Adventures in Football #101: Pride Park (Derby County) 

 

Mar 29, 2024 

 

DERBY COUNTY vs. BLACKPOOL FC (League 1) 

 

I had, originally, been planning an epic double-header here. Going solo to Derby and then meeting a mate of mine at Southam for an evening game. Well, the trains kinda ruined that for me. Birmingham New Street was such a mess I was still in Birmingham at the evening kick-off time. So, just the one game today. I’m also headed to Wolves on Sunday for the Women’s League Cup final but I’ve been there before so no new content to be had.  

 

Pride Park has been Derby’s home since 1997 and has a capacity of a shade under 33,000. If that sounds like a LOT for League 1 it’s because it is. Derby’s average attendance this season has been nearly 27,000 per game, more than 6,000 more than Bolton, who are second on the attendance list. When the bulk of the division don’t attract 10,000 for a home game, it is telling how big Derby are, compared to the rest of the division. They’re massive.  

If Derby were in the Championship, their average attendance would be in the top ten. Sixth to be exact. Trailing only Sunderland, Leeds, Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich. Three of which were Premier League clubs a year ago. They also have more home fans than a chunk of the top division’s clubs. They’ve had a higher average attendance this season than Palace, Fulham and Burnley. Derby, on fanbase, could easily sit mid-table in the Premier League.  

Derby have a rich history too. They’ve won the league, twice, in the 1970s. The first time under the stewardship of Brian Clough. People around me were talking football on the train and one poor fella was under the impression that Derby had won two European cups. He’s getting his east midlands teams confused. I didn’t like to correct him. Derby lie second at the start of play and are heading back to the Championship, providing they don’t fuck it up.  

On game day, I headed out to Birmingham, before catching a busy connection to Derby. The train heading towards Nottingham. There are two groundhopper types sat at a table so I sat with them. One was definitely a Norwich fan. I was sleepy, so I closed my eyes and just listened to the chatter around me. I was particularly amused at them looking at the National League table, eager to not lose ticks on their 92 number (“I’ve been to Aldershot”). Something I regularly look at. I am full on jiggered this year because I’ve been to Forest Green, Sutton and Colchester. So, I’m losing one tick straight away, as I’ve not been to Chesterfield. The other one, I’m hoping for Bromley or Solihull to come up! 

The ground is a short walk from Derby station. Google Maps had it at 19 minutes. I’m pretty sure it’s less than that, depending on the speed of your perambulation. On arriving, Pride Park is this huge white beacon of hope. In the midst of dreary industrial and out of town shopping plots. It still looks brand new. I’ve been to a few stadia built around the same time and they are starting to show their age. Pride Park looks like it was opened yesterday.  

On arrival, I spot a familiar figure in a motorised wheelchair and it’s Old Athers! Joe is a long suffering Blackpool supporter. I loved getting the “what are you doing here?” reaction from him. I like to pop up in unusual locations nowadays. After explaining that I need this tick on my 92 list (I’m on 52/92 now), I’m off to scope around the outside of the ground. I’m continually impressed at the organisation. I’ve opted for a physical ticket, which shows me exactly where my turnstile is located, on the back.  

The turnstile is a narrow one. The kind of turnstile you have to turn sideways to get through. There’s no one manning it, which is a sad modern football thing. I like the whole ‘say hello to the turnstile operator’ part of the game. It’s always interesting to see if they’re miserable or not. Immediately tells me a lot about the club. The hallways and concourses are neat and tidy, although my knees don’t thank me for booking yet another seat up a massive flight of steps.  

Worth it for the view though. Up the Rams! I’m in my seat quite early, around 14:15. My whole row is empty and remains that way until 14:50 and then, all of a sudden, it’s full. I was almost expecting a repeat of the Salford experience. All by myseeellllf. But it’s not to be. They’re packed them in today. 30,089 willing Derby on to promotion. The legroom isn’t great and everyone feels very close together. The lad in front elbows me in the knee three times before we’ve even kicked off. I also get a whack in the back of the head during a goalmouth scramble. Apology arriving after the excitement had died down! 

The view is terrific. It doesn’t quite show up here but you can see over the top of the stand across from us. The rolling hills of Derbyshire in the background. Like a smaller, more conservative San Siro. I find myself surrounded by kids. It’s nice to see the next generation of Derby supporters. They seem energetic and feisty. Hopefully about to see a few years of football that will turn them into life long supporters. It’s impressionable age. 

I check in on Futbology and get the 100 ground thing, one ground late. I’ll have to fix that and put my Fairfield Villa friendly from 2021 in there to stop getting my notifications one ground late. It does feel like an achievement though. When I started doing these in May 2021, I was on 5 grounds. Less than three years later and I’m on 101 and been to watch football in 8 countries outside of England (Wales, Scotland, Italy, USA, Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg for those counting at home).  

I get a quick picture of the Derby mascot. His name is Rammy the Ram. This is borderline Boaty McBoatface levels of naming a mascot. Rammy? Really? As we approach kick off the atmosphere starts to grow. The hype video they play is excellent, referring to Derby as the “birthplace of the industrial revolution”. It has a tonne of pride in it. We then get the Imperial March. Hang on, are we the bad guys? Derby, who play in white and black, could easily be mistaken for Stormtroopers.  

The crowd comes to life. We get banners in the stands. The chanting is everywhere. I’m completely unprepared for it. I like to kick back and watch as teams run through their pre-match hype stuff, but everyone is singing. I feel like a total outsider. It’s only later in the game that I start to pick up on the cadence of the chanting and clapping. I still have “We are Derby, Super Derby, we are Derby, Super Rams” in my head.  

The game gets underway and there is palpable tension. Derby are close to returning to the Championship and need to keep picking up points. Blackpool, under Neil Critchley, come here to defend and nick a point. Playing a 5-4-1 formation, which changes to 5-2-3 in possession, they’re clearly out to play the percentages. It makes for a dull game.  

Derby themselves aren’t quick enough in their attacks and rarely get the final ball right to capitalise on Blackpool’s lines. They do get in behind a few times but fail to convert their chances. Blackpool occasionally break through themselves but don’t look confident near the goal. Derby think they’ve scored when the keeper falls into the net holding the ball, but the ref has already given a foul. Ebou Adams breaks the deadlock on 40’ with a stunning volley from the edge of the box. He’s a commanding figure in midfield and POTM. 1-0 at half time and the players just about get off before the heavens open. 

It absolutely hammers it down. Torrential rain, thunder and lightning and yet, before the players are back out, it’s over and the sun is out again.  

The result is this gorgeous double rainbow inside the ground. British weather at its best. Derby’s fans continue to be extremely loud throughout the second half, willing the result over the line. Despite a few nervy moments and desperate blocks, Derby finish the game off and win 1-0. We all head for the doors and there’s an ebullient mood among the supporters. Although I notice just a touch of cynicism. Always important to keep the balance, lads. Everyone then gets caught in a hailstorm before hitting the train station. I’m staggered how many Derby supporters aren’t from Derby. I guess they have a catchment area that includes Belper, Long Eaton and even Burton. Either that or they were going to Birmingham on the piss. 

 

FULL TIME: DERBY 1 BLACKPOOL 0

 

Before I head out, here are the scores for Pride Park.  

 

ATMOSPHERE: 

I legitimately didn’t realise what a banging atmosphere Derby have. They started singing pre-match and kept it up for most of the game. We were adjacent to the end with the most singing and it regularly spread into our section too. Fine work. **** 

 

COST: 

The ticket was £29, which is a little pricy for League 1. Normally, I pay around £22-24 for League 1 games. The closest comparison is Sheffield Wednesday, who charged £27. So, while it’s not extortion, it’s at the high end for the division. **½ 

 

QUALITY: 

The football wasn’t great but I think we can blame Blackpool for that. That said, Blackpool’s tactical gambit almost came off and Derby only won because of a cracking goal. **½ 

 

EASE OF ACCESS: 

Parking looked to be ample and everywhere. I walked past loads of parking spaces. The departure, and arrival, via train was very easy. It’s about 40 minutes from Birmingham New Street. The station is near to the ground and it’s an easy walk. **** 

 

MISC: 

Pride Park is an exceptional ground for League 1. I’ve scanned down the list of grounds for the division and it’s easily the best (bar maybe Fratton and Charlton for historical reasons). The concourses are excellent. The whole design of the ground is pleasing on the eye and is easy to navigate. There was also effort put into the outside and staircases to make it feel like Derby’s home, not just a random stadium. **** 

 

OVERALL: 17 

Very, very close to the elite gold tier, missing it by only half a point. If ticket prices were slightly lower or the game had been better, it would have made it. Overall, a great ground and a club deserving of better than they’ve had in recent years. Should be, as a minimum, in the Championship and I hope they get that promotion this year.