When We Play, PLEASE Stay Away

Derby County has joined fellow EFL clubs in urging supporters to stay away from stadiums, and instead watch all remaining 2019/20 season matches from home - with unrivalled coverage of all of the Rams' remaning games provided by RamsTV.

After a three-month suspension of the season, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, competitive football returned last weekend across the Sky Bet Championship.

Derby return to action at Pride Park Stadium for the first time in almost four months this weekend against Reading on Saturday 27th June (1pm kick-off).

Matches will be played-behind-closed doors, with the safety of supporters, club personnel and the frontline services remaining the principle priority at this time.

Consequently, supporters will not be permitted entry to any area of the stadiums and extra security measures around the immediate area including car parks will be in place when staging matches.

Supporters are also urged to maintain social distancing guidelines and avoid congregating outside stadiums or gatherings to watch matches, as part of a new campaign message: ‘When we play, please stay away’ ahead of all EFL matches.

The club and the Derbyshire Constabulary are united in one message to fans - support the Rams by watching from home.

Derby County’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Pearce, said: “We were all looking forward to football resuming last weekend, albeit in a different way to what we’re all used to, but the message is very clear - ‘When we play, please stay away’.

“It’s going to be very different for us all watching games from home and stadiums hosting matches behind closed doors, but we understand why this is happening for the bigger picture because the COVID-19 outbreak has had, and is still having, serious implications on so many people’s lives.

“With that in mind, we want to reiterate to our supporters, please do not travel to stadiums and congregate outside or attend gatherings to watch matches. Our advice is to stay at home and watch the team in action on RamsTV; we have an in-house channel to be proud of and I have no doubt our supporters will enjoy the coverage.”

PC Roger Brown, Derbyshire Constabulary’s dedicated officer for Derby County, said: “It has been a long time since we had any football to enjoy and I can absolutely understand that some fans may wish to attend either Pride Park, or other gatherings, to remotely cheer the team on or even see old friends.

“The return of football is something to celebrate but it will also be bittersweet. We have all sadly lost friends and family from the Derby County fanbase - a community we support and engage with week-in, week-out, and our thoughts are with everyone that has lost loved ones to this virus.

“It is with those people in mind that I ask every one of you to remain home to support your club. Derby County and the EFL have put in place stringent testing and safety procedures to ensure we are able to watch the team again, and the last thing we want is for that good work to be undone.

“So please - be proud, support the team but stay at home, stay alert, help control the spread and, most importantly, save lives.”