Questions remain at end of week of trauma
DERBY County Football club are 137 years old this week, having been formed in 1884, but have there been many more dramatic weeks than the one just passed?
The Rams escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the season last weekend.
A combination of their 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United’s failure to beat Cardiff City secured Championship status and prevented Derby dropping into the third tier of English football for only the third time in their history.
Relief among supporters at seeing the team reach safety was quickly replaced by concern when it was confirmed the EFL had won an appeal against Derby over a charge of breaching financial rules. The charge relates to the amortisation of intangible assets – how the purchase price of a player is spread across a contract.
The Rams now face a possible sanction ranging from a fine to a points deduction, although any points deduction would likely come in next season.
On the same day, it was announced that former skipper Richard Keogh had been awarded £2.3m in a compensation case against Derby.
Now it appears the latest takeover bid is off as Derby’s owner and chairman, Mel Morris, is reportedly ready to abandon talks with No Limits Sports Ltd, owned by Spanish businessman Erik Alonso.
It is more than five weeks since the Rams issued a statement saying a definitive agreement to purchase the club had been reached with No Limits Sports, subject to EFL approval.
This came only a few months after BZI’S proposed takeover of the club collapsed, so a “let’s wait and see what happens” response from fans to the latest takeover news was understandable, a natural reaction after what had happened previously.
Derby said on April 7 that the transaction “is expected to close in the near future”. Fans have waited, and waited. Once again the longer the wait for completion, the further away completion appeared to be, so the latest news comes as no real surprise.
The on-off takeover saga surrounding the club has been an unhelpful factor in a torrid season.
Takeovers can be delicate, drawnout affairs. Contractural obligations presumably mean not much can be said in public, nor should such matters be played out in public.
Rarely are there running commentaries on takeovers and Derby’s chairman cannot be expected to update regularly but the saga has stretched patience among the fanbase.
There is frustration, uncertainty and concern – and that is understandable.
The club issued an apology to the fans on Sunday following a poor campaign on the pitch.
“Over the course of this season our results have simply not been good enough, leaving us with just enough points to stave off relegation to League One,” said a statement.
“But whilst this season has undoubtedly been a difficult one, there is a steely determination and burning desire from everyone at the club to restore that vital connection with supporters and to collectively take the Rams forward with a renewed sense of resilience and togetherness.”
The statement added: “We will issue further communication in the near future regarding plans for next season and address the subject of ownership.”
Now another takeover attempt looks to be off and though there has been no official confirmation, this could be a good time for the chairman to “address the subject of ownership” publicly.