Derby County – Pride Park

Pride Park – Derby County

Premiership with Latvian cash, well for one night at least we`ve made it. Here`s a marker for the season, so far 3 great displays and with someone playing upfront who could bury the chances we`ve created who`s to say we wouldn`t be sat on top of the league looking towards the promised land.

Derby have had the exact opposite. Having sampled the same pleasures as ourselves albeit 24 hrs later at Wembley, only 1 point from their opening 4 games here`s believing that current form continues and we can keep some interest in the cup, at least until January comes around.

How to get there
Virtually a trip we`ve already undertaken en route to the Walkers on the opening day of the season. M6 to Junction 15, the A500 through Stow ke then on to the A50. Leave the A50 at J5. Take the 2nd turn off the roundabout signposted the A516 Derby. After 4 miles this joins the A38, the ground is signposted from here. Parking is limited around the ground. Suggestions include the cattle market car park, off the pentagon roundabout to the left then 300 yards again on your left, or the Catalyst opposite the Navigation pub.

For the Virgin lovers amongst us the stadium is a 10-15minute walk from Derby station. Leave the station by the back entrance, down the road, take a right. Keep walking taking a left which takes you between the Egg Finance building & the Land Rover showroom, the stadium is straight ahead.

The ground
Where did the Baseball ground go? 10 years old this season Pride Park really is something for Derby fans to be proud of. Completely enclosed with a capacity of almost 34000 we will be sat behind the goal in the Cawarden stand, room for 3000, and if this had been a Saturday we would have probably filled it, however I`d expect a figure of around the 1000 – 1200 to make the trip, probably because it`s a new ground for us all and the fact that we haven`t played there for so long, 22 years next week since we last visited Derby. Views are good and legroom is generous. Ale on sale inside the ground and a bookies to boot, ah the trappings of a new ground?On the plus side, it is allegedly a noisy ground, wonder if they`ll let our drummer in?

Where to drink
It`s a newish ground, so it`s a retail park. From the ground there is a Harvester about a 5-10 minute walk away, as well as the usual Frankie & Benny type places, however near the train station The Brunswick, The Merry Widows & the Alexandra Hotel are usual haunts for away fans. Ale is on sale inside the ground.

Plod & Stewards
The OB will have their hands full in the area on the night. Forrest are playing Leicester (allow some extra time for travel), but I expect a low key approach by both at our match.

Fear Factor Rating – 5

Derby not had the best of starts, whilst we are playing out of our skins – opposites attract, or say they tell me. Two teams, one game, wonder if it will be one night in heaven for us tangerine`s? Here`s hoping we come away from a cup tie against top tier opposition with our pride intact.

Onwards + Upwards