Brett Trafford (Australia)
I went to primary school in Loughborough,Leicestershire in the early '70s, most of my friends suported L*ic*st*r because they had older brothers and sisters who did but I never felt any attachment to L**c*st*r- My Grandad followed Notts F*R*st a bit although he wasn't a regular matchgoer or anything - I think I must be the only Rams fan with the tiniest of soft spots for F*r*st because of my Grandad.
Derby were the only team I had any time for since about 1971 - I knew the whole team backwards and once on a school trip to London I bought a Roy McFarland rosette (from a vendor outside the science museum) that was a prize possession for years.
In 1972 when I was 9 my family moved to Australia where I kept in touch with Derbys' fortunes ever since- they are a team with true character and soul and have never been far away from the pace for long because that's where they deserve to be- on their day they are unbeatable, it's a pity they can't be more consistent, but they are the only team to follow.
(They remind me of my 'Aussie Rules team The Sydney Swans' the best value team in the competition)
I've gotta say that although I have been a Derby fan for 29 years I have never seen Derby play except for highlights packages on TV-A Ramsnetter said recently that he was the bloke standing behind the goal trying to put a 'hex' on Bradford's penalty taker-and that a bunch of Ramsnetters were seated behind the goal at the Bradford game it is great to be on an email list with Derby fans who saw Derby play only a day or so ago- the next best thing to being there myself.
Remember when you are next at a ground watching Derby play- there are thousands and thousands of Rams fans who are right there with you in spirit from all over the planet.
c2001 Brett Trafford