Book Festival goes into extra time with Rams event

Two voices synonymous with some of Derby County’s most successful years will be special guests at an extra event organised by the Derby Book Festival.

Graham Richards and Colin Gibson will be sharing their memories of the Rams’ tenure under manager Jim Smith with author Ryan Hills, whose best-selling book ‘Groundwork’ documents how the Rams became world leaders in technology and football analysis under ‘the Bald Eagle’.

The trio will be taking a trip down memory lane as they join former sports journalist Kerry Ganly, from Penguin PR, in conversation at Landau Forte College on Wednesday, November 30.

‘Groundwork’ is a follow-up to ‘Pride: The Inside Story of Derby County in the 21st Century’ – and documents how Jim Smith was responsible for leading the way in the mid to late-1990s when it came to new ways of looking at the game.

Rams fan Ryan said: “While I loved working on ‘Pride’, that book was about a 20-year spell mired in turmoil and ultimately disaster.

“This period is neither of those things. It was one of hope, of genuine delight among the fanbase and of the ability to dream. And that’s what supporting a football club should be about.

“It’s more than 90 minutes, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a family, a bond you can never break. Yes, it can be tough, it can be horrible, and it can infuriate. But life without it is not worth considering, especially after the turmoil we’ve all been through over the past 18 months.”

The Autumn Edition of the Derby Book Festival, which ran from Friday, November 4 until November 6, was hugely successful, with guests including acclaimed author Raynor Winn and TV presenter Dan Walker.

It was organised in partnership with all the major arts and cultural partners in the city, with funding from Arts Council England, the University of Derby and more than 20 businesses and individuals across the city.

Liz Fothergill CBE, chair of the festival said: “Books provide us with adventures into other worlds and lives, exploring new ideas, topics and creating conversations.

“We hope our events inspire people to discover new authors and encourage their love of books.”

Tickets for the Rams event can be booked here https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/events/ryan-hills-groundwork-the-inside-story-behind-jim-smiths-derby-county or call 01332 290606.