Potential relegation could have economical impact on the community

DERBY County are teetering on the brink of a shattering relegation to English football’s third tier - but what will that mean for the city?

The Rams face one of their biggest matches in recent history today, knowing failure to win against Sheffield Wednesday could see them consigned to League One.

Derby County have not played in the third level of the English football pyramid since the 1980s.

If the Rams were to suffer relegation this afternoon (kick-off 12.30), fears may increase within the community about the club’s future especially with a takeover bid reportedly in “jeopardy”.

There could also be concern on how relegation would affect the city, with possibly significantly smaller crowds at Pride Park Stadium as to what was seen before the coronavirus pandemic.

When the club last won promotion to the Premier League with all its riches, there was talk the success would provide a multi-million pound boost to Derby’s economy.

Now, as the Rams are in danger of going the other way, Derbyshire Live asked Derby City Council bosses and Marketing Derby if there were concerns about the future of the city’s economy should Derby County be relegated.

However Derby City Council said it still expected large numbers of people come to Derby no matter what Derby County’s situation is.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Derby County stay up but it’s more about local pride than anything else.

“As events return to Derby we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the city to enjoy the Ram Trail, Derby Market Place, the opening of the Museum of Making at the Silk Mill and some great events such as the Darley Park Weekender and Derby Folk Festival. Survey: Holidays abroad “With uncertainty around foreign travel people will be looking for things to do closer to home and we have much to look forward to.”

And Marketing Derby boss John Forkin said the Rams would still have a “strong identity” no matter in what league the team is playing.

Mr Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby which promotes the city in order to attract investment, said: “We are hoping to stay in the Championship but whatever league we are in, Derby County has a strong identity with investors though, to be honest, their main concern is the strength of our economy, our businesses, talented workforce and commitment to rebuilding confidence in the city centre.”