BBC Radio Derby

Like many fans I mostly here Ed Dawes commentary as a playback after the game whilst driving back to Lincoln. On the way back we hear the highlights of the game we have just witnessed.

Ed has his own style of commentary and commentators are much loved and by some loathed, but that is all opinion. The radio commentator has far more to say than those on tv due to the obvious fact that they have to provide a more in depth description.

BBC local radio presents partisan coverage and the broadcast team live a game as though they are part of the club. Enjoying the highs and living the lows like all of the paying spectators.

My earliest memories of Radio Derby was back in the days when the programme known as Sportscene was fronted by Colin Gibson and with Graham Richards behind the microphone with Ian Hall giving a summary of the action. That team was a long time together.

Graham Richards also knew how to fill in the gaps when there was a break in play with his trivia questions. He also provided some very memorable commentaries. Who will forget the wins against our red neighbours and such gems as "Forest are in ruins" or his response to Dean Saunders scoring a winner "Pick that one out of your net Mark Crossley, not a chance!"

Of course Graham eventually decided in 2003 that he would be retiring and Ross Fletcher took the mic from him assisted by Ted McMinn. Ross was there when we put Southampton out of the play offs and many will recall his "This is so Wembley" shout when Idiakez missed the vital penalty for the Saints.

Ted McMinn was a pundit who didn't pull any punches and clearly saw things like a real fan. I recall his non complimentary words about a certain Marco Reich when he returned to Pride Park with Crystal Palace. Reich was booed off the pitch and Ted said "Yep, you'll no fool the Derby County fans"

Ross left Derby not long afterwards along with Ted and Colin Bloomfield with Dean Sturridge took over. Colin who tragically passed away after fighting melanoma was a nice guy. He was one of the good guys and actually an avid fan of Shrewsbury Town.

Dean Sturridge gave up the summariser role after the disastrous eleven point premier league season to concentrate on getting his coaching badges and was replaced by Gary Rowett who stuck around until he got the gig as Burton manager. Since then Roger Davies, Craig Ramage and Eric Steele have filled that role.

Colin Gibson must be the longest serving of match day staff, but he too eventually moved on to pastures new working for Rams TV, his successor Owen Bradley also taking the same route.

When the season was interrupted by coronavirus Chris Coles was presenting, Ed Dawes describing the action and Eric Steele with analysis of the game.

Personally I think the guys do a very good job, they must have the patience of job when presenting the  Monday Night Phone-in. Barry from Burton says........ Dave from Derby....... All opinions though and thats what makes it fun!

Players and Politics

As anyone who knows me, I am a former Labour Councillor and life time fan of Derby County! In fact one local authority I served on saw the father of former Rams Goalkeeper Mark Wallington, Keith in the blue corner.

Now I have many friends who support all three main parties and I always judge players on their actual contribution to football rather than which colour rosette they wear in the polling booth.

I think it's fair to say that most players don't reveal their own political beliefs.

Our best ever management pair of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor were known to be left of centre along with other greats such as Bill Shankly and Sir Alex Ferguson. Frank Lampard has admitted to being a Conservative voter whilst the likes of Mick McCarthy, Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce are confirmed reds.

Gary Lineker and Gary Neville along with Jamie Carragher obviously lean to the left whereas Karl Henry and Sol Campbell are staunch Tories.

Quite vociferous in their support for Labour are Neville Southall and Joe Lolley. Stan Collymore also puts his X next to the Labour Party.

Derby County owner Mel Morris we would guess is a true blue after hosting Theresa may at Pride Park in her general election campaign of 2017.

Rams legend Alan Hinton is quite vocal in his support of Donald Trump. He has lived for many years in the USA. His support for Trump would make him a Tory over here.

Whereas Jonathan Walters and mark Bosnich have come out for the Conservative Party, one would have to make and educated guess that Paul Peschisolido would too knowing who his wife supports.

One I would have down as a possible swing voter though is Kevin Keegan. After kissing Margaret Thatcher, the minors son was seen a few years later playing head tennis with Tony Blair.

This column is just a bit of fun, do you know the political allegiances of any players?