And I Think To Myself

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

So, I can't really say I volunteered but on the 14th of next month. I will be a Marshall for the J&J to Derby and back fundraiser, today I were shown the route and surrounding area. It's quite exciting, yet I wished I was able to take part. I was a little disappointed originally, as I wanted to help.

I was advised not to take part, I actually thought I might be up for the challenge but my physio (probably thought I was nuts) and firmly told me I shouldn't.

Anyway, I ended up looking at the statue at Pride Park and a little of the stadium.

And I think to myself - what am I doing here?!?! No seriously, It's amazing. I like the stadium but I have to say, that I like Traditional stands and from the clubs whom have moved away from these. Derby, for me is one of the only clubs who have done so successfully. The design is stunning and it's nice to learn that they included apart of the old stadium.

Sorry Super Ram, I don't like the shirt! The shorts look nice but I wonder why your sponsor is so high up on the shirt.. Nice to see Rammy (the single ram) return, though I was surprised to learn it was returned in 2012. I thought you still had the circle badge! Love the single ram.

[weymouthPIE]

Pride Park does look like quite a nice ground. I've never been to Pride Park and I'm far from a fan of these modern bowl style arenas but a lot of people I know who have visited Pride Park say its different to grounds like to Ricoh. Probably helps that Derby get pretty good attendendences at home too.

 

I like the Brian Clough & Peter Taylor statue, if our J&J statue looks half as good I'd be pleased. Isn't there a bust of Steve Bloomer at the enterence to the tunnel as well? (or exit, depending on which way you look at it)

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Yes, I believe you're right James.

Super Ram should know for sure, though I do recall reading something about it and I think Robbie Savage once hide it (playing a prank). It sounds like we share similar thoughts to these 'modern' grounds. Not all are bad, though some just have no sole. Juventus is another example of this done well, I heard they had their roof curved back down slightly. It traps the vocals inside the stadium, very impressive also.

[super_ram]

I agree with Joe regarding the shirts.

 

The Steve Bloomer bust is adjacent to the Derby dugout.

 

The stadium itself is based on Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, though with more than 30 amendments to the original design.

When planning it was intended to try and recreate some of the intimacy of The Baseball Ground which went a long way to giving the old ground such a wonderful atmosphere.

 

Thanks for sharing the photos Joe(especially today)

[weymouthPIE]

This reminds me actually, there's an older fella who travels to quite a few away games with Weymouth, and theres another lad whos a couple of years older than me whos from Weymouth, but his family are from Derby so he's also a Ram.

 

We were travelling up to I think it was Redditch (near Birmingham) early this season and this old fella got talking to us and when he found I was a Notts fan and my mate was a Ram he had a couple of stories.

 

He plays for a bowls team, and last year they went up to Nottingham to play in a competition. Him and his mate decided to travel up on the Friday with the competition being on the Sunday. They stopped off at pride park on the way, and after they walked around the outside of the ground they went into the club shop to see if they could find any souveniors. At this point he asked the girl in the club shop if there was any possibility of them being able to have a look inside the stadium. They explained theyd travelled up from Dorset and she got on the phone to the stadium manager, and within 5 minutes someone showed up to give them a FREE guided tour! He said they were shown the dressing rooms, got their photo taken in the dugout, and they walked around the whole stadium. "Really lovely people at Derby, couldnt have treated us any better", he said in his broad Dorset accent.

 

The following day, on the Saturday they couldnt find much else to do so they went to Meadow Lane to try and get tickets to our home game against Oldham. They again explained they had travelled up from dorset for the weekend and just wanted to see a game, they got their tickets and went for a drink in the MLSB. Apparently, while they were in there - Ray Trew came over to them and said "have you two gentleman travelled up from Dorset?", they said yeah and explained why they were there. Ray Trew then escorted them to two seats in the directors area of the pavis stand!

 

A great weekend by the sounds of it, and he seemed genuinally warmed by the kindness shown to them by the people at both clubs. Big  to the two Countys

[cheeky~k8]

I think it will be a great day for everyone taking part in either event and a brilliant way to raise money for the J&J fund.

 

I can remember when me and notts joe went into notts county when joe was doing some charity work for his workplace in august 2011. We got shown around the stadium and in the dugout, it was a very surreal situation. Its a shame we didn't have our 2 oldest kids with us and Ava wasn't awake, but she was only 3 weeks old at the time.

 

[weymouthPIE]

You suit that dugout mate, think we know who to go to for our next manager

 

Lovely photo of you three too I might add, one for the scrap book

[super_ram]

So nice to read something positive about football ,especially when our 2 clubs are involved.

Great story ,Weymouth and special memories K8.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

You suit that dugout mate, think we know who to go to for our next manager

 

Lovely photo of you three too I might add, one for the scrap book

 

I wouldn't be good at it, despite what I sometimes think and feel. LOL

Cheers mate, certainly something we and Ava can look back on in years to come.

 

So nice to read something positive about football ,especially when our 2 clubs are involved.

Great story ,Weymouth and special memories K8.

Yes, it was fantastic story. I can recall times when I was younger (which surprises me now) being confused when I heard 'County' being mentioned. When I was very little, I actually thought the clubs where the same. LOL

Thank god we have no reputation with sheep!

@weymouthPIE Your story highlights exactly what makes our club special and how things in football actually connect, it also says the same about Derby. I know for a fact the team across from us, who Derby rival with, are not so much into hospitality or even charity work which doesn't give them exposure. There's defiantly pluses to being like above, the memories will be remembered for a long time to come.

Great PR!

[weymouthPIE]

Notts County's Football In The Community Project has been going on for years, hence we have a reputation for being more of a family club and attracting a lot of families to games. Sending coaches into our school was what made me become a Notts fan!

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I hope to get involved with Football in the Community, noticed awhile back that they have group sessions where you can play football and talk about thing effecting you. I could also do with getting a bit fitter! The physio isn't going to be around forever, so this will be where I look but you are right.

#familyclub

[cheeky~k8]

They are doing a football in the community project at Jake's school (sports hall joined to it) in the summer holidays which i thought he would love going to, but its for 8-14 year olds and they want proof of age too. Hes 7 years old and it seems every year he gets older the age range for most clubs goes up a year. Its great that clubs get kids into the sport and any other sport as alot of kids now just like sitting watching tv or playing on computer games/consoles.