Next up in our series of fan interviews see’s founder of The Terrace Apparel, Lee Metters, speak to Derby County fans and podcast hosts, Jason Straw and Cory Hancock. Lee speaks to Jason and Cory about the launch of The Rams Review back in 2019. We also quiz them on who they think will come out on top of an already pulsating League One title race, as well as their most memorable Derby County moment, in what has been a turbulent couple of years for The Rams.
Lee: Firstly, thanks to both of you for joining on The Edit. Tell us about your podcast, The Rams Review, and what people can expect if they tune in.
Jason: It all started back in the Summer of 2019. I was listening to podcasts and found a couple about Derby County that I enjoyed. I was working from home after a battle with mental illness and raising my 18-month-old son, and wanted to find something to help keep me positive and keep my mind focused; not just that, but something that I could be passionate about as well. I’d always loved talking! And I have a real affection for The Rams, so I thought, why not put the two together? After a bit of research, I took my iPhone, a doggy headset, and The Raws Review podcast was born.
Since then it has continue to grow. I now have a couple of co-hosts, including Cory, and regular guests who join in with the chat. I’ve also been lucky enough to speak with some true heroes and legends of the game.
Cory: I joined Jason in the Autumn of 2019, and since lockdown we’ve been doing regular podcasts on all the news a Derby County. While the podcast is about Derby first and foremost, we have had guests from opposing teams as well as various ex-players, referees and journalists who have been involved with the game and have a connection to Derby. The podcast tends to cover match previews and reviews as well as any general chat about the club and what might be a hot topic at the time.
Jason: We aim to release a new episode each week, sometimes two. Being a Derby fan is never boring, so there is always something we can have a good chat about! You can find us on all main podcast platforms or follow us on Twitter @ramsreview1, Facebook @ramsreviewpod, and Instagram @ramsreviewpod.
Cory: We’ve had such an incredible journey with the podcast over the past few years. We’ve been fortunate enough to meet some amazing people and have made a lot of great friends and connections along the way. I’m based in America, in Washington DC, but I’ve always had a lifelong passion for football and for The Rams. Through this podcast I’ve been able to develop a close relationship with Jason, a fellow Derby fan, who lives on the other side of the world!
Favourite Players
Lee: Who is your favourite Derby player, and why?
Jason: My current favourite has to be Curtis Davies. He is club captain and has been at the club for about 6 or 7 years now. He wears his heart on his sleeve with every performance and has been a consistent member of the squad for so long now. Not only is he a model professional on the pitch, but he also does a lot with the community in and around Derby as well.
My favourite of all time would probably have to be Craig Bryson. He was a key part of the team in the last decade and was really successful for Derby. Bryson also loved a goal, and even netted a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest, which automatically writes him into Derby County folk law! He was a mainstay during a very enjoyable time to be watching The Rams.
Bryson also loved a goal, and even netted a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest, which automatically writes him into Derby County folk law!
Cory: I have two, and the first would Henrik Larsson, a non-Derby player. When I was growing up in America, football wasn’t on the television that often. However, I did manage to get Scottish football on some obscure channel. I remember watching Henrik Larson score goals for fun at Celtic in their period of dominance in the late 90’s and early 00’s.
Then for Derby, I’ve been lucky to grow up with stories of the great Derby County teams of the past. Legends like Alan Hinton stuck out to me. He also forged a long career here in the US, both as a player and as a manager. He was a two footed winger with an eye for goal and very few defenders in the world would have been able to stop him! Through the podcast I’ve had the privilege of interviewing him. He was such a gentleman and incredibly humble about his footballing career.
Lee: And what about outside of Derby County. Who is your favourite player that plays for another club?
Cory: I love watching Trent Alexander-Arnold. His passing range is incredible, and I do firmly believe that he is the best full back in world football. Realistically though, Jerry Yates and Kenny Dougall, both at Blackpool, are very solid Championship players. I’d love to see both playing for Derby. They both have the goals and guile that could really help this side.
Jason: That is a tough one. I think I would probably say Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a super athlete who has achieved greatness at multiple clubs across Europe and on the international stage with Portugal. He will go down as one of the greats in my lifetime, and he’s such a fantastic player to watch. I wouldn’t have minded somebody like that at Derby to watch week after week!
Football Memories
Lee: What is your earliest footballing memory?
Jason: Euro 96′ is my first real memory of football. I was 8 at the time, but remember watching Gazza score that incredible goal against Scotland. I had always enjoyed football as a kid, but that really sticks in my mind.
Paul Gascoigne T-Shirt
My uncle took me to watch Chesterfield a couple of times, but I followed in my dad’s footsteps and became a Derby fan. I used to get a kit for every birthday as far back as I can remember. Then my first game was 13th September 1997, it was a home game against Everton and my first at Pride Park. We won 3-1 and I was hooked instantly. I don’t remember too much about the actual game, but from then on I gave my life to this team. Throughout my teens I used to go home and away every week with the lads from school, and I’m still a season ticket holder now.
Football for me is a way of life. It’s moulded me over the years and is the highlight of the week (usually). My mood can be changed from one kick of the ball, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Cory: Mine would be a Carlisle United vs. Barnet in the early 90’s. I was in the directors box at Brunton Park. I remember walking out onto the pitch, it freezing, but you could really feel the excitement from the crowd.
Lee: What is your favourite footballing memory, and why?
Jason: As a Derby fan, it has to be the 2007 play-off final win. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a ticket for the game, but I watched on the TV. I’d been to most games that season and it was one of my favourites following The Rams.
Derby weren’t favourites to win the game, despite how they’d performed throughout the season, but the team just had a way of grinding out results. The memory of Stephen Pearson bursting into the box to score, and the celebrations at the time, and after, will live with me forever.
The memory of Stephen Pearson bursting into the box to score, and the celebrations at the time, and after, will live with me forever.
Derby being back in the big time for the first time in 6 years was a great feeling. Unfortunately, that season is the Premier League is one that most Derby fans want to forget forever.
Cory: The first game I attended at Pride Park was special. It was a pre-season friendly against Stoke City and Derby equalised with an overhead kick in the last minute. Although no points were on offer that day, it was really special to be there, to see the stadium, and to see The Rams play live for the first time.
Season Expectations
Lee: So, what are your expectations for Derby this season?
Jason: After all the turmoil off the pitch, Derby find themselves in the third tier of English football for the first time since the mid 80’s. We’ve completely rebuilt the team in the summer, but have managed to bring in some surprising quality. Most Derby fans will be expecting for us to push for promotion this season.
Our recruitment in the summer was exciting, and probably unexpected for a club in our position. We brought in some real experience that wouldn’t look out of place in a Championship team. Players that stand out include Conor Hourihane, who brings vast experience to the middle of the park. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing brings real quality on the wing. David McGoldrick is a real experienced player and James Collins in a proven goal scorer at this level.
Cory: I’d love to get into the play-offs. League One is tough and we are undertaking a massive rebuild project. The playoffs would be a great platform to build from. I agree with Jason on the recruitment front. I like the look of Tom Barkhuizen. He signing went under the radar a little bit, but I’ve always liked him. I remember him at Blackpool, and I think he’s a real quality player. He’s versatile as well, but gives us an extra attacking option that we’ve desperately needed for a couple of years now.
Lee: And who do you think will win the League One title?
Jason: I think Ipswich. They brought in a lot of quality last season, but it just didn’t seem to gel. I expect them to click this season and really push on.
Cory: I’m backing Sheffield Wednesday.
The Terrace Apparel
Jason: At The Rams Review we love the products on offer at The Terrace Apparel. Your products are a must have for any sports fan, and the range of designs reach out to almost every area of sport. The products are really well made, plus they’re stylish and comfortable. The request a design feature is one of my favourite concepts. You can literally capture any sporting moment and embroider it onto a shirt.
Cory: I think your iconic sporting moments are a great touch for sport fans. We were delighted to collaborate with you to create the Jim Smith & Igor Stimac design. I have one myself and I love it. It’s soft, comfortable, and looks very classy when I’m out and about. The small front motif makes it the perfect t-shirt for a wide range of events!
I have one myself and I love it. It’s soft, comfortable, and looks very classy when I’m out and about.
