Vince Shirley
My initiation, if you could call it that, happened in 1959- my father who had been a Rams fan all his life and had first watched them in the 30's, decided I was old enough to be allowed to watch reserve games and in 1959 he took me to the Baseball Ground.
At that time he was a gateman on the players gate and as a result I got to meet all of the players and that really started me off I suppose. The first reserve game is lost in the mists of time but eventually he let me go to first team games ,or rather at least one, in the 60-61 season. Last match against Brighton & Hove Albion who had already been relegated and were only playing to make up the numbers really..
I sat in the C Stand watched the Rams win 3-1 (or was it 2-1) and remember a goal scored from the Ossie End, a bullet header from a corner.
That was it really - I've watched them ever since, except for a short period in the 80's when i got married and only went to selected matches.
Now I sit in the West Stand and financial /work considerations prevent me going to many away games.
I'm still as keen as ever and think I've learnt that football goes in cycles like lots of other things - one moment you're up ,the next down.
Just hang on and enjoy the ride !!!
c2001 Vince Shirley