very similar to now.  Flip it round, a lot the people I know think PW is doing alright and deserves to keep his job next year regardless.  With no internet, etc, I’d think all Rams fans felt similar.
I’ve probably done a very bad job of saying it’s hard to compare eras a feeling amongst fans.

I can't help with tickets, but I hope that: a) your Dad's progress continues; b) you manage to get him a ticket for the final day; but most importantly that he continues to progress his recovery.  You don't need to tell him a Pompey fan sends him best wishes, but I'm pretty sure if others from the 92 saw this note they'd all be saying the same thing.  Love to you and yours.

If there's anyone else out there that can help myself and a friend who wouldn't mind swapping seats for 2 tickets for the Carlisle game, we can meet at the Clough/Taylor statue...If you can here's my 2 seats.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Hi All,
Don't really post much but I thought some of you might like to see these film photos I got at Pride Park. Hoping to get down and do this again sometime. Fingers crossed when we're in the championship next season. Let me know what you think.
Link here
Derby County v Blackpool

This camera was my Dad's (Also a big derby fan, he's on here somewhere) and had been sitting in the loft for years before getting a new lease of life. It's an Olympus OM1 if anyone cares, think it's from the 80s. Shot on Ilford XP2 film.

A few also up on instagram and some other photos if anyone wants to see.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C50d-TZiHqL/?igsh=b2RwbnpmdnF0OTFp