Fans wonder if Rooney will get funds...or walk if players sold in January?
■■Warrington Rams asks: In regards to selecting a preferred party, the timeline appears to have shifted a couple of times now but are you hearing that a preferred bidder will still be selected by the end of the week? Also, apart from Appleby & Co and Kirchner, can you tell us who the other bidders are?
SN: The latest from the administrators, issued last week, is later this month they expect to have “identified a preferred buyer” and they are seeking to complete a sale of Derby County Football Club in late January 2022 subject to the successful outcome of negotiations with key stakeholders and interested parties, which has always been the case.
American private investment firm Carlisle Capital confirmed their interest in October but there might be other interested parties who have not gone public.
When asked last week if he had spoken to interested parties other than Chris Kirchner, Rams manager Wayne Rooney said: “No I haven’t. If I am being honest, I don’t know who the other ones are.”
■■Kevin Holdridge asks: When is the administration team’s meeting with the HMRC?
SN: I would imagine it is a case of ongoing meetings/discussions, Kevin. We are not told when meetings are held or due to be held.
■■David Matthew Kane asks: Have Derby got enough funding in place to continue to operate now the dates for sale, etc, have been pushed back. If so where is it coming from as I can’t see a loan being favourable to Derby given the debt.
SN: There has been a lot of comment on the date of sale of the club being put back to late January but that timeframe was mentioned by joint administrator Carl Jackson before the Bournemouth home game on November 21.
In terms of funding, Jackson said last week: “This has been secured by the administrators, with a charge recently filed at Companies House.”
■■Dom T asks: Their hugely positive presser during our first week of administration is an awful listen back. Did they not fully assess the situation with 1) HMRC 2)
Boro+Wycombe and 3) the stadium ownership before grabbing the work?
SN: The administrators said at the initial press conference that they would like to conclude matters in three months but they also said there are no guarantees, Dom.
Three months appeared ambitious looking in from the outside. The club has officially been in administration for 11 weeks.
■■Darren Weightman asks: It seems as though Quantuma might have bitten off more than they can chew? The dates for preferred bidders seem to be ever extending and potential bidders seem to be losing interest. What’s your take on this, have you spoken to Quantuma and have the Carlisle group withdrawn?
SN: Joint administrator Carl Jackson said at the Bournemouth game: “We have set out a clear timetable to all interested parties which they are working to. Our expectation is we will land on a preferred buyer within the next two or three weeks.”
That was 16 days ago. The most recent statement from the administrators came last week and said: “Later this month we expect to have identified a preferred buyer.”
It is crucial a preferred bidder is identified as soon as possible, Darren. We have not heard from the administrators since last week but they were never likely to provide constant/weekly updates.
As for Carlisle Capital, I haven’t checked recently. We are still being told there are three or four interested parties. ■■ Matthew Fowles asks: Deja vu from last year regarding the takeover in my personal opinion. Is there not legislation in place or an EFL ruling whereby administrations have to be completed in a timely manner? Surely it’s simple maths and then some due diligence on agreeing settlement figures. Out of these three or four buyers, surely they should be narrowed down to the one preferred choice now to then give them the opportunity of negotiating with administration and relevant authorities to agree final settlements, etc. When will we hear exactly who the preferred buyer is?
SN: The administrators have now said they expect to have identified a preferred buyer later this month. Hopefully, that will be the case because it would be a crucial and much-needed step in the process.
■■Roger Grooms asks: How does the Quantuma fee breakdown especially the legal and expenses sections?
SN: The cost of Derby County’s administrators was disclosed in a document filed with Companies House last month, Roger. It showed that Derby’s administrators estimate their fees at £1.5m plus expenses of £1.24m, including legal costs of £1.1m.
■■Paul Knight asks: Do you feel the administrators have become more reclusive (quiet) since they published their estimated fees?
SN: No, not at all, Paul. There was a statement from them last week. They were never likely to provide constant updates or comment on
every article that appears. It is more important when they do issue an update or statement it moves the matter forward.
■■Ian Victor Holland asks: Are we under any real pressure to sell players in January to raise money to pay our debtors?
SN: Wayne Rooney has said not, and has added: “No player will leave this club without me giving it the goahead.”
The administrators have said: “We will keep an open mind on that [selling players].
“We don’t see that as our priority at the moment.”
However, it is impossible to predict what will happen in a transfer window especially given the club’s current situation.
■■Ricky Davey asks: Most of us know we are going down to League One, we’ve got some optimistic fans who think we will stay up. My question is, should Rooney be talking to players now regarding staying for the fight in League One next season? (So it gives us a better advantage to prepare for pre-season and get things in place).
SN: I’m sure Wayne Rooney is explaining the situation fully to those players who are out of contract at the end of the season and to any potential new signings, Ricky. He will have plans in place for each scenario.
■■Andy Pickering asks: Any news on Krystian Bielik?
SN: He continues to make good progress, Andy. The plan is to try and have him involved on match day at some point in January, Wayne Rooney has said.
I saw Krystian at the training ground at the weekend and spoke to him.
He appeared in good spirits and determined to come back stronger and better.
■■John Atkin asks: I know there are other priorities but has the club mentioned any plans to formally acknowledge that it’s the 50th anniversary season of our first Championship?
SN: The club is fully aware of the anniversary and the importance of it in Derby County’s history, John, and I’m sure they will acknowledge it suitably but as you rightly point out in your question, other priorities have to be sorted first.
■■hjackson762 asks: Can you see us signing anyone in January? Or will it all depend on how long it takes for new owners to come in and then give Wayne the funds to do so?
SN: Wayne Rooney wants to strengthen the squad but of course much is likely to depend on the ownership issue.
Even when a new owner is in place, Derby will still be restricted by a business plan when it comes to signing players, and so free agents and loan signings (without a loan fee) look the most likely additions.
■■Chris Bailey asks: Do you think that if players are sold against Wayne Rooney’s wishes in January he will then say enough is enough and walk away?
SN: I cannot second guess what Wayne Rooney would do in such a situation, Chris, but I know he is fully committed to the club and determined to guide the team/club back to better days. He has made this clear.
■■Dave Lockwood asks: Why is it taking so long to sort out?
SN: These things do take time, Dave. The administrators said at the initial press conference that they would like to conclude matters in three months but they also said there are no guarantees.