Super Rams

It looks like a line has finally been drawn under the whole Mackay-Rasiak dispute today once and for all by Derby chairman John Sleightholme.

During the Summer break, Murdo Mackay was very open over his thoughts with the whole potential Rasiak move when Wolves showed an interest in one of our best players of late. He made it quite clear (as did Burley) that he wasn’t keen on any transfers for Rasiak so dispute continued over Mackay’s public outburst and decisions had to be made of what were to happen to our Director of Football. Well after an eventual-but-unfortunate move to Spurs for the Polish striker, it seems that Sleightholme wants to brush the disputes under the carpet and move the Rams forward with a more positive attitude.

To be honest, I agree. While I’m disappointed by the loss of Rasiak, the success of our 2004/5 season wasn’t down to just one man (and I don’t mean Burley). The whole team showed amazing dedication and talent and that was echoed in the second half of the game against Crewe last weekend. I hope we can go into tonight’s game at Coventry with the same determination and show Stern John what he’s missing out on.

With the new season under way, it seemed only fitting to show my support for the Rams this season by purchasing some sort of Rams memorabilia.

I noticed the new shirt on ITV‘s coverage of yesterday’s game against Brighton and thought that would be an ideal purchase. So I popped over to the DCFC Club Shop to see how much they were. When I realised that it would cost me more then £40, I thought I had best leave it until next month seeing as I’m going on my honeymoon this month and would need any extra pennies for drink.

So I popped over to eBay to see if there were many products that were Derby-related in their listings. I was pleasantly surprised to see a huge list of goods from old programmes to autographed tops to (even) a vintage “I am a Rams Supporter” badge from the 70s. I was amazed at how low the bids were for most of the items too so I’ve put several bids on items and hope to walk away with something by the end of the week. I suggest you have a search yourself and buy some Derby history to show your support. Why don’t you post a comment here if you buy anything to let everyone know what you have?

DCFC.co.uk are now offering more football content for your mobile phone and to launch it, they’re offering the first month for free!

Photo M-Mag & Video M-Mag are new ideas from Pride Park which offer rich multimedia magazines for your mobile phones. Photo M-Mag offers the following:

• Action pics from every match
• Match reports and news
• Manager and player comments
• Club and popular ringtones
• Goal of the week slide shows
• Player & still action shots
• Results, fixtures and tables

Normally the Photo M-Mag are only £1.50 per message but this deal offers the first month for free. To register, text 84700 or visit the website.

Both services are available on all the major UK operators (see below), as long as your phone is multimedia capable.

While Phil Brown has cancelled the tour of Norway for the Rams this Summer, there is still a chance to see how the team are shaping up with their new manager for the new season with some local friendly fixtures.

• On Saturday 16th July 2005, Derby will take on Carlton Palmer’s League Two Mansfield Town away. Kick off is at 3pm at Field Mill.

• The following week (Saturday 23rd July), the Rams will be tested properly by facing Steve Bruce’s Birmingham City at Pride Park. Kick off will be at the earlier time of 2pm and tickets are still available (as of today).

• The Rams then face a mid-week brawl with Notts County at Meadow Lane on Tuesday 26 July, kicking off at 7.30pm.

• To finish off the friendlies, Derby are heading South to The Pirelli Stadium in Burton-on-Trent to face Burton Albion on Saturday 30th July.

It’s been over a week now since Burley left but we are still none-the-wiser as to who will be our next manager.

According to Chief Executive Jeremy Keith, the board have shortlisted several options from 50 candidates but they are still not too sure what the choice will be another week on. The BBC Sport department have mentioned Yeovil are allowing Derby to talk to Gary Johnson about a possible move but that is the only name mentioned so far.

Meanwhile, Burley has reportedly been in talks with Milwall but declined so who knows where he’ll be come August.

If you know anything, leave a comment.

West Ham 2-2 Ipswich

14 May 2005 (12:15)

Preston 2-0 Derby County

15 May 2005 (12:00)

Ipswich 0-2 West Ham

18 May 2005 (19:45)

Derby County 0-0 Preston

19 May 2005 (19:45)

West Ham v Preston (WHO CARES!!??)

30 May 2005 (15:00)