The December edition of Derby County’s new monthly magazine, The Rampage is out now.
As ever, the 100-page publication is filled with exclusive interviews and club centric content. For this month’s featured interview, The Rampage spoke to Mr. Derby County – 103-year-old Derek Eley, football’s oldest fan.
In a heart-warming interview, Derek reminisced on some of his favourite Rams memories of almost the last century. Those included watching Derby lift the FA Cup in person, memories with his friend and former chairman, and the time he gave Roy McFarland and his mother a lift after a game.
He is also deeply missing being at Pride Park Stadium during the COVID-19 global pandemic but he makes sure all the Derby games are on his TV so he isn’t missing a thing!
Here is an extract from the piece you can read exclusively in The Rampage:
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But, like everyone, Derek has not been able to attend games since the Coronavirus outbreak in March 2020. For someone whose life has revolved around football, and especially Derby County, he has found it tough and is missing it dearly.
“I’m 103 now and I haven’t been out of my front garden for eight months, but we can’t go to Derby at present with the restrictions,” he sighed. “I’ve got some friends who I go with and they haven’t been either.
“I’m missing it a lot. We have been very lucky because we’ve watched a few on the TV. Now my eyesight isn’t the best, so I have to get close to the box and I’ve been able to watch them.
“I live on my own. My wife died 18 years ago through Alzheimer’s, terrible thing. She used to be a theatre sister, and then she became a matron of a home in Buxton with 50 old people. She died at 81. I’m 103 now and I’ve been on my own for a long time.
“I’ve got a daughter who lives near Shrewsbury. She’s 71 now. She was a veterinary surgeon and I’ve got a son who has a very good job in Australia. He’s 69. My family line will be no longer after they die but all being well, they will be good for a long time yet.
“I have plenty of phone calls in and out, and I have care workers who come three times a day to give me my meals. I’m not lonely because I get close to the television and watch all of the football, especially the Championship.
“But I’m not sure I’ll be able to go to Pride Park Stadium again if this virus keeps up.”
For the full article and other exclusive content, CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of The Rampage.
