West County RAM

This article has been take from the current edition of the DCSCWCB publication – “WEST COUNTRY RAM”, our clubs newsletter. This particular article is entitled :

Loyal Supporter - No.8

Name: Tony Lanfranchi (For those that don’t know me, Lanfranchi is pronounced Lanfrankie)

Born: Taunton, Somerset 1964

Supported Derby since 1975 aged 10, although did not see first game until January 1980.

Profession: Registered General Nurse, though did leave the profession for 6 years to attend drama school and become an actor. Some of you have seen me in ''Blood Brothers''. But you can see me acting every other week at the back of the coach on the way to a game!

So far the highlight for me has been the Supporters Clubs Awards Night, May 8th, 2000. It was absolutely fantastic and it was even better having my picture taken with some of my favourite players! Great stuff. On Jim Smith; although Jimmy has not really achieved the kind of success that Arthur Cox brought us (5th in First Division, 1988-89) I do sincerely believe that he has been one the best managers that Derby have ever had. But who knows, that may yet come as I understand that Jim has just signed on for another 2 years - brilliant! I realise that last season was a really terrible time for everyone and the Fuertes saga was pretty harsh, but I do think that Jim got it wrong on a number of occasions. We really only stayed up by default due to 3 teams being worse than Derby, and I don’t think that we’ll get away with it next season if we play like that again. Having said all that I do believe that we will be a much stronger outfit with a possible top ten finish.

How I Became a Rams Fan.

As a small boy I can vividly remember being totally ga ga about Celtic (please don’t ask me why!), and I can recall watching the likes of Kenny Dalglish,Jimmy Johnstone, David Hay and Billy McNeil. When I got to the ripe old age of 10, I suddenly realised where Celtic was on the map and concluded that I wouldn’t be getting to Glasgow in any hurry!! So being only 10, because you can get away with anything at that age can’t you? I made the decision to start following the best team in the English First Division. The year was 1975 and the League Champions were Derby County.

FIRST GAME

It wasn’t until a full 5 years later that I actually got to see Derby playing live. I’d heard on the radio that Derby had drawn Bristol City in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. I quickly made arrangements to go on the train, as living in Taunton it would only take half an hour to get there. Despite the fact that Derby were thrashed 6 - 2 , I fell in love completely with the whole team and I’ve never looked back since (things don’t change much do they?).

3.BEST TEAM

In my time as a Rams fan it just has to be the team that finished 5th in the 1988-89 season. Had English teams not been banned from Europe because of Heysel, then Derby would have been in the UEFA Cup! It’s very difficult for me to pick out my favourite Manager because I actually like Jim Smith more than I did Arthur Cox, but until Derby achieve a better position than 5th then I suppose Cox just about edges it.

FAVOURITE PLAYER

- As I write this then the only player who gets this accolade has got to be Giorgi Kinkladze. Never have I seen such silky skills and obvious world class grace Pride Park or the Baseball Ground for that matter!

TEN BEST GAMES

- My oh my, have I had to do some serious thinking and editing for this category. I’ve probably missed a few knowing my memory.

Anyway, here goes:

1.BRADFORD 4 DERBY 4. April 2000, Premier League.

Also known as the relegation dogfight of the century!! I have never,ever felt physically sick due to the sheer excitement of going through all the emotions that you could possibly think of. I mean to be 4-3 down at half time!!! What more could you ask for. This game had absolutely everything; good football, bad football, controversy, skill, penalties, bad refereeing and to top it all, 8 yes 8 goals!!! Goodness me, I’m out of breath just writing this. That’s emotional recall for you!

2.DERBY 3 ASTON VILLA 4. FA Cup 4th rd, 1993.

This was a game that seemed to go from end to end and it was one that we nearly pulled out of the bag. Peter Shilton was at fault for at least 2 of the goals as I recall. Even Alan Hansen agrees with me on this one! Great night none the less.

3.ITALY 3 BRAZIL 2 1982

1982 WORLD CUP. Having Italian parents (what do you mean you thought it was Welsh!) I’ve always had an affinity for the Italian National Side, so this particular encounter was very special for me. By some strange rule that existed then, Italy had no choice but to win this match to go through to the next stages. And they did just that with a marvellous hat trick courtesy of Paolo Rossi. Unbelievable game, great result. Italy were the best team in the world at the time as they so justifiably proved that year!

4.ARSENAL 2, DERBY 2, Premier League, December 7th, 1996.

Strangely enough this game actually introduced me to the Branch. I didn’t have a ticket for the game but I was still determined to get there, come hell or high waters. I’d bumped into a couple of Derby fans at Taunton Train Station, of all places. They asked me if I had a ticket from the Branch (I thought they were refering to something in my back garden). Anyway, I said no to the question and they told me that the game was sold out. I replied that nothing was going to stop me from getting into Highbury. And so I ended up paying £40 for a £16 ticket, from a tout! I shall never forget that wonderful goal that Dean Sturridge scored after skinning Tony Adams from the edge of the penalty area. Well worth the £40 I’d paid, and much more!! One of the aforementioned fans at the train station was Terry Groves.

5.MAN UTD 3, DERBY 1. March 11, 2000. Premier League.

This particular encounter will stick in my mind for many years to come. Not only did I manage to miss the coach on no less than 4 occasions, but I have never celebrated a goal in the manner in which I did. Basically, when Branko Strupar equalised I managed to hug just about everybody in my row. You know who you are!! Helen, Roger, Simon, Sharon, Stuart. Have I missed anybody? This really was a great game and I genuinely believe that Derby were very unlucky not to come away with a point. Maybe things would have been different had Poom not made a totally out of character error when trying to clear the ball!

6.ASTON VILLA 1, DERBY 2. NOVEMBER 19TH 1988

1988. First Division. An old friend of mine, who was a Villa fan, had asked me if I wanted to go to Villa Park with him in his car. I leaped at the opportunity. We actually sat near the halfway line with loads of Villa fans, so naturally I felt totally outnumbered when Villa took the lead! But then Dean Saunders came to the rescue like he always did in those days, and he leapt like a salmon for a marvellous equaliser. I think it was the Tin Man, Ted McMinn who provided the telling cross. The winning goal was scored by the second element in what was probably the deadliest duo in the First Division at the time - Paul Goddard! Great goal scorers they both certainly were!!

7.BRISTOL CITY 6, DERBY 2. January 3rd 1980. FA Cup 3rd rd.

I know that we were hammered but as I’ve already mentioned this was my first game, and it was very special for me. I still remember like it was yesterday.

8.WOLVES 2, DERBY 3. Molineux, October 1993

This game can hardly be called one of my best simply because I didn’t see any of the goals!!! Let me explain. Me and my mate had walked into the match 10 minutes late and Derby were 2-1 down already. My mate Jeff then decides that he wants to leave with 7 minutes remaining (has to meet his wife somewhere for a wedding reception). I have to go with him as he is my only means of transport. We get in the car, switch Radio Derby on, and listen to the final 5 minutes. Unbelievable!!! Yes you’ve guessed it; Derby score twice in the final few minutes. That was the first and last time that I ever went to a match having to rely on someone else for a lift.

9.DERBY 3, BOLTON 1. Baseball Ground, April 1993, FA Cup 5th rd.

On this occasion I remember feeling totally in awe of Bolton because they’d just beaten Liverpool in the previous round at Anfield. But all my fears were allayed as Derby played Bolton off the park as I recall. Funny thing is though I can’t for the life of me remember who exactly scored our goals. Rob Hindmarch and Paul Williams I think.

10.DERBY 1, LIVERPOOL 0. Pride Park, May 10th, 1998. Premier League.

This really was one for me to relish as I’ve always had a particular hate for Liverpool!! I simply can’t stand them and to beat them for the first time in more than 25 years was just shear bliss. Wanchope for me on that day was a total star. He just went into every tackle 110% for the whole afternoon, and when he scored the winning goal it was absolute heaven!! I’d never felt so happy before.

Born, Taunton, Somerset 1964

Supported Derby since 1975 aged 10, although did not see first game until January 1980.

Profession - Registered General Nurse, though did leave the profession for 6 years to attend drama school and become an actor. Some of you have seen me in ''Blood Brothers''. But you can see me acting every other week at the back of the coach on the way to a game!

Please feel free to send your own versions of the above to WCR c/o:-

WCR@dcscwcb.derbycounty.co.uk