Christmas glimmer of hope may appear for suffering supporters

PREFERRED BIDDER COULD BE REVEALED NEXT WEEK

A GLIMMER of light at the end of a long dark tunnel? Derby County’s suffering supporters hope that is the case.

The Rams have been in administration three months; three agonising months of gut-wrenching worry for the fans and everyone connected with the club.

The administrators said at their initial press conference in September they hoped to resolve the matter in three months but quickly added there were ‘no guarantees.’

It is near impossible to offer guarantees and rigid timescales, and although that can be frustrating at times it tends to be the case in such complex matters.

We are down to three potential buyers and it appears the administrators are ready to reveal a decision on a preferred bidder next week.

That decision can not come soon enough as it would be the strongest indication yet that things are moving in the right direction.

We all want this ironed out as quickly as possible. We all want to be able to look forward to a rebuild and a new future for the club. We all want to put the past three months behind us.

However, this is a huge decision. While supporters crave the next step, understandably, waiting one more week is bearable.

There will still be a long road ahead and many questions before a takeover is completed, and after one is completed, but a clear sign of progress would be an early Christmas present for fans.

Talks continue with three interested parties.

American businessman Chris Kirchner has been public with his interest and he has flown over to attend a number of recent home matches.

It is being reported that a local consortium with former Rams chairman Peter Gadsby involved is one of the interested parties.

Gadsby was part of a local consortium that bought the club in 2006 and guided the Rams to the Premier League, the last time the club was in the top flight.

Former Rams chairman Andy Appleby remains interested in a takeover of the club, the Derby Telegraph understands.

Appleby is chairman and chief executive of the sports marketing and management agency General Sports Worldwide (GSW).

He purchased the Rams in 2008 through the then-named General Sports and Entertainment (GSE) before selling the club to Mel Morris seven years later.

The administrators have said they hope to complete a sale of the club in late January.

They were due to meet the Supporters’ Charter Group for a progress yesterday.

Chris Kirchner (left) has confirmed his interest in buying Derby County. There has been speculation that former Rams chairman Peter Gadsby (centre) is part of a local consortium that is also interested in taking over the club. And another former Rams chairman, Andy Appleby (far right) is also believed to be interested.