By Chris
Barry Buckley, also known as Super Ram on the Pride of Nottingham site, has been a lifelong fan of Derby County Football Club.
Growing up in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Barry’s earliest memories of football date back to when he was just three or four years old. He has fond memories of listening to the football results on the BBC Light Programme’s ‘Sports Report’ with his father. His dad’s Littlewoods Football Pools coupon would also be checked. “I was fascinated by the names of some of the teams being mentioned and my dad’s reactions,” Barry says.
Barry’s love for Derby County was nurtured by his dad’s youngest brother, Stan, who was about six years older than him and like a big brother. Stan was obsessed with Rams and would always tell Barry about the history of Derby and its players. “He got me to learn Derby’s FA Cup-winning team by heart, and the nicknames, team colours and grounds of other teams,” Barry remembers.
Barry’s first experience watching Derby play live came when he was just a young boy. While visiting his grandparents one Saturday in March 1956, Barry had a fun-filled morning with his cousin Tony. It was during this playful time that Tony's father, Uncle George, proposed a thrilling idea. He proposed taking both Tony and Barry to watch Derby County, but only if Barry’s grandmother granted permission. Although Derby lost and were subsequently condemned to another season in League Division 3 North, from then on, Barry was hooked.
Stan took Barry to his inaugural away game in October 1957. This was a League 2 visit to Meadow Lane and a 1-0 win for Notts County.
He continued to follow Derby County throughout his life, even when he started working in Nottingham and his manager was a Notts fan. His name was Albert Bramley or ‘Bram’. “We talked about our matches and football generally,” Barry says. “Bram told me a lot about Notts history. He was very proud of the fact that Notts are the oldest football league club and of Tommy Lawton.” This was at a time when Derby were a comfortable League 2 side but Notts were languishing perilously close to the bottom of the 4th division.
In the 4th division, teams were not subject to automatic relegation, but those at the bottom had to undergo a re-election process in order to retain their league status. Bram's genuine concern stemmed from the prestigious history of Notts in the league, fearing that they would be penalized as a warning and denied re-election to the 4th division. Happily, Notts recovered enough to escape this ignominy.
“There were quite a few Forest fans at work and some were condescending towards Notts. One red fan used to make a point of gloating a bit and asking how ‘the all-stars’ (referring to Notts) had played.”
Things were now about to change dramatically for both clubs’ fortunes, thanks to certain persons by the name of Brian Clough and Jimmy Sirrel. In the late sixties, both Derby and Notts would go on to more enjoyable seasons.
Barry never lost his love for Derby County. He met his wife Grannypie at work; her dad was a Notts fan, and they would exchange friendly banter and stories.
Barry continued to follow Derby County throughout the years, even when he got married in 1981 and bought a house with Grannypie in 1991. However, due to work and then looking after Grannypie, he hasn’t been able to attend as many games over the last couple of decades.
One Notts game that stands out in Barry’s memory is a Friday night match against Bury on 22nd February 2013. “It was a very cold night; the first half was boring with no atmosphere; I wished I’d stayed home warm,” Barry recalls. “Bury scored; and at half-time Notts were losing 1-0. The second half was completely different; Notts woke up and scored; the atmosphere picked up; by the end of the game Notts had made it 4-1 and Meadow Lane was rocking. It reminded me of times at Derby’s old Baseball Ground.”
“Over the years I’ve seen The Rams crowned as champions of England twice and enjoyed some great European encounters such as Rams’ 4-0 victory against Real Madrid and being 3-0 up in 20 minutes against Benfica with Eusebio playing for them. I’ve been to that place across the Trent River where we lost 5-2 but thanks to Rams TV I’ve also seen Derby thrash that same unmentionable team 5-0. I remember The Rams surviving a winding-up order in the 1980s when they were hours away from extinction and going into administration more recently while again avoiding obliteration. I’ve shared both ups and downs with Notts too, especially during their last few seasons when they came close to destruction and the heart-stopping playoff games and eventual promotion. And don’t forget Munto. Have two teams ever given their fans so much anxiety?”
Despite being a lifelong fan of Derby County, Barry has always kept an eye on Notts due to family and work connections. “Obviously I don’t like losing to any team but at least the blow was softened if it’s Notts,” he says. “No animosity at all.”
Barry Buckley’s love for Derby County Football Club has spanned decades and shows no signs of fading. As Super Ram on the Pride of Nottingham site, he continues to share his passion for the Rams with fellow fans.
Also, be sure to visit the PON Merch online store for exclusive shirts, t-shirts and prints!
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