Aberdeenshire Rams

[Inverurie Ram]

’m a Derby County Supporter.
I go to games to support the club.
I’m proud,positive,passionate,honest, humble,enjoy singing songs that create a positive atmosphere to encourage our team and staff to perform.I don’t slag off Derby County Football Club,the club I love. 🐏🤍🖤

[Inverurie Ram]

Oh well the Aberdeenshire Rams are booked to come down south for Sat Dec 2nd and we were hoping to still be in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup against Bristol Rovers at Pride Park on route to seeing The Wedding Present in Coventry on the Saturday night.

Not to worry their is another cup we have a better chance of doing something in it. EFL Cup.

We will still enjoy ourselves, and have a great time and won’t be upset by the early FA Cup exit. Manchester in the area perhaps or a trip to Nuneaton Borough to check out. 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by Inverurie Ram

[Mucker1884]

2 hours ago, Inverurie Ram said:

Oh well the Aberdeenshire Rams are booked to come down south for Sat Dec 2nd and we were hoping to still be in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup against Bristol Rovers at Pride Park on route to seeing The Wedding Present in Coventry on the Saturday night.

Not to worry their is another cup we have a better chance of doing something in it. EFL Cup.

We will still enjoy ourselves, and have a great time and won’t be upset by the early FA Cup exit. Manchester in the area perhaps or a trip to Nuneaton Borough to check out. 

 

 

I think you mean the EFL Trophy mate (Formerly Papa Johns, now Honest John's Car Emporium, or summat similar).
We're long gone from the EFL Cup (Carabao) after losing at home to Blackpool back in August.

🐏

[Inverurie Ram]

3 hours ago, Mucker1884 said:

I think you mean the EFL Trophy mate (Formerly Papa Johns, now Honest John's Car Emporium, or summat similar).
We're long gone from the EFL Cup (Carabao) after losing at home to Blackpool back in August.

🐏

Yeah you knew what I meant, I didn’t want to call it Papa Johns because somebody would be pedantic and correct me.

So these days we now have an EFL Trophy and an EFL Cup that I would have called the Carabao Cup but somebody would be pedantic and correct me.

I enjoyed football when it was 
Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4. FA Cup & League Cup it was all so easy to understand and everyone understood it for decades.

So whatever cup, trophy we are still involved in, and whatever company or football association wants to rename it, rebrand it, call it some name that nobody really cares about whilst robbing more football fans of their well earned cash and all the rest, well we have a better chance of doing better in it, than we can in this seasons FA Cup because we are still in it and let’s face it @Mucker1884 will not be attending the final, because he’ll be far too busy at home wearing his sombrero that he won a cup for and typing away about losing his last sombrero that he won a trophy for whilst riding some donkey in Blackpool.

Who cares? we are still in it, whatever it is…………………

 

[Mucker1884]

@Inverurie Ram,

I wholeheartedly agree with your mini-foray into the past, with your reference to the four league divisions, and just the two main cup comps.  It was indeed easier all round.

I don't think it's pedantic to differentiate between totally different competitions with similar names.  Sponsorship aside, the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy both exist, effectively run side by side, are two completely separate comps... and we started the current season in both of them!  Fact is, we can no longer progress further in The League Cup, however pedantic they may seem to some!

As for the EFL Trophy Final... You couldn't be more wrong...

1/  Despite not having yet attended a game in this competition, I can assure you I will be hunting the Glory ahead of most, when it comes to placing my order for a Wembley ticket! (It would be a lousy atmosphere to be fair, if we limited tickets to the 5-6k regulars that attended the early rounds!)
2/  As I'll be partying in That London, I won't have the time to be typing away on here.
3/  I will be taking my sombrero with me.
4/  I haven't ridden anything in Blackpool... or anyone, for that matter... since The Eighties!

😁👍🍻🐏🏆

 

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by Mucker1884

[Inverurie Ram]

@Mucker1884 thanks for your wonderful reply.

If we did did get to Wembley in any competition this season, I’m bound to be sat behind someone wearing a blooming sombrero wittering loudly all day long about the name of the competition drowning out the wonderful atmosphere!

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/adopt?S=ADPWEBPPC&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlbaUlsDKggMVBo9QBh3aXgn0EAAYASAAEgLZIPD_BwE
 

The engraver is currently engraving @Mucker1884 on the EFL Trophy right now……

[Mucker1884]

Pfft!  Trophy, Schmophy!  Never mind all that tosh mate,

I haven't told you the latest have I?

 

... I got me one of @David's toilet set-ups... it's really good, to be fair...

 

I can be on there for hours... 

 

 

[Inverurie Ram]

It was great to see Chris Maguire ex Derby County & Aberdeen player getting stuck in for Eastleigh FC on Sunday night when they knocked Reading out the FA Cup 2-1.
 

 

 

 

[Inverurie Ram]

Aberdeenshire Rams catch up.

Anyone living / working in the Aberdeenshire area, that would like to watch the game with 3 other Rams fans, and maybe a few more, then come along to the Filthy McNasties pub in Aberdeen to cheer on the mighty Rams at 12 o’clock.

Fleetwood Town v Derby County

Sat 6th January 12:30 kick off.

Filthy McNasties Aberdeen.

37 Summer Street, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 1SB

https://www.mcnastys.co.uk/

See you there.

Up The Rams 🐏

 

[CWC1983]

6 hours ago, Inverurie Ram said:

Aberdeenshire Rams catch up.

Anyone living / working in the Aberdeenshire area, that would like to watch the game with 3 other Rams fans, and maybe a few more, then come along to the Filthy McNasties pub in Aberdeen to cheer on the mighty Rams at 12 o’clock.

Fleetwood Town v Derby County

Sat 6th January 12:30 kick off.

Filthy McNasties Aberdeen.

37 Summer Street, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 1SB

https://www.mcnastys.co.uk/

See you there.

Up The Rams 🐏

 

Should be busy with the Tyne Wear derby on at the same time and no SPL games.

Plenty of TV screens to keep everyone happy. 

Have a Tennants for me 👍

I see AFC have a new Supporters experience manager. Familiar face 😁

 

[Inverurie Ram]

1 hour ago, CWC1983 said:

Should be busy with the Tyne Wear derby on at the same time and no SPL games.

Plenty of TV screens to keep everyone happy. 

Have a Tennants for me 👍

I see AFC have a new Supporters experience manager. Familiar face 😁

 

Yes I saw the familiar face and new AFC Supporters Experience Manager’s tweet on Twitter a week ago or so about such. He’s done very well with all the Ultra stuff at AFC, banners and tifo work at many grounds over the years and he is very passionate about his club, so well done to him, I hope he does really well in his new role at the club.

Edited January 4 by Inverurie Ram

[Inverurie Ram]



Lincoln City 0-0 Derby County
Saturday 20th January 2024.

Attendance 9,700

Just myself went to the LNR stadium from the Aberdeenshire Rams and headed down south on Friday as the news came from Lincoln City about parts of the pitch being frozen, and explaining all the work that goes behind the scenes, to try and make the game go ahead, with a further pitch inspection called for 6pm. 

I was already on my first train from Inverurie to Aberdeen at 5:44pm and I would at least receive an update before my bus to Edinburgh at 6:50pm, it was positive news or news that would mean I was heading to Lincoln, with a further pitch inspection on Saturday morning, that turned out to be at 11:30am. 

So myself and the Aberdeenshire Rams flag travelled down to Edinburgh arriving at 10:05pm. After a short wait I was on another bus at 10:45pm and I was quite happy that the bus arrived 15 minutes late into Meadowhall on Saturday morning at 4:30am, meaning I only had 30 minutes to walk around in the early morning darkness and coldness, before they opened Meadowhall, so I could use the facilities and kept warm for the next 45 minutes, before the first train to Sheffield at 5:45am. Breakfast Roll and Latte and then it was on to the first train to Lincoln Central at 6:35am, arriving to a wonderful sunset at 7:53am and a short stroll along the waterside to the Premier Inn City Centre for 4 hours sleep, tea and a shower, before receiving the great news, from CK, a text stating the pitch inspection at 11:30am was successful. Game is ON.

Met my mate and MD in the Witch & Wardrobe pub at 12:00pm and many wonderful Derby County fans, so chatted football and music before heading off at 1:00pm to The Birdcage pub where the girl behind the bar told us, she was born in Aberdeen but left when she was 2 years old, and then discussed her big pants with MD.

Headed back to the Witch and Wardrobe just before 2:00pm to meet some wonderful people and had another pint before heading up to the ground at 2:15pm to meet some more wonderful people around the fanzone, grabbed myself a cheeseburger with loads of onions and then bumped into another fantastic person with his boy, quick chat with him before heading into the ground, quick slash in the toilets in the dark, no lights working, then off I went, to hang up the Aberdeenshire Rams flag, as I spotted the wonderful lad that does the brilliant vlogs on You Tube, I gave him a shout, then hung my flag up and saw  the fantastic person with the huge Derby County flag, and passed an end up, so the flag could be surfed as the teams came out.

I didn’t bother going to look for my seat as there was plenty of room near my flag, with everyone standing, so I stood beside the flag, and met a brilliant man, and we spent most of the first half talking music whilst keeping an eye on a battling performance against a hard working Lincoln side. It was a game that looked like a single goal would be enough to win it, and with hope, we thought Derby would create the better chances, into the second half. At half time I went for another slash, where two standing spotlights had been set up, with various songs been sung in there regarding such.

After at least 2 good Lincoln chances just before half time, I chatted to CK & MD, we hoped that Lincoln would tire later in the game. Lincoln had at least another 3 great chances in the second half, but the game eventually went on to be a good point for both sides, and an improvement on last seasons defeat at Lincoln City.

I headed back to the Witch & Wardrobe to meet my mate via the chip shop, chips & mushy peas and back into the pub for another Guinness before we moved on to The Still for more football and music chat with brilliant fellow Derby County fans.

I left Lincoln at 8pm to head back to Sheffield on the 8:19pm train for more beer in The Sheffield Tap before heading back to Meadowhall on the 23:08pm train with just under 2 hours to kill, before the 01:05am bus back to Glasgow, followed by the 08:40am bus back to Aberdeen and 12:25pm train back to Inverurie in perfect time for the 1pm kick off, to watch my eldest lad’s team win 5-1, another great weekend. Up The Rams 🐏.

 

[Normanton Lad]

I'm not sure if it's the cold climate or the enormous amount of food you seem to eat, but people from your part of Scotland seem to be very robust. Just reading about your travels makes me feel tired and cold. I've been watching some videos by one of your compatriots from Montrose and he is another trencherman who likes to spend a lot of time on buses and trains. 

UK's longest train journey

 

[Mucker1884]

On 21/01/2024 at 17:50, Inverurie Ram said:



Lincoln City 0-0 Derby County
Saturday 20th January 2024.

Attendance 9,700

Just myself went to the LNR stadium from the Aberdeenshire Rams and headed down south on Friday as the news came from Lincoln City about parts of the pitch being frozen, and explaining all the work that goes behind the scenes, to try and make the game go ahead, with a further pitch inspection called for 6pm. 

I was already on my first train from Inverurie to Aberdeen at 5:44pm and I would at least receive an update before my bus to Edinburgh at 6:50pm, it was positive news or news that would mean I was heading to Lincoln, with a further pitch inspection on Saturday morning, that turned out to be at 11:30am. 

So myself and the Aberdeenshire Rams flag travelled down to Edinburgh arriving at 10:05pm. After a short wait I was on another bus at 10:45pm and I was quite happy that the bus arrived 15 minutes late into Meadowhall on Saturday morning at 4:30am, meaning I only had 30 minutes to walk around in the early morning darkness and coldness, before they opened Meadowhall, so I could use the facilities and kept warm for the next 45 minutes, before the first train to Sheffield at 5:45am. Breakfast Roll and Latte and then it was on to the first train to Lincoln Central at 6:35am, arriving to a wonderful sunset at 7:53am and a short stroll along the waterside to the Premier Inn City Centre for 4 hours sleep, tea and a shower, before receiving the great news, from CK, a text stating the pitch inspection at 11:30am was successful. Game is ON.

Met my mate and MD in the Witch & Wardrobe pub at 12:00pm and many wonderful Derby County fans, so chatted football and music before heading off at 1:00pm to The Birdcage pub where the girl behind the bar told us, she was born in Aberdeen but left when she was 2 years old, and then discussed her big pants with MD.

Headed back to the Witch and Wardrobe just before 2:00pm to meet some wonderful people and had another pint before heading up to the ground at 2:15pm to meet some more wonderful people around the fanzone, grabbed myself a cheeseburger with loads of onions and then bumped into another fantastic person with his boy, quick chat with him before heading into the ground, quick slash in the toilets in the dark, no lights working, then off I went, to hang up the Aberdeenshire Rams flag, as I spotted the wonderful lad that does the brilliant vlogs on You Tube, I gave him a shout, then hung my flag up and saw  the fantastic person with the huge Derby County flag, and passed an end up, so the flag could be surfed as the teams came out.

I didn’t bother going to look for my seat as there was plenty of room near my flag, with everyone standing, so I stood beside the flag, and met a brilliant man, and we spent most of the first half talking music whilst keeping an eye on a battling performance against a hard working Lincoln side. It was a game that looked like a single goal would be enough to win it, and with hope, we thought Derby would create the better chances, into the second half. At half time I went for another slash, where two standing spotlights had been set up, with various songs been sung in there regarding such.

After at least 2 good Lincoln chances just before half time, I chatted to CK & MD, we hoped that Lincoln would tire later in the game. Lincoln had at least another 3 great chances in the second half, but the game eventually went on to be a good point for both sides, and an improvement on last seasons defeat at Lincoln City.

I headed back to the Witch & Wardrobe to meet my mate via the chip shop, chips & mushy peas and back into the pub for another Guinness before we moved on to The Still for more football and music chat with brilliant fellow Derby County fans.

I left Lincoln at 8pm to head back to Sheffield on the 8:19pm train for more beer in The Sheffield Tap before heading back to Meadowhall on the 23:08pm train with just under 2 hours to kill, before the 01:05am bus back to Glasgow, followed by the 08:40am bus back to Aberdeen and 12:25pm train back to Inverurie in perfect time for the 1pm kick off, to watch my eldest lad’s team win 5-1, another great weekend. Up The Rams 🐏.

 

 

Top Fan-ing, buddy.  🐏

 

 

... Not too dissimilar to our own weekend, in fairness.

Checked in mega-early at HIE (c. 10:45) after a horrendous 1hr 20min drive that involved at least 3 red traffic lights, and a runaway cat.  Coffee & cake for lunch.  Almost getting embroiled in a pre-match scuffle down the back street (Well, we had ring-side seats to the ensuing handcuffing operation, but missed the cause of it all).  Seats in mid-row, so shuffling past real people and stuff.  Standing for what seemed like nigh on two bloody hours!  And all topped off with a pleasant evening pub meal, and a couple of tummy-warming spirit-based aperitifs.  Must have been well past 22:20 by the time we hit the sack... and then she made me walk up that bloody hill to the castle... on a Sunday friggin' morning!  FFS!

 

I know!  We're a breed unto ourselves mate.   🍻

[Inverurie Ram]

According to the official dcfc app under friendlies.

Derby Friendlies Competition

Fri 4/11 Derby County v Aston Villa

Abbey Stadium

Sat 12/11 Derby County v Aberdeen

Anfield

Does anyone know what this was or what this is?

 

 

[Inverurie Ram]

Derby County 2-0 Carlisle Utd
Saturday 27th April.

Attendance 31,027
Last game of the 2023/24 season
Derby finish 2nd in the league & promoted.

I contacted Swindon Rams a week before the game to explain about sharing the gangway in the East Midlands Stand. He happily obliged as the flags were hung up beside one another at Carlisle in the away fixture early on in the season 23rd September which also ended up 2-0 to Derby County with James Collins also scoring that day. 

James Collins a great player that gained the wrong type of attention by some fans that chose to do so, in his early fixtures whilst becoming a real important player to the club, in the eyes of others. 

My eldest lad and I left Inverurie on the 17:43 train on Friday evening before grabbing something to eat in Aberdeen before catching the 19:50 overnight Flix bus to Sheffield. An interesting bus journey that included arriving at Edinburgh via Dundee, with a family getting on with a baby, that yelled it’s head off, with the driver making a few comments, that probably matched up with, what every other passenger was thinking!

We arrived in Edinburgh slightly behind time, to be addressed by the bus driver, that there was a slight problem, even though the family with the baby had arrived in Edinburgh and departed the bus. One customer called out “what’s the slight problem?” and received the answer, “we will be delayed for a bit as we have left luggage, still on the pavement in Dundee” so we waited for a while, until this car speedily arrived into the bus depot, quickly transferring some bags on to the bus.

The new driver was ready, and off we went on route to Newcastle, were we picked up new customers, including a Geordie and a Cockney that chatted throughout the night about Arsenal and Newcastle and various jobs they had in life, quite loudly throughout, the morning hours, as the rest of the customers, tried to get some sleep, all probably thinking, when are these inconsiderate sods either going to talk quietly or better still, shut up!

We stopped to pick up and drop off some poor folk in Leeds, whilst enjoying the sights of drunken youngsters, in the early hours wobble in and out, of sad looking clubs.

Before we ended up in Meadowhall well nearly, as the driver didn’t know how to get off the carriageway, and into the bus depot, so as I looked at my watch, with only 10 mins for the first train to Sheffield and on to Derby waiting, and me desperately needing the toilet, it all became very frustrating, leg crossing and me muttering FFS, as for a third time, like a scene out of Caddy Shack or Naked Gun we or she the driver missed the turn off again!, doing the loop da loop once again !!!

Right we arrive, run to the toilet, run for the train, after spending 9 & a half hours on a bus! Rest of the journey includes trying to stay awake on the first train from Sheffield to Derby. We arrive about 7am in the early morning sunshine in Derby Train Station, before exiting and walking past the Merry Widows, The Brunswick and a little de tour under the underpass to check out the Derby County Mural. The boy was still on his ladder and working on the writing, to finish the wonderful piece of work, to be ready for our final game of the season.

We walked up to our hotel, and went straight to bed for 4 hours kip, before a cooked breakfast / brunch and I received a call from a friend about when we were going in the White Horse pub to watch Joey Greener. 
We were still having breakfast so unfortunately we missed a quick catch up with him. But we were soon in The White Horse and queuing to get to the beer garden, surrounded by fellow Rams. We enjoyed a few Joey songs and chants, from the lads and lasses and I enjoyed the facial expressions on my boys face, flags flying, pints flowing and Derby fans with smiles on their faces, expecting a good day out.

We walked up to the ground, along with marching fans, flags aloft and we were soon getting into the spirit of backing the team we all love. Arrived at the turnstiles, (I print tickets off in case phones don’t work) and in the rush and excitement soon found out that my boys print off, wasn’t working and we didn’t even think of using my phone, I usually forward my boy the tickets so he has them, but it just didn’t register to us to get our phones out! 

So off he went to the gate to explain his ticket not working, and a slight sulk from him, was soon forgotten about, as we went to our seats and to the top of the stairs were the Swindon Rams flag awaited with a space for the Aberdeenshire Rams flag to be hung beside it. I met and chatted to Mr Swindon Ram and CK as we posed in front of the flags for a photo. 

We took our seats and enjoyed the singing, flag waving and positive support in a great atmosphere that was building nicely. Teams announced and players took to the pitch with friendly positive fans around, all hoping the team would deliver. Max Bird soon cracked it in, and as we controlled the game, one older fan sat behind us, started to bug me with his whinging, but I managed to block him out, and wondered why he bothered coming along, wondering if he can’t be happy 1-0 up, and on our way to promotion, then he probably never will be, his choice, nobody else’s.

The match followed, James Collins scored, and we both enjoyed every second of the game and the build up of fans getting into position to get on the pitch with my boy constantly telling me that we were going on the pitch. I told him jokingly that the club didn’t want us on the pitch, so we will do the right thing. I took my boy up the stairs near our flag away from the folk ready to charge on and to enjoy watching the scenes, with the inevitable to follow led by my boy and me following so I could watch him enjoy himself celebrating and then celebrating with his Dad, which will always be a special time for us both, to treasure for the rest of our lifes.

We loved every second that followed, we savioured every moment, we looked everywhere, screen, back up the pitch, down it, around all stands, folk taking photo’s & videos with their love one’s, with their flags, on friends shoulders, flares going off, players being hugged, our players going off, coming back out again, our wonderful Paul Warne and David Clowes smiling and enjoying the scenes all together as one, as a powerful team together, to me it was perfect and being with my eldest boy made me feel proud and loved and I was so happy for him, and myself and at the time, I was wondering about my youngest boy and when he wants to be apart of it or when the misses thinks, I can bring the both boys along regularly, with her not too keen on me dragging him onto an overnight bus etc to enjoy the ups and downs of Derby County.

We eventually left Pride Park after to seeing the Swindon Rams family at the end, and we took our flags down , but we were just so happy and energised, who needs sleep when the Rams are successful? 

We went back to our hotel to get rid of the flag, chill for a bit, recharge phones, shower and change before meeting friends in The Exeter including MD and to enjoy a few pints whilst chatting about the wonderful day so far. 

I was glad Burton Albion had stayed up and I didn’t want the day to stop. We chatted to elder dads and friends and realised that these days don’t come along often. 

MD moved on to The Tiger, and we moved on to The Silk Mill having a teenage boy in the search for dinner, no joy, as it was mobbed, we then tried the Standing Order to be unfortunately turned away by the bouncers at the door, as I thought “Jesus” we have just won promotion, and some people just can’t help themselves, being awkward for awkward sake. 

We bumped into Goalhanger that does the great You Tube videos in the South Stand, walking up the street looking like he’d had a great day and plenty of drink to celebrate afterwards.

So we went to the Pie & Mash place and we all enjoyed some great grub and more pints thanking our lucky stars that the bouncers turned us away from Wetherspoons. We stayed in there for a while and normally if I wasn’t with my boy, I would have been out for hours celebrating, but my sensible head was on, so we said our goodbyes to my friend, who also sensibly headed home with a fresh head, to carry on savouring the day.

My boy headed through jubilant revellers singing Derby songs, back to our hotel to chill and enjoy the comfort of our beds, TV and recapturing lots of scenes on social media and official websites before eventually flaking out and enjoying a good nights sleep and a wonderful happy Sunday to follow.

Sunday arrived and we chatted to Derby fans in the lift heading back to Sheffield we explained we had a bit further to go.

On route to the train station I took the Aberdeenshire Rams flag out, at the Derby County Mural for a photo, my boy took a video sending it to his mother calling me a saddo! and that we would miss the train!

Train from Derby to Sheffield was at 10:51 with 8 mins to spare arriving at 11:26 to change, and to head to Doncaster at 11:34 and then 11 mins to change again to catch the train to Edinburgh at 12:11 and that was due to arrive at 15:10. Luckily the Derby, Sheffield & Doncaster trains where all on time, but as we arrived into Edinburgh we joined a queue of trains waiting to arrive making us late by 30 mins.

The table beside us included a family from India, a lady from Australia and a bloke from Sheffield who was happy that the Owls would likely stay up. They talked about travelling and holidays around the world, whilst I dreamed of Derby back in the Premier League and back in European competitions and trips around the world following them.  

I soon woke up. I’d factored in 1 and a half hours before our megabus back to Aberdeen, so the 30 minute train delay, just ate into our early dinner time and waiting time for the bus back home.

The Megabus arrived back into Aberdeen on time, and before our phones ran out of power due to a change of bus and no charging points, my boy secretly asked his mam to come pick us up in Aberdeen, to avoid hanging around, for another train to Inverurie. 

We arrived back in the house for 9pm and we were ready for supper and a bit of time to reflect on all the many hours us Derby County fans, spend loving our club, and when the special times come around, them long hours of travelling or waiting or short times running for a bus or train are all very much worth it, because, if your anything like me, you’ll just want to do it again and again and again and again and again…………

Up The Rams. 

D.C.F.C. Love, Life & Unity.
 

 

 

Edited July 4 by Inverurie Ram

[richinspain]

11 hours ago, Inverurie Ram said:

Derby County 2-0 Carlisle Utd
Saturday 27th April.

Attendance 31,027
Last game of the 2023/24 season
Derby finish 2nd in the league & promoted.

I contacted Swindon Rams a week before the game to explain about sharing the gangway in the East Midlands Stand. He happily obliged as the flags were hung up beside one another at Carlisle in the away fixture early on in the season 23rd September which also ended up 2-0 to Derby County with James Collins also scoring that day. 

James Collins a great player that gained the wrong type of attention by some fans that chose to do so, in his early fixtures whilst becoming a real important player to the club, in the eyes of others. 

My eldest lad and I left Inverurie on the 17:43 train on Friday evening before grabbing something to eat in Aberdeen before catching the 19:50 overnight Flix bus to Sheffield. An interesting bus journey that included arriving at Edinburgh via Dundee, with a family getting on with a baby, that yelled it’s head off, with the driver making a few comments, that probably matched up with, what every other passenger was thinking!

We arrived in Edinburgh slightly behind time, to be addressed by the bus driver, that there was a slight problem, even though the family with the baby had arrived in Edinburgh and departed the bus. One customer called out “what’s the slight problem?” and received the answer, “we will be delayed for a bit as we have left luggage, still on the pavement in Dundee” so we waited for a while, until this car speedily arrived into the bus depot, quickly transferring some bags on to the bus.

The new driver was ready, and off we went on route to Newcastle, were we picked up new customers, including a Geordie and a Cockney that chatted throughout the night about Arsenal and Newcastle and various jobs they had in life, quite loudly throughout, the morning hours, as the rest of the customers, tried to get some sleep, all probably thinking, when are these inconsiderate sods either going to talk quietly or better still, shut up!

We stopped to pick up and drop off some poor folk in Leeds, whilst enjoying the sights of drunken youngsters, in the early hours wobble in and out, of sad looking clubs.

Before we ended up in Meadowhall well nearly, as the driver didn’t know how to get off the carriageway, and into the bus depot, so as I looked at my watch, with only 10 mins for the first train to Sheffield and on to Derby waiting, and me desperately needing the toilet, it all became very frustrating, leg crossing and me muttering FFS, as for a third time, like a scene out of Caddy Shack or Naked Gun we or she the driver missed the turn off again!, doing the loop da loop once again !!!

Right we arrive, run to the toilet, run for the train, after spending 9 & a half hours on a bus! Rest of the journey includes trying to stay awake on the first train from Sheffield to Derby. We arrive about 7am in the early morning sunshine in Derby Train Station, before exiting and walking past the Merry Widows, The Brunswick and a little de tour under the underpass to check out the Derby County Mural. The boy was still on his ladder and working on the writing, to finish the wonderful piece of work, to be ready for our final game of the season.

We walked up to our hotel, and went straight to bed for 4 hours kip, before a cooked breakfast / brunch and I received a call from a friend about when we were going in the White Horse pub to watch Joey Greener. 
We were still having breakfast so unfortunately we missed a quick catch up with him. But we were soon in The White Horse and queuing to get to the beer garden, surrounded by fellow Rams. We enjoyed a few Joey songs and chants, from the lads and lasses and I enjoyed the facial expressions on my boys face, flags flying, pints flowing and Derby fans with smiles on their faces, expecting a good day out.

We walked up to the ground, along with marching fans, flags aloft and we were soon getting into the spirit of backing the team we all love. Arrived at the turnstiles, (I print tickets off in case phones don’t work) and in the rush and excitement soon found out that my boys print off, wasn’t working and we didn’t even think of using my phone, I usually forward my boy the tickets so he has them, but it just didn’t register to us to get our phones out! 

So off he went to the gate to explain his ticket not working, and a slight sulk from him, was soon forgotten about, as we went to our seats and to the top of the stairs were the Swindon Rams flag awaited with a space for the Aberdeenshire Rams flag to be hung beside it. I met and chatted to Mr Swindon Ram and CK as we posed in front of the flags for a photo. 

We took our seats and enjoyed the singing, flag waving and positive support in a great atmosphere that was building nicely. Teams announced and players took to the pitch with friendly positive fans around, all hoping the team would deliver. Max Bird soon cracked it in, and as we controlled the game, one older fan sat behind us, started to bug me with his whinging, but I managed to block him out, and wondered why he bothered coming along, wondering if he can’t be happy 1-0 up, and on our way to promotion, then he probably never will be, his choice, nobody else’s.

The match followed, James Collins scored, and we both enjoyed every second of the game and the build up of fans getting into position to get on the pitch with my boy constantly telling me that we were going on the pitch. I told him jokingly that the club didn’t want us on the pitch, so we will do the right thing. I took my boy up the stairs near our flag away from the folk ready to charge on and to enjoy watching the scenes, with the inevitable to follow led by my boy and me following so I could watch him enjoy himself celebrating and then celebrating with his Dad, which will always be a special time for us both, to treasure for the rest of our lifes.

We loved every second that followed, we savioured every moment, we looked everywhere, screen, back up the pitch, down it, around all stands, folk taking photo’s & videos with their love one’s, with their flags, on friends shoulders, flares going off, players being hugged, our players going off, coming back out again, our wonderful Paul Warne and David Clowes smiling and enjoying the scenes all together as one, as a powerful team together, to me it was perfect and being with my eldest boy made me feel proud and loved and I was so happy for him, and myself and at the time, I was wondering about my youngest boy and when he wants to be apart of it or when the misses thinks, I can bring the both boys along regularly, with her not too keen on me dragging him onto an overnight bus etc to enjoy the ups and downs of Derby County.

We eventually left Pride Park after to seeing the Swindon Rams family at the end, and we took our flags down , but we were just so happy and energised, who needs sleep when the Rams are successful? 

We went back to our hotel to get rid of the flag, chill for a bit, recharge phones, shower and change before meeting friends in The Exeter including MD and to enjoy a few pints whilst chatting about the wonderful day so far. 

I was glad Burton Albion had stayed up and I didn’t want the day to stop. We chatted to elder dads and friends and realised that these days don’t come along often. 

MD moved on to The Tiger, and we moved on to The Silk Mill having a teenage boy in the search for dinner, no joy, as it was mobbed, we then tried the Standing Order to be unfortunately turned away by the bouncers at the door, as I thought “Jesus” we have just won promotion, and some people just can’t help themselves, being awkward for awkward sake. 

We bumped into Goalhanger that does the great You Tube videos in the South Stand, walking up the street looking like he’d had a great day and plenty of drink to celebrate afterwards.

So we went to the Pie & Mash place and we all enjoyed some great grub and more pints thanking our lucky stars that the bouncers turned us away from Wetherspoons. We stayed in there for a while and normally if I wasn’t with my boy, I would have been out for hours celebrating, but my sensible head was on, so we said our goodbyes to my friend, who also sensibly headed home with a fresh head, to carry on savouring the day.

My boy headed through jubilant revellers singing Derby songs, back to our hotel to chill and enjoy the comfort of our beds, TV and recapturing lots of scenes on social media and official websites before eventually flaking out and enjoying a good nights sleep and a wonderful happy Sunday to follow.

Sunday arrived and we chatted to Derby fans in the lift heading back to Sheffield we explained we had a bit further to go.

On route to the train station I took the Aberdeenshire Rams flag out, at the Derby County Mural for a photo, my boy took a video sending it to his mother calling me a saddo! and that we would miss the train!

Train from Derby to Sheffield was at 10:51 with 8 mins to spare arriving at 11:26 to change, and to head to Doncaster at 11:34 and then 11 mins to change again to catch the train to Edinburgh at 12:11 and that was due to arrive at 15:10. Luckily the Derby, Sheffield & Doncaster trains where all on time, but as we arrived into Edinburgh we joined a queue of trains waiting to arrive making us late by 30 mins.

The table beside us included a family from India, a lady from Australia and a bloke from Sheffield who was happy that the Owls would likely stay up. They talked about travelling and holidays around the world, whilst I dreamed of Derby back in the Premier League and back in European competitions and trips around the world following them.  

I soon woke up. I’d factored in 1 and a half hours before our megabus back to Aberdeen, so the 30 minute train delay, just ate into our early dinner time and waiting time for the bus back home.

The Megabus arrived back into Aberdeen on time, and before our phones ran out of power due to a change of bus and no charging points, my boy secretly asked his mam to come pick us up in Aberdeen, to avoid hanging around, for another train to Inverurie. 

We arrived back in the house for 9pm and we were ready for supper and a bit of time to reflect on all the many hours us Derby County fans, spend loving our club, and when the special times come around, them long hours of travelling or waiting or short times running for a bus or train are all very much worth it, because, if your anything like me, you’ll just want to do it again and again and again and again and again…………

Up The Rams. 

D.C.F.C. Love, Life & Unity.
 

 

 

It must have been one hell of a party if you've only just got round to doing the report!

[Hans Datdo-Dishes]

2 minutes ago, richinspain said:

It must have been one hell of a party if you've only just got round to doing the report!

Or, he's a very slow typer.

[Mucker1884]

I just walked there, walked back.  30 mins each way.  No flag.  No pitch invasion.  One beer when I got home.

I feel like a fraud.  

I'll make up for it on Friday... long trip to Matlock.  Probably won't get home before 11pm!  🐏

[richinspain]

2 hours ago, Hans Datdo-Dishes said:

Or, he's a very slow typer.

To be honest, if I'd written everything he's written on my phone, I'd still be writing now 😄