TLC and dedication are needed to progress now

AFTER nine months of enduring the darkest chapter in their history, the news that every Derby County fan has been waiting for has finally arrived.

In what has been a high-stakes transaction, the last few weeks have been a test of everybody’s patience.

But today – and no doubt last night – there will be celebrations across the city after Clowes Developments’ takeover was confirmed to end what has been a mentally exhausting and torturous saga.

As you would expect, the announcement has been met with widespread relief, given there were times when we all wondered, justifiably, whether Derby County would survive such a crisis.

After failed takeovers from BZI, Erik Alonso and Chris Kirchner, it is Clowes Developments who will go down in the history books as the saviour of one of the founding members of the Football League.

Led by David Clowes, a longstanding Rams fan, they will now try to shape Derby’s fortunes.

Clowes and his team will aim to navigate them to much-needed stability while trying to satisfy the appetite for success.

That is a difficult balancing act, but he should know he will be given all the patience and support he needs as he looks to build a foundation that brings solidity both and off the pitch.

There is a mood of cautious optimism about what the future now holds under the local businessman, whose actions have spoken louder than words in the last few weeks – certainly louder than others’ words.

At least the fans can start talking about their hopes, dreams and aspirations again.

But as much as the fans are relieved their ordeal is over, there is a realisation that a lot of TLC will be required in the short term if Derby are to be ready for the start of the League One season.

Indeed, Clowes Developments have parachuted into the rescue with a squad that has only seven players under contract for the coming season – which underlines just how much work is required before the big kick-off in a month’s time.

Fans are also awaiting news on season tickets and the new kit while there is also the challenge of the transfer window to navigate.

It looks as if it will be the most frantic in the club’s history.

There are also contract talks to be had with players whose deals expired on Friday, a list that includes the likes of Curtis Davies and Ravel Morrison.

For the interim manager, Liam Rosenior, who has been given the job following Wayne Rooney’s shock resignation last

Friday, it is a heck of a task.

But he did a wonderful job alongside Rooney last season as he helped cajole performances from a team, that for 90 minutes, distracted everybody from the headlines off the pitch.

It is exciting to think about what he could do with the squad now that he will be given a licence to enter the market in the hope of giving Derby a chance of competing for honours next season.

The aim is for a quick return to the Championship but you sense Derby fans are realistic enough to know that it is unlikely to be instantaneous.

The club have experienced so much turmoil that the job needs to be handled with care, so that firm foundations are laid in place for Derby to grow organically, rather than be a club that rejoins the boom or bust queue.

It is a monumental challenge for Clowes Developments to take on, but they will do so with no shortage of passion, dedication and love from the terraces.

But at least the nightmare is over at last.