Pete Comber (Folkestone)
I was born and brought up in a soccer backwater called Kent,my local club- Folkestone - peaked with a first round FA Cup appearance- lost 2-0 to the mighty Brentford. Geography was not my strong point ,I thought Folkestone was in the South West of England!
I didn't have a clue where Derby. London or anywhere else was, Hence as an 8 year old in 1970 I plumped for Derby as I liked the name (embarrassing I know but true!). Most of my mates supported Chelsea, Leeds or Liverpool and none of us saw more than Sunday pm highlights.
Well, I sure got lucky ! Two championships 7 more gloating than you can imagine- the only Rams fan in the school and probably the whole of Kent- I made the most of the glory years. First live game was a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Highbury, I went with a load of school kids- mainly Arsenal Fans- I waved my home made Rams flag among the away supporters. King Kevin got the goal right at the start and I became him for the following decade of lunchtime games on the school field.
I subscribed to the programme (cr+p newspaper thing at the time) and covered the bedroom walls with 'Shoot' cuttings of Todd , MacFarland and co. Even got to see the BBG while on holiday , I vaguely recall the infamous Stuart Webb showing me and my family round (they endured it like I endured Chatsworth etc) I loved it especially the trophy room. Much to his embarrassment John McGovern was in the middle of getting changed as we entered the dressing rooms!
Having improved my Geography I sussed Loughborough Uni was closest to Mecca and I spent a few years dossing there on the P.E. course and eventually got to see a few games when not blowing my grant on other pleasures.
Despite returning to Folkestone courtesy of a more healthy bank balance and children growing up I now get to more games than ever and have even tracked down another Kent based fan
Please don't be too hard on me & the other 'parasites' when the glory days return!
c2001 Pete Comber