So near, then so far – it’s the Derby way

SITTING at home under the latest coronavirus restrictions I start to wonder not about the meaning of life, no, something more important. What does the phrase “the Derby way” actually mean?

People smile or shake their heads in bewilderment at these words. Alas, the idiom sits along with two other gems which occurred in the 1980s.

‘’We’ll be back in 81’’, we chanted as a goal-hungry Norwich City sent Derby County crashing out of Division 1 at Carrow Road in 1980. It was another eventful six years before the Rams returned.

In September 1983 manager Peter Taylor predicted ‘’We’ll be in the top six by the New Year’’ (not by Christmas). By January 1984, Derby were fourth from bottom and faced relegation rather than liquidation!

So what to make of ‘’the Derby way’’.

I return to the 1980s: January 1985, Derby County 2, Bournemouth 3. Gerald Mortimer finishes his match report with these words: ‘’It is utterly typical of Derby over the last eight years that they should reach a position from which they could achieve something, either safety or a place in the promotion picture, and then let down their supporters with a resounding flop’’.

The Derby way. I rest my case. How many times could Steve Nicholson use Gerald’s words over the last decade and more?

The Evertonian could quote those words in the Rams’ last game at Hillsborough in a self-inflicted defeat.

Oh well, back to the future. We look forward to the impending takeover (how many i’s and t’s are there in these documents?). We await our return to Pride Park to see our team in person.

Here’s hoping the season of 2020-21 does not end in tiers (groan). Up the Rams.

Paul Trembirth, Bingham