Monday, 15th December 2003

As a Ramstrust member I fully support the idea of the organisation. However, it would appear to me that the communication with the fans, even those who are members, is either quite poor, or not enough action is being taken.

So here, in the style of Michael Moore (but without the silly beard) are some questions I, on behalf of all Rams fans feeling as in the dark as me, want answers to.

What is Ramstrust's position on the new owners? How much work is being done to monitor their actions and establish their long term motives?

Does RT plan to gain some kind of board representation in the future? If so, how?

Is the Trust's main goal to scrutinise the owners of the club, and those running the club? Will the other projects we are often mailed about diminish this primary goal?

Has Ramstrust considered that it is everyone's interests to try to promote some spirit around the club? Never mind statues or the website complaining about this. It is us loyal supporters who have to try to keep the fan base together at this time.

What about doing what people I know at West Brom did and organise the most vocal singers to spread around the ground and keep up atmosphere from all the stands, not just one corner. It worked for them when they were in a similar position to us a few years back.

Or what about emphasising positive parts of going to the match rather than complaining about the difficulties of going. I agree that public transport is absolute useless for getting to the ground, e.g. no trains back south for two hours if the game runs on too long. So why not try to improve these aspects?

I don't want to sound overtly critical, but let's be honest we have no other options. The Trust was set up in a blaze of publicity and hope, but since the great success with Richardson (who I nearly met the other day - I was invited somewhere he was going to be. I turned down the offer.) , we have seen little positive results.

The Bloomer statue is nice, but I am increasingly worried for the future of Derby County. I can see little hope on the pitch - even Wimbledon can outplay us, attendances and atmosphere are sinking every game, the players and GB seem unmotivated, and the one new signing we have made this month now seems not to have signed at all.

I fully support the Trust and pay my subs, but in today's game the only way we can return the game to us, or at least get rid of the money culture that has killed the game since the early 90s, is to act ourselves.

From the top of the tree down to non-league teams like my local Enfield, the game seems to be in a bad way. If we want football, and Derby County to survive as the game of the masses rather than a vehicle for advertising and glory-hunting prawn sandwich eaters, then we need to start work right now.

I am going to be the first to say right now on record I am happy to help the Trust in any way to achieve increased accountability and transparency at our beloved club (A levels permitting!!).

Read Fred's previous column here

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