One Direction star and Rams supporter Niall Horan dubs Derby County's lack of investment 'embarrassing'
ONE Direction star and Rams supporter Niall Horan has labelled the consortium running Derby County as "embarrassing".
The 19-year-old took to Twitter to voice his frustration at what he sees as a lack of player signings at Pride Park.
He tweeted: "Just thinkin (sic) about my beloved derby county! Fans don't deserve this anymore!
"C'mon owner finger out! You're embarassing (sic) yourself."
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The outburst came after The Sun newspaper reported Horan had turned down a request from Rams chairman Andy Appleby for tickets to a One Direction concert in Detroit on July 12.
The paper reported that Horan had issued an ultimatum to Mr Appleby, saying that he would only grant the US businessman's plea for 1D tickets if he promised to bankroll the East Midlands club into the Premier League.
Horan reportedly said: "Every time I go to a game he's always like, 'Yap, yap, yap'. He said his daughter is a fan and asked me if they could go to our show in Detroit.
"I said, 'Yeah, that's not a problem' but I told him he couldn't go himself.
"I said, 'Until you buy a few players, you're not getting a ticket to our show'."
Although Horan's home town is in Ireland, he follows Derby County after his dad, Bobby, took him to watch the team when he was a child.
His outburst had a mixed reaction from readers on the Derby Telegraph's thisis derbyshire.co.uk website.
Filnzero posted: "Well done, young man. Excellent publicity highlighting the feeling of every Rams fan. We need quality to get out of this league."
In response, DCFCOK wrote: "While some of what you say is OK, Filnzero, throwing money at it doesn't always bring success. Look at our opponents last Saturday, Leicester.
"Niall should be worth a bob or two now. Why doesn't he put his money where his mouth is?"
No-one from Derby County was available for comment on Horan's outburst.
Horan will be in the East Midlands today as One Direction prepare to perform at Nottingham's Capital FM Arena tonight.
The arena is advising ticket-holders against waiting outside the venue before doors at 6.30pm.
17 Comments
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by knawrybred
Saturday, March 23 2013, 10:55AM
“Aptly named group for direby fan, suggest next possible album named "down, down, deeper, and down" LOLs”
by YorkshireIve
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:05PM
“That hairstyle is certainly embarrassing!”
by RamblerD
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 4:38PM
“As Sam Rush, Appleby & Co seem to be ignoring the wishes of 20-odd thousand Rams fans about ambition and promotion, it's very unlikely that they'll take any notice of the views of a celebrity teenybop kid.
Sam's going to go round the County telling all the fans how great everything is @ DCFC - when we can't even afford a squad that provides adequate cover for injuries or enough loan players to fill in or even improve the team.”
by stivians11
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:53PM
“This lad is 19 years of age and a little older than quite a few of our first team debutants this season. Lets stop treating people of that age like kids whatever they do for a living and I am sure this lad works as hard or even harder than most lads younger than him. He has made a statement that lots of Rams supporters would love to do but their voice is lost to the professional businessmen that own our club. Keep it up young un and good luck in your career and for a very wealthy future in music and may be one day in Footballs hierarchy at PP.
Up the Rams”
by andrew20102
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:33PM
“Niall who? A kid who had the extremely good fortune to be put together in a band with another group of pretty boys whose singing talents on their own weren't good enough to progress in a talent show. He has alot to be grateful for - a very lucky break - but I'm not sure what his credentials are to make comments like this. Quite rude and ignorant to say the least. He should be embarrassed.”
by Oppo1884
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:26PM
“Ironic that this article comes on the same day as 'The Budget'. Derby are also into cost cutting measures with 'clever' PR work to its voters. The areas that need investment don't get it yet less required areas do. But we must be good little people and accept this.
No thanks.”
by Oppo1884
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:13PM
“Ironic that this article comes on the same day as 'The Budget'. Derby are also into cost cutting measures with 'clever' PR work to its voters. The areas that need investment don't get it yet less required areas do. But we must be good little people and accept this.
No thanks.”
by paul72
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:08PM
“Niall i 100% agree king hector rowett and thousands of others agree to !! joke board we needed 3 or 4 top 6 quality signings added to our small squad in jan but what happens once we get loads of injurys and drop loads of points we bring in 2 stop gap signings ! Rush is a spin doctor and full of it nigel is the scapegoat !”
by alfiemerly
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:51PM
“No one from Derby County needs to comment they can rely on a condescending editorial comment from the DET.
Why are the ownership group willing to lose fourteen million over two years and not invest ten million last year and go for promotion?
The answer is they are willing to lose seven million a year as a tax break at home. They stated at the time of the takeover that if the fans were happy with midtable in the championship that would be good.
They are a group with no knowledge of the club, no knowledge of football and no interest in getting Derby County back where they belong.”
by FindernRam
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:47PM
“Whilst it's always lovely to see young Niall at PPS one does hope that, in the spirit of his tweet, he does indeed pay for his ticket and doesn't attend on a freebie.
Any chance you could confirm this Niall?”