Some decisions are black and white - get your 2008/09 Derby County season ticket secured!

Adam Pearson has paid tribute to the Rams' opponents this Saturday, describing Manchester United as "a great football institution".

And he says there are lessons to be learned from United in the excellent working relationship at the top of the organisation.

In his column in The Ram match programme, the Chairman of Football also praises the loyalty of Derby County fans and refers to Dail Mail journalist Paul Hayward's recent description of them as the best in the Premier League.

Pearson writes to fans: "We will come again, of that I am sure. If we can retain your support and loyalty I feel we will be well placed to have a real go next season at achieving success.

"We need as many season ticket holders as possible to stick with us, as this support, week in week out, is crucial to the short and long term success of this club. We cannot do it without you, as we need a near enough full house again next season to ensure a vibrant stadium atmosphere, and additional financial resources.

"We all want to be playing Chelsea and Manchester United (although preferably not within three days of each other!), and to achieve that objective, on a regular basis, we have to stay together and regroup over the next six months."

Of Saturday's visitors to Pride Park Stadium, Pearson says: "I am always impressed when I visit Manchester United as to what a great football institution it is, and they seem to have excellent standards throughout the club. Standards that I am sure come from the very top in the Manager and Chief Executive.

"The Boardroom and Manager work well together, and that is one of the key ingredients to success here at Derby. We have to create the right structure and format for Paul Jewell to work from, and that is where our energies will be channelled in the coming months.

"We are confident of regrouping successfully over the summer and Paul and his backroom team are concentrating their efforts to develop the squad. So, stick with us, renew your passes and you will be giving us the stadium atmosphere and additional financial strength to drive forward again.

"To turn the club around we just need a little time and stability, as clubs cannot be revived overnight, and that is why I would ask you to remain patient over the next three to four months as we redevelop the infrastructure."

* To read Adam Pearson's column in full, plus great features and pictures including a star interview with Roy Carroll and Gerald Mortimer's appreciation of 'The King' Kevin Hector, grab your copy of The Ram, on sale at shopDCFC from Friday afternoon and at Alvaston News and Chaddesden News, as well as around Pride Park on match day and these pubs Old Orleans, The Harvester, The Royal Telegraph, Crown And Cushion, Victoria Inn, Waterfalls, The Brunswick, The Alexander, The Portland Hotel, The Navigation, Park Carvery Chaddesden, The Peregrine, The New Bridge Inn Shelton Lock.

Some decisions are black and white - get your 2008/09 Derby County season ticket secured!