Steve Eyre (Peterborough)
I'm now exiled in Peterborough , but was born in Derby in 1959 in Davenport Road . If you know Derby you'll know this is a stones throw from the BBG.
I remember from the age of two and three getting excited at the roar of the oohs . aaah s and Goal! that I could hear from the garden when the Rams were playing. My Dad took my brother when he could but then as he got older he went on his own in the BOYS ENCLOSURE (PEN).
Me Dad often had work commitments at Royce's so at this time didn't go
By the age of 6 football fever due to England's World Cup success was at new heights , being bored on his own my bro used to ask me to go to reserve matches with him - I was more interested in my dinky and corgi cars but went along.
There the seeds were sown and the passion grew , by the time I was eight I had been to several first team matches and was now fully in to the swing.
The atmosphere of the BBG was something to behold - I could literally see the flood lights when they were on at night from my bedroom window to me it was better than Disney world.
In school holidays in the summer I used to go down to the ground to see how the pitch was coming along and if there were any rumours of signings we went to theg round to see if there was any players or officials there or to see who's cars were parked outside the ground.
There were so many memories about the BBG - the woman who used to lean out her front window on match days selling programme's , always making sure i bought my cheese and onions crisps ad a packet of Wrigley's from the Newsagents on Elton Road , where we also bought pour programme.
I could go on and on - While living in Derby I ate slept and breathed THE Rams - every reserve and youth team match i went to I knew all the squad and though I knew who'd make it. Over the years I have had so many favourite players they'd fill a book - although a special mention must go to Zac (Kevin Hector) and Bruce Rioch also Leighton James (not popular with some ) but he was a winger and I miss wingers.
The European floodlit games described far more eloquently by others in these pages are something I will treasure forever.
Me Dad started to go regularly again about 71, his change in job position gave him the weekends back again. We all went me, me brother and even Mum sometimes.
We laughed when the attendance was given - we used to joke that was the figure for the tax man and the attendance must be a few thousand over that (allegedly!)
It's all gone now and I know it had to - when people have a go at Derby I often say - Its Gods country - cause to me that's what it is.
When they finally tear the BBG down a part of me will go with it - I know i'll shed tears - same as I did at Wembley when we lost that play off final - "it's only a game" someone said to me that day - and that's the point the Rams aren't only just a game are they?
Everyone who has contributed to these pages knows the answer to that and whether you're born a Ram or find them later in life ,once you tasted them you're hooked - you may even abstain for a while but you'll always come back.
The Rams are a way of life.
c2001 Steve Eyre