This article has been take from the DCSCWCB publication – “WEST COUNTRY RAM”, our clubs
newsletter. This particular article is entitled :
Loyal Supporter - No. 2.
Name: Simon Smith
Place of Birth: Derby
Date Joined DCSCWCB: 3 May 1997, when I was the owner of a ticket to see Rams away at Coventry, but no way of getting there. Then, out of the blue, I was alerted to the Branch by an old school friend now living in Devon.
First Rams match: As the youngest of three Rams fan brothers and with my dad as a season ticket holder at the time, my first vivid recollection of Derby is when they all came back from seeing the Rams playing F*r*st at the city ground in 1970. I can remember the camaraderie and thinking that I was missing out. The first match I actually attended was the second leg of the Texaco Cup final, against Airdrie at the Baseball ground, 26 April 1972. All I can remember was the atmosphere, being impressed by the floodlights and Derby parading the Cup after the game. For the record they won 2-1 on the night having drawn the first leg.
Best game ever seen live: Although I've seen some
crackers over the years, two of my favourites involve beating the old enemy. The
4-1 win in 1979/80 was the high point in an otherwise disappointing season (the
Rams were relegated). Derby scored three in the first 16 minutes with goals from
Emery, Daly (pen) and Duncan. The sheer intensity of emotion was
unforgettable - there were grown men I had sat by for years crying tears
of joy. The other one would be the 2-0 win in the Cup in 1983. Was the pop-side
ever the same place again? The atmosphere when Andy Hill broke away to get the
decisive second. Oh happy memories. The win over Real Madrid would be my third
choice.
Best goal ever seen live: Two or three goals stand out. Bruce Ricoh's free kicks against Newcastle in the 1976 FA Cup 6th Round tie, and Charlie George's first against Real Madrid in the European Cup during the same season are obvious contenders, but my choice is a strike by a right back against Burnley in the FA Cup in 1992. I couldn't remember his name but I am reliable informed that it was Mark Patterson. The shot was from well outside the area, and flew into the Osmaston End net with such ferocity. The game has particular memories for me, as it was abandoned with quarter of an hour to go because of fog, and was my last trip to the Baseball Ground for an evening match. To add insult to injury, my car broke down on the way home, and eventually arrived back in Cheltenham in the small hours on the back of an AA Relay lorry! But my, what a goal.
Best first team shirt: My favourite Rams shirt is
undoubtedly the 1987 Umbro shirt, with a blue round, button collar. Although
badge faced the wrong way (i.e. to the right), I loved it. Unfortunately, it
saw a premature end with Maggie putting in the washing machine on a boil wash,
and it coming out a pale blue colour - I think that this might have been the
turning point of our relationship and that it was then only a matter of time
before we separated! By the way, I quite like the current shirt.
All Time top Team: This has to be very tough, and
I make no apologies for picking the bulk of the team from the sides of the
1970s: Shilton, Todd, McFarland, Stimac, Wright, Nish, Rioch, Gemmill, George
Hector, Hinton. I had been tempted to play Mark Wallington in goal, but common
sense prevailed. No place for Ted McMinn! An unfamiliar formation for most of
these players, with Todd and Nish playing as wingbacks. Alan Hinton gets in as
the best crosser of the ball I_ve ever seen (have I ever told you that I used to
clean his boots - maybe in the next news letter if you_re lucky). A hard working
midfield with Brucie as the freekick specialist. John Gregory is very unlucky to
be left out as the inspirational captain for the two promotion seasons. A place
for Igor, even though he'll probably be injured or suspended - or both. On the
bench are Poom, Carsley, Saunders, Gregory and Davison. (I'm too young to
remember Dave Mackay.)
Favourite Derby Player: Although there is no
place for him in my top eleven, I always loved Steve Powell for his loyalty and
commitment. I liked his hard-man no nonsense image and sheer commitment. You
always felt that when he went in for a challenge that there would be only one
winner and that, whilst I wouldn't consider him a dirty player, the opposing
player was likely to end up in a crumpled heap lying in a pool of blood. Other
favourites have got to be Colin Todd for his sheer class and King Kev.
Favourite Away Ground: Tough one, as I've only
just started going away regularly in the last couple of years. I've gone off my
old favourites: Old Trafford used to have great atmosphere, but now resembles
watching football in a mausoleum whilst the introduction of all-seater stadia
and the conversion of the Holt End has done Villa Park no favours. I think that
I would plump for The Reebok - visually stunning, good atmosphere, an
exhilarating game there last year (with a cracking pub stop) and you can still
smoke during the game. And the rake of the stands - you feel like you're going
to fall on the pitch when you celebrate a goal!
And finally: Did I only dream that Roger Davies
scored all five goals in a 5-0 win over Luton Town, having two more disallowed
and hitting the would work twice?
Thanks for this opportunity to ramble on about the subject I like talking about the most: the people in the pub have had a bit a respite for a while.
Please feel free to send your own versions of the above to WCR
c/o:-
LoyalSupporter@dcscwcb.derbycounty.co.uk