Derbyshire cricket fan and Ram, award-winning blogger, author, speaker. Experienced compere/host in various fields
PA & lead assistant
@FTWallace1
and Gus
I just set my alarm for work tomorrow and realised it is the last time I will do so.
Tomorrow, at 6pm, I am officially retired!
Time for me and my family. Dog walks, writing, short and long breaks, plenty of reading and gardening.
Bring it on!
My Dad passed away last night. It was expected, a blessing that he is no longer in pain, but still very sad for all of us.
He was a special man, a proper Dad. I have been preparing this piece and hope it does him justice.
RIP Dad. Love you to bits ♥️♥️
If David Clowes, on his own or leading a consortium, is confirmed today as preferred bidder at
#dcfc
then everyone should get behind and thank the man.
He is a longtime fan who has saved the club. He deserves the thanks of all supporters and I wish him the very best.
Thank you!
I never cease to be amazed at how many on Twitter claim Frank Lampard was a success at Derby.
I disagree. He brought in Mount, Wilson and Tomori with his contacts, but they should have walked promotion with those three in the side.
I will never be convinced he is a good coach.
Wallace is home! With a big dressing but the cyst removed, plus a tooth that was giving him bother and had cracked.
One bowl of chicken and rice and one bowl of water later, he is ready for serious napping!
Middlesex, Yorkshire, Warwickshire.
All played and beaten by
@DerbyshireCCC
in the last week.
Big counties, huh?
As an aside, we are playing fantastic cricket right now!
So much hatred and anger in the world right now.
Thank goodness for the oasis of fun that is Wallace,
@FTWallace1
a dog who brings constant joy.
Everyone needs a Wallace in their life.
We sure do...
My mother in law's house backs onto woodland. A fox started to visit and she put out a few suitable dinner scraps for it.
It now appears that the word has spread. Here is the queue at the canteen tonight...
Viewing cute images of puppies and kittens improves our attention to details and fine motor skills. One explanation is that these traits are important when handling a baby. (Study: .)
@BritainElects
@YouGov
Still find it hard to believe that even one in every four people, eligible to vote, intends to vote Tory.
What more do they need to do, to convince people otherwise?
Their years of corrupt administration have wrecked this country.
Craig Forsyth has got at least another year in him, hasn't he?
A wonderful servant for
#DCFC
, consummate professional and continuing to show his versatility.
@madjoechina
@EmmaRaducanu
Ms Raducanu appears to have it all. Talent, looks, intelligence and a charming modesty that augurs well and is a great credit to her parents.
The world is truly at her feet, if she keeps working hard. Good luck to her and thanks for bringing one of THE great sporting moments!
@MarinaPurkiss
@LBC
Astonishingly, people like Marilyn are ones who still have a vote, oblivious to what is going on in front of our eyes
One in three STILL plan to vote Tory, according to polls. What do they have to do to this country, its people and environment to change minds?
I adore seeing this little face every day.
Even when it is his 'you cruelly woke me with the noise of chewing toast' face.
And yes, he got a bit. Bit of a hypnotist is our Wallace...
Happy birthday to the sweetest-natured pupper that ever drew breath.
Wallace, you are a constant light in our lives. If humans were all like you it would be a much better world.
We all love you to bits! 🤗😘
Wallowers, I got a fur cut and it is my BIRTHDAY! This is my special pawtrait!
I am a big six today and hope you pop by to say hello.
Happy birthday to MEEEEEEEE! 😂😘🤗
@WayneRooney
@dcfcofficial
Regardless of today, thank you for restoring pride in the club and for making it one that fans, will remember for years, to come
You, Liam, your staff and the players deserve the utmost credit and respect for your professionalism.
Thank you, to all of you.
@tkingdot
@somersetbagpuss
@Channel4
Coming from a, marketing background too, I totally agree with Tracy.
Hard to believe this got through a 'throw ideas around' session. Let alone be approved by them AND then accepted by bus companies.
Very, very poor all round
Just putting this out there before the
#Starstruck
final.
When they secured the extraordinary Adam Lambert as a judge, couldn't they have factored in him singing in more shows with other judges, like The Voice?
Seems such a waste..
This nonsense with Middlesbrough and Derby shows their chairman in dreadful light.
Really low, despicable actions for a man with a short memory.
Steve Gibson, you should be ashamed at your attempts to wreck a club and community in already dark times
@dcfcofficial
All the very best to a class man and fine manager.
Didn't work out at Derby, but he will find his niche elsewhere.
He will be remembered as a gentleman who conducted himself with great dignity in his time at the club.
Thank you!
@SoVeryBritish
A British parrot should know better. The way to communicate in Spain is to talk VERY loudly and slooowly....
As done by many Brits since the 1970s, adding 'por favor' as appropriate..
My periodic airing of
@FTWallace1
as a puppy. Twelve weeks old and perky as a very perky thing on the perkiest day of the year.
Or is it from the
@steifftoys
collection?
You decide!
Doing a tidy up and came across this for the first time in years!
Never was used for a season ticket but remember getting this over 50 years ago. Still perfect!
Are there many of these around, anyone know?
With the wonderful Wallace, aka
@FTWallace1
yesterday on Morecambe promenade.
We all had a lovely time, but he perhaps more than any of us. Lots of attention from people wanting to cuddle 'the Teddy Bear' or 'Tintin's dog'!
This is very sad.
There aren't many breeds of dog that I don't like, but for personality, feisty fun, affection and a wonderful friend. I wouldn't go past a wire haired fox terrier.
And there could only ever be one Wallace,
@FTWallace1
At Chesterfield yesterday I had the pleasure of a chat with the legend that is Harold 'Dickie' Bird
91 now, but still sprightly and a lovely man. I even broke my self-imposed embargo on selfies. When in such company you have to, don't you?
Keeping
@FTWallace1
cool on a scorching day...
An old Early Learning Centre paddling pool and an
@JohnLewisRetail
USB fan.
Both invaluable between the garden explorations and obligatory naps..
Still find it hard to believe I saw him play for the Rams in a golden period
Special player, special man, underrated manager and absolute, undeniable legend, north and south of the border
I see Chris Martin is free to listen to offers at Bristol City.
Already, the 'bring him home' calls have started. With 27 goals in his last six seasons, I have no idea why. He's also 34 and likely looking for a longer deal than 4 months..
Decent in his prime, but not now.
Considered opinion on
#dcfc
A lot of the names I am seeing linked are little if no better than we have.
If money is that tight, I would sooner we keep the club on an even keel and use what is already there.
No point signing players who appear bang average in record..
Today is Mum and Dad's SEVENTIETH wedding anniversary. The old romantics wed on Valentine's Day, 1953.
Old age has brought its challenges, but they still have each other and their independence.
Extraordinary achievement. Lots of love to both of them on their special day.
Wonderful day in gorgeous
#BerwickuponTweed
.
Despite the jackets, a lovely day in a short break where we are all together. Happens less these days, so each one is treasured.
Precious times. Especially with
@FTWallace1
in tow!
On a Lake Windermere steamer with the wonderful
@FTWallace1
I am not sure which one of us (including daughter and wife) is enjoying it the most.
But Wallace is up there...
@shani_official
@DerbyshireCCC
It has been an absolute privilege to watch you play for and captain my county this year,
@shani_official
Go well for your country. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Got to say really smart, fun work by
@dcfcofficial
Admin tonight.
Great to see players announced one by one. They deserve that.
And so do supporters.
Keep them coming, guys!
The joys of a fox terrier, specifically
@FTWallace1
encapsulated in 3 not especially clear pics
1 Identify target: in this case a tiny fly (see top of lampshade)
2 Try to 'punch' with paw
3 Track it around the room, even behind the couch.
And repeat.. HOURS of fun!
@FoxCricket
@BLACKCAPS
Thankfully got to my wife's similar condition just before it burst.
An aortal graft took eight hours, but four years down the line she has come through it wonderfully.
Prayers for Chris and his family that he too pulls through
@dgriffinpix
@DerbyshireCCC
@azharflicks
Probably the best knock I have seen in person.
Dad and I sat by the sightscreen at the Lake End and it was a different game when he was on strike.
John Morris asking David Graveney if he wanted him 'in the trees' was memorable!
Wonderful batsman!
34 year anniversary today, for the lovely Mrs D and I.
Hard to believe where the time has gone, but that's 3 bonus years since her major heart surgery which saw an aortal replacement.
Here's to many more!
I follow a lot of cricket writers on Twitter but the only one I always read is
@GeorgeDobell1
I applaud his honesty and being willing to stick his head above the parapet.
Others need to do the same to save the county game from ECB subterfuge...
@Shiv82178096
@SkySportsNews
To be honest mate, most would consider Harold Shipman at this stage...
As long as he pays enough for us to start on 0 points and not - 15 this season we will take it.
As long as he ensures Mel Morris never sets foot on the ground again...
37 years married to this wonderful woman today. We have gone through a lot together, but she has been my rock in that time and I can't imagine life without her.
Photos over the last ten years. Thanks, Sylvia! ♥️♥️
@Mickeyarthurcr1
And scored them with greater fluency than anyone managed, until Reece and du Plooy later.
Wonderful cricketer. Thank you for bringing him to Derbyshire to light up and enhance the county game.
Happy birthday to me!
65 today. Got some lovely presents and appreciate all of them. 1937 Wisden (showing Derbyshire's championship win) and a Fitbit from Mrs D, as well as other goodies.
Happy? Yeah, for sure..
A few tears today at a present I bought for Sylvia - a painting of
@FTWallace1
done by the wonderful
@theraviosart
It is stunning, a work of genius. Thank you Ravi. If anyone is looking for something special, please do get in touch with a hugely talented artist from Derby.
TWO MILLION VISITS!!
Thrilled that my blog on
@DerbyshireCCC
has passed a mark I never considered.
Proof that interest in county cricket is alive, well and in 29 countries at the last count.
That's PROPER county cricket. The kind we all love.
Thank you!
#Peakfanblog
Sadly we can't get down to see them this year, but this is my Mum and Dad's 68th wedding anniversary.
68 years... Here is a restored photo from their wedding day, on February 14, 1953
Happy anniversary to both of you, and lots of love! x
@timothy_stanley
If that was an 8/10 I wish you had marked some of my school tests and uni exams....
A nightmare from start to finish in which he barely answered a question
No sign of guard dog supreme,
@FTWallace1
on the landing this morning, where he likes to spend most nights keeping a wary eye on things.
Further investigation confirmed that everyone is entitled to time off, once in a while!
Gotta say I am seriously excited for the start of the county season tomorrow.
As usual, Derbyshire have been written off, but with Mickey Arthur at the helm and two serious overseas recruits, keep an eye on us...
Worth mentioning the EXTRAORDINARY season of Leus du Plooy for
@DerbyshireCCC
979 runs in 13 innings, average 108.77
Serious stats, serious player.
England should be looking at him, before South Africa do. He can make that step up
Lovely having a long catch up with Derbyshire cricket legend Edwin Smith this evening.
He's in great spirits and remains the most engaging company at 88.
The only living Derbyshire cricketer with over a thousand first class wickets. And can still talk you through most of them!
Praise indeed.. my 93 year old, nearly blind Dad loves the football on
@BBCDerby
Told me today that
@Ed__Dawes
and
@bolds1980
are 'the best pair they've EVER had.
Considering he has listened since the start and there's good competition, that is praise, fellas!
Well done 🙌🙌
Just back from my hour of exercise around the village with
@FTWallace1
We are so lucky to live ten minutes from Glasgow and have all of this, five minutes walk from the house.
Never saw a soul, two or four legs
#Glasgow
#SocialDistancing
It is a year ago today that my Dad passed away. Not a day since when I haven't missed him. Seen here with Mum, who passed in December, on their 50th anniversary. They went on to share 20 more.
Wonderful man, great Dad, loving and loyal. Love you, Dad x
@TomThorogood17
If he doesn't, my interest in the club would fade. Cocu is a class act, the sort we probably had to go abroad to find.
He has been impressive in his calm professionalism, his giving opportunity and his work ethic.
We are very lucky to have him
And every cricket lover should tweet and retweet David's articulate words.
And at YOUR member forum, make your voice heard. We CANNOT, MUST NOT allow the ECB to ride roughshod over decades of history and rivalries
Ah, good morning county cricket season! I have missed you SO much.
England really is a distant second for me.
Best wishes to all
@DerbyshireCCC
as we embark on another season. My 54th as a supporter and 13th as a blog writer on the county.
Make us proud, lads. Go well!
I hope today's defeat is a lesson in humility to the
@SkyCricket
commentators, as well as England.
All through the Pakistan innings we heard how 'we can chase down anything' and 'they probably haven't got enough' .
We are a good side. World beaters only if we prove it
#ENGvPAK
Five Test ground counties, including 4 that will host
#thehundred
have failed to make the T20 knockout.
Ponder on that one a while...
Bit embarrassing for
@ECB_cricket
eh?
Wow! I've seen dozens of gigs over the years but
@lospacaminoscom
@PaulYoungParlez
put on an amazing show tonight
@OranMorGlasgow
Wonderfully entertaining. Supremely talented musicians at the top of their game. If you get a chance to see them, take it. You will have a blast!
Best wishes to all for 2024.
2023 wasn't the best for me, but 2024 could see football and cricket success, while it will DEFINITELY see my retirement.
So I am accentuating the positive, and wishing the very best to all. Thank you for so much blog and X engagement this year!
Funny how times change. Five years ago we would have donated a body part for a cricket stream the size of a postcard, shot through a low-res camera.
Now folk moan at a temporary lack of commentary and graphics. Need to remember this is a FREE service folks.
We are very lucky.
A week in hospital tomorrow and hopefully home at the weekend.
These two, and our son, big Steve, have been amazing. Absolute rocks for me.
I couldn't ask for a better wife and kids
Thank you all ♥️♥️♥️
In all the rightful fuss over seven successive scores over fifty and reaching a thousand runs for the season, it seems to be overlooked Luis Reece has scored a ton in each innings here.
A heady day for him. Top player!
@ReeceDinsd45561
Sadly, Reece it is the way they work. They blocked my dog's account for three weeks, as he was 'too young' for Twitter.
A dog. This dog...
@FTWallace1