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. Don’t forget to check out the Pride of Nottingham Dashboard page for all the latest content in one convenient overview! Also, be sure to visit the PON Merch online store for exclusive shirts, t-shirts and prints!

Born on October 22, 1970, in Barking, England, Ian Richardson was a former professional footballer and caretaker manager. He played as a midfielder or centre-half in 260 games in the Football League for Birmingham City and Notts County, where he spent most of his professional career. Before embarking on his football career, Richardson worked as a meat-porter at Smithfield Market in London, where he learned to work hard and work well with others. He played football part-time, showcasing his skills with Dagenham & Redbridge in the Conference, which earned him a £60,000 move to Birmingham City in the 1995 close season. Dagenham teammate Jason Broom described Richardson as "never the most gifted player in the world but was a ferocious tackler. He used to get from box to box and scored lots of goals mainly through his excellence in the air." He made his Football League debut on 8 October 1995, as a substitute replacing Jonathan Hunt in a 2–0 win at home to Southend United. However, after just three months, he joined Notts County on loan. He returned to Birmingham and made three more first-team appearances, including in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Leeds United. B Richardson went on to join Notts County on a permanent basis in March 1996 for a fee of £150,000. In the 1997–98 season, Richardson was part of Sam Allardyce's Notts County team that won the Division Three title by a record margin and at a record early date. A £350,000 move to Wimbledon fell through on a failed medical, which pleased County's manager Jocky Scott. With the club in financial difficulties, Richardson took a pay cut to remain at County because his family was settled in the area. Richardson's contract expired at the end of the 2002–03 season, and the club was in administration and subject to a transfer embargo. It wasn't until August 2003 that the Football League gave them permission to offer Richardson monthly terms. The problems never influenced the players on the pitch – only during every other moment when they weren't playing. Despite his limited playing appearances in the 2004–05 season, Richardson was voted County's Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, and was selected as League Two's "Unsung Hero" in BBC Sport's alternative awards list. In November 2004, Richardson was appointed caretaker player-manager after the departure of Gary Mills. He said: "I'm delighted to have landed the job full-time. The effort and desire to improve has been fantastic from everyone at the club, and hopefully we can build on what we have already achieved". Although his injured knee restricted him to a mostly managerial role, h4 successfully led the team away from relegation and to the Third Round of the FA Cup. Richardson was replaced as manager by Gudjon Thordarson at the end of the season. After his playing contract expired in June 2005, he was given a monthly contract to allow him time to prove his fitness. Despite playing in two reserve games, the club's view was "the knee has not made a sufficient recovery for the acquired level of professional football," and Richardson was released. The player took legal advice and consulted the Professional Footballers' Association. Still, after trials with Peterborough United and Burton Albion, he decided to retire as a player and accept the offer of a testimonial match and a coaching role with the club's Football in the Community programme. In 2010, Richardson was working as Activity Manager for Notts County's Football in the Community programme. It won the League Two Best Community Initiative Award at the 2008 Football League Awards ceremony for a project designed to use football to approach the improvement of self-esteem and life skills of adult males with mental health issues. Ian, continued the role for Notts County FC Football in the Community, where he decided to embark on a charity run that took him through the club's past and present homes. The run took place on the final home game of the 2013.14 season. He said: "I love my job, helping people achieve things in life gives me a lot of joy. So many children have few opportunities, especially during this recession, so I’d like to help them get back into education or employment." Ian Richardson managed to raise almost £1,300 from his charity run. Ian Richardson was an exceptional football player who exemplified unwavering loyalty, determination, and leadership skills. He always gave his best and showed immense dedication to his team's success. Ian's fighting spirit was an inspiration to his teammates, and his calm and collected approach to the game helped him make wise decisions and steer his team towards victory. Ian's versatility as a player was another of his outstanding qualities. He could adapt to any situation and play different roles in the team, always demonstrating his exceptional talent and commitment to the game. Ian Richardson was a true asset to his team and will be remembered as a role model for future generations of football players. Please consider helping to donate to the Pride of Nottingham site cost as a way to support what we do. Also, be sure to check out the dashboard page to see all the latest discussions and get a quick insight into the Pride of Nottingham community.