Oh to be only circling the drain. We seem to be plunging down it like that chap in a barrel going over the top of Niagara Falls. On Saturday morning I'll head over to Pride Park to meet my lad and we will do our best to shout whatever words of encouragement we can muster as the players arrive for the last act of this dreadful season. I know it won't do the slightest bit of good, I'm not that bleeding daft, but it'll make us both feel a little bit better. This is all we can do.
We've been there before, of course. If we go down on Saturday it will be my sixth relegation as a Derby fan, and I have seen five promotions. I know these imposters for what they are. It won't change that much. My two boys just about remember the Wembley win against West Brom, but otherwise it has generally been grim stuff to be a Derby fan, and often I feel very guilty and personally responsible for that. But they have both insisted on renewing season tickets for next year no matter where we are, so off we will go as we have always done. It would take much more than utter and abject failure to alter that.
It's the near-triumphs that hurt most, anyway. They're the ones that gnaw away at you for all your life, the "if onlys". The Leicester match, the QPR match, the Man U semi-final. Where the outcome is so unjust that you feel you should have that moment back again, and that this time it will go the way it should have done. This won't feel unjust, it will feel deserved. So I'll take it on the chin. No doubt there will be much mirth from some quarters and, worse, some sympathy, but fair dos. I expect I would do something similar if the boot was on the other foot (and it will be, sooner or later). I did love that Yeovil match. Sauce for the goose.
Once you have nailed your colours to the mast you must go down with the ship. Chins up everybody.
"I put all the love and beauty
In the spirit of the night
And I'm holding my ticket tight.
Stupidity and suffering
Are on that ticket, too
And I'm going down the dip with you."
Down the dip
posted on 6/5/21
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 10 minutes ago
The Quiet Woman, Earl Sterndale.
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Is the QW one of your regular visits, Spart? I heard that the landlord there had retired.
posted on 6/5/21
comment by Strett (U1462)
posted 6 hours, 5 minutes ago
comment by Strett (U1462)
posted 51 minutes ago
Which pub should a Forest fan in Derbyshire go and watch it?
I generally don't like witnessing grown men crying, but I may make an exception this weekend.
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Cry watchin' the telly, we saw you cry watchin' the telly
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I once saw my father cry, Strett
It was when he arrived home on Cup Final Day in ‘46.
Might havebeen emotion - might have been Ind Coope.
posted on 6/5/21
comment by Catalanaram (U3413)
posted 22 minutes ago
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 10 minutes ago
The Quiet Woman, Earl Sterndale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is the QW one of your regular visits, Spart? I heard that the landlord there had retired.
---------------------------------------------
Not recently Cat, for obvious reasons. One of many character pubs I visit in the Peak District. Others include 3 Stags Heads at Wardlow Mires, Duke of York at Elton, The Barley Mow Kirk Ireton and The Barley Mow at Bonsall. Proper pubs.
posted on 6/5/21
Not been in the Duke at Elton for many many moons. Used to be a great pint tho.
posted on 6/5/21
The old dear no longer runs it, her son does. Don't know if he has installed a till in the bar yet though.
posted on 6/5/21
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 50 minutes ago
The old dear no longer runs it, her son does. Don't know if he has installed a till in the bar yet though.
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Mary was left the pub by "Blower" when he snuffed-it. He must rank as one of the most barmy landlords in history. He was pi55ed most of the time.
posted on 6/5/21
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 4 hours, 40 minutes ago
comment by Catalanaram (U3413)
posted 22 minutes ago
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 10 minutes ago
The Quiet Woman, Earl Sterndale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is the QW one of your regular visits, Spart? I heard that the landlord there had retired.
---------------------------------------------
Not recently Cat, for obvious reasons. One of many character pubs I visit in the Peak District. Others include 3 Stags Heads at Wardlow Mires, Duke of York at Elton, The Barley Mow Kirk Ireton and The Barley Mow at Bonsall. Proper pubs.
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DoY always a bit Rosey, real American Werewolf type country pub, my brother lives in Elton still. Have to agree on the Barley Mow in Kirk Ireton, last time I was in they still served the beer from jugs. Add The Gate in Brassington, used to go there a lot 30+ years ago, was a cracking pint of Pedigree
posted on 6/5/21
*ropey
posted on 6/5/21
My brother has lived in Elton since 1981 Wickers.
posted on 8/5/21
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 1 day, 1 hour ago
My brother has lived in Elton since 1981 Wickers.
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By coincidence my sister lives in Liverpool.....maybe we are one and the same Scouse and one of us is just a figment of the others twisted imagination........