Shops in the city's Cathedral Quarterand St Peter's Quarter have gone black-and-white mad for the Rams. We spoke to staff about why they are going barmy for Derby County.
IN less than 48 hours, Derby County will know whether or not they are heading to Wembley to fight for a place in the Premier League.
They go into tomorrow's Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Brighton with a 2-1 advantage – but their place is not guaranteed until the final whistle blows at the iPro Stadium.
What is guaranteed, however, is the people of Derby will be supporting them and cheering them on all the way, including scores of businesses in the city centre.
We asked fans to get behind Steve McClaren's boys by turning Derby black and white – and they have done exactly that.
From homemade bunting and paperchains to vintage Rams shirts and scarves, stores in the city's Cathedral Quarter and St Peter's Quarter have been hanging anything they can find with Derby County's colours in their windows.
One store even contacted the Derby Telegraph to ask where they might get hold of black-and-white decorations – with demand in the city meaning they are in short supply in some places.
But it was not a problem for staff at Foulds music shop in Iron Gate who had dug out scarves and Rams-coloured guitars and pianos to line their store windows.
Managing director James Foulds said: "This is such an important moment for the town and a wonderful thing for Derby to be a part of.
"We've got a few Derby County fans working here already and we're bound to have a few more if they do get promoted, so this was our way of getting behind the team and wishing them all the best for Sunday."
Staff member Danny Jackson said: "As a shop, we've been here for about 120 years, so it's important we show our love for Derby by celebrating something like this."
At Burley's Cafe in Queen Street, there was a last-minute scramble to deck the premises in flags and bunting – with manager Angela Burnett borrowing them from Rams-mad friend Phil Dyer.
Her son, Dylan, eight, had also helped her to make bunting and paperchains. She said: "He has a heart condition so he can't really play football but he does like watching it.
"When he heard me talking on the phone about decorating the cafe, he started making things off his own back. Now everyone knows from our black and white that we are supporting the Rams."
Staff at Blend hair salon in Sadler Gate said it was an easy decision to pin up Derby County flags and put on Rams shirts, with most of the customers being supporters.
Charlie Blend, from the salon, said: "If the team got to Wembley, it would be great for them and so good for the city – it's all our customers are talking about. We've got a load of vintage shirts which we can wear and we are just so proud to be supporting Derby."
Another hair salon where staff believe the Rams are a cut above the rest is Strand Hair and Beauty. They have donned black-and-white outfits and hung Derby County shirts in the window.
Owner Rob Leyland, a lifelong Rams fan, said: "We want to say good luck to Derby and we really hope they can make it to the final and go on to win at Wembley.
"Everybody is very good in the Cathedral Quarter at getting on board with things like this and we know the Rams are important to both the staff and our customers.
"A few people have come in to compliment us on the decorations and one even wanted a flag pattern in his hair!"
For Jackie and Glyn Jones, owners of Cullen's takeaway, in Victoria Street, putting up balloons and bunting and selling black-and-white pasta pots reminds them of good times with the Rams.
Jackie said: "We used to be season-ticket holders before we had kids and we really enjoyed going to see them. Now we just hope that the Rams finish the job."
Derby County nostalgia was the choice of display at George Bridgen clothes shop in Iron Gate, with old shirts, tickets and photos set out in the store's window.
Assistant manager Hannah Bradbury said: "We're really impressed with Derby's first result and looking forward to tomorrow's match. We chose a classic look because we thought it suited our shop best and we've had some nice comments from customers."
In the Eagle Market, the Barber Shop owner Gary Mann said that every day was about roaring on the Rams. His outlet is full of Derby County memorabilia, which stays up all-year round.
Gary said: "We didn't play our best on Thursday – we were lucky. Getting to Wembley should be easy though – you have to be positive."
And, on the streets, App Man – who promotes the St Peter's Quarter – got into the spirit with a scarf and Derby County logo.
It is easy to get involved with our Roar on the Rams campaign. Call Caroline Jones with news or events on 01332 291111, extension 6102 or e-mail cvjones@derbytele graph.co.uk.
Send in photos or videos to our picture desk at photographers@derbytelegraph.co. uk or get in contact with us on Facebook or Twitter.
