The Derby County supporters’ trust RamsTrust issued a press release on Wednesday regarding current unrest amongst supporters, and the trust’s desire to meet with the club as an independent voice of Rams fans.

Since the closure of the January transfer window, RamsTrust has experienced a huge response to member bulletins and their Press Release (below) which addresses concerns being raised by supporters. The surge in interest underlines the depth of feeling and concern fans have relating to Derby County’s current issues 

The trust have kept a watching brief over the Rams’ best interests for many years as part of the national Supporters’ Direct movement; they have an 800+ membership and have been instrumental in bringing many supporter concerns and issues closer to those in charge of Pride Park since 2002.

RamsTrust played a central role in helping to rescue the club from the reign of the ‘three Amigos” and have also worked extensively in heritage and community projects for DCFC.

Fans voiced their concerns after the game on Tuesday night and it seems more protests could be on the horizon. RamsTrust has moved to clarify various issues causing concern to fans - and more importantly, are trying to head off a possible split between the club and the supporters.

RamZone received the trust’s Press Release yesterday and it read as follows:

Angry Fans Call For Team Investment

RamsTrust has issued the following press release in response to the recent fans' disquiet at the lack of investment in the playing squad.

* RamsTrust is seeking a meeting with Derby County.

* Fans staged a demonstration outside Pride Park Stadium last night and were critical of the club’s failure to strengthen the squad.

* RamsTrust acknowledges that the current board has improved administration and corporate outreach - but is deeply concerned at the team’s sharp decline.

* We acknowledge that the squad inherited by Nigel Clough required major cuts - but the squad lacks depth, quality & experience.

* The GSE ownership group includes super-rich entrepreneurs, investing heavily in American and Canadian sports clubs. GSE promised to restore the Rams to the Premier League.

* MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps have a new $430-million stadium; GSE’s Jeff Mallett is both a Rams and a Whitecaps director. Another partner, Brett Wilson, refers to Derby County as a ‘franchise’ to ‘have fun with’.

* RamsTrust wants controlled, adequate team investment - our club is not a ‘train-set’.

* Derby County fans will soon be asked to renew their season tickets for 2011-12 - at considerably increased prices. RamsTrust will canvass supporters and report their opinions.

* RamsTrust supports the team but wants assurances about GSE’s commitment to the club.

The RamsTrust Board

It will be interesting to see what kind of response RamsTrust receives from the club and the outcome of the proposed initial meeting.

It seems that GSE have had a less than enthusiastic attitude about involving and regularly communicating with RamsTrust who have worked hard to become an established, democratic independent group that consists of long-standing and deeply-passionate fans.

I would think it would be a good time for that attitude to change. 

That along with a few other things!

RamsTrust Chair Paul Mortimer was interviewed last night on BBC Radio Derby in regards to their current stance.

You can listen to Colin Bloomfield’s interview HERE.

If you listen after the 6 pm News from the 9-minute mark you can hear Nigel Clough’s interview; Tom Glick’s response to recent events comes afterwards, at the 15-minute mark, followed on 23 minutes by the Radio Derby interview with RamsTrust.

To learn more about ‘RamsTrust’ and join up, you can visit their website at: www.ramstrust.org.uk

Photo: Action Images

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