Ramballs

This being what it is, the first blog of the series during the middle of the closed season, I figured most of you will already be aware of Mile Sterjovskis and Andy Todds departure to Perth Glory, as well as the signing of Jake Buxton and Ben Pringle from Burton Albion and Ilkeston Town respectively. Yes, that’s right, we’ve signed a two previously semi-professional players. Woohoo!

I jest. There have been many grumblings across the messageboards regarding the signing of two unknowns, especially after a pretty poor season spent trying to avoid relegation. A few have voiced concerns that Nigel Clough is out of his depth with regard to playing the transfer market at a professional level and doubt the ability of our first two signings and, while it would be easy to knock these unknowns, I shall refrain from doing so.  I’m quite happy with these additions. Jake Buxton, a former Mansfield Town defender, received high praise from many in the Blue Square Premier after his fantastic performances throughout Burton Albions promotion season last year; he’s young, hungry and Nigel Clough knows his well. Likewise, Ben Pringle is a talented young midfielder who will be joining Derby as part of the clubs new development squad (or reserves as most people call them). Neither of them has cost the Earth and both will be wanting to show exactly what they are capable of in the CCC. With any luck, they’ll be prove to be excellent additions to the squad and I look forward to seeing them play.

Back to this weeks news.

The Rams have snapped up Lee Croft (above) from Norwich City on a free transfer (although i am reliably informed that there is no such thing as a free transfer.) Derby were forced to wait to until Croft turned 24 before they could sign the winger as he arrived on a Bosman and, as such, they would have had to pay compensation if he was still 23. The official site describes Croft as a “flying winger” but we’ll have to wait until August to see if he can soar to new heights (sorry).

Dean Moxey, 23, has agreed personal terms with the club. Moxey, who can play at down the left side of midfield or in defense, arrives from Exeter City for fee believed to be around £300,000. He’s an Exeter lad who worked on the turnstiles for the Grecians on the day they got relegated in 2003. I’m sure that’s a happy memory for him. Here’s a link to the Exeter City website listing their top 5 Moxey moments.

Dean Moxey loved his new scarf

This week sees the launch of the clubs new home kit with a “kit parade” scheduled in for Friday 3rd July in the Market Place. This is the clubs fifth new strip in as many seasons, something has angered some irrational fans who believe that when the club launches a new kit they must buy it and these new kits are costing them a fortune. I heard one guy on the radio saying his kids would pester him for YET ANOTHER new strip and it’s more expense during these hard economic times. My advice: JUST SAY NO! The kid will deal with it in time and if they don’t, you could always put them up for adoption. Here are the kit launch details.

Burnley look set to sign Tyrone “quick, through that window” Mears. Mears played in important role in the promotion season under Silly Billy Davies and was later accused of fleeing through a window to catch a flight to Marseilles by former boss Paul Jewell. Burnley have reportedly had a £500,000 bid accepted by the rams leaving Tye free to agree personal terms with the newly promoted premier league side.

Finally, because I really should wrap this up, the court case involving former Derby County directors Jeremy Keith, Murdo MacKay and Andrew Mackenzie has ended with them all being found guilty. MacKay and Mackenzine were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the club while Keith (you know, the fat one who looks a like Hermes from Futurama) has been found guilty of false accounting. Some previously unknown goon called David Lowe was found guilty of money laundering while a fifth man, we’ll call him Mr Innocent, walked away from the charge of false accounting. For full coverage of the story check out the DET coverage here.

Jeremy keith

Hermes Conrad

Back soon, I promise.