Rooney: Groundshare one of ‘options’ to help keep the Rams alive
WAYNE Rooney says the possibility of Derby County having to groundshare in League One next season is one of the “options” being considered.
American businessman Chris Kirchner is keen to complete a takeover of the club that has been in administration for almost eight months.
The EFL released a statement on Thursday night saying a deal was edging towards completion but the biggest hurdle facing Kirchner is Derby’s Pride Park Stadium which is owned by former chairman Mel Morris. Given the stadium is separate from the administration process a deal needs to be struck with Morris and negotiations are said to be ongoing.
However, if there is no resolution then Derby could look to play their home games away from Pride Park, with Leicester and Stoke potential venues, it has been reported.
“Ultimately we need a stadium to play in and I know Chris is a businessman, so he will have his different options,” said Rooney at his pre-match press conference ahead of today’s final game of the season, at home against Cardiff City (12.30pm).
“He will have a ‘B’ and ‘C’ options, if you like. Unfortunately one of those options is a possibility of potentially playing at a different stadium,” he added.
“For this club to carry on, what the EFL need to see is that the club has a stadium. They are options which we don’t want, of course, we don’t want to go down that route but they are certainly options we have to look at because what’s important is this club continues to survive and play.”
Derby City Council are in talks over a deal to buy the stadium.
Kirchner does not want to deal with Morris on the ground and would prefer the Council bought it. Negotiations to purchase the stadium are ongoing although Kirchner’s period of exclusivity to buy the club is due to expire this weekend.
Council leader Chris Poulter told Derbyshire Live: “I am not involved in the negotiations but officers from finance, property, business and legal teams are working on it.
“We are waiting to see what
comes out from it. As far as the timescales go, we are aware there is a period of exclusivity regarding Chris Kirchner but there is a potential for the administrators to extend that.”
Rooney says there have been positive meetings this week as Kirchner’s takeover of the Rams edges closer.
Kirchner has flown in. He was at the training ground on Thursday and he will be at today’s game against the Bluebirds.
“It has been great having Chris here last few days, I know he will be here for a few more days as well,” said Rooney.
“I know there have been discussions taking place with the EFL, all really positive.
“I have had meetings with Chris, which have been great. Myself and Chris have both met the landlord of the training ground (Moor Farm), which has been really good, that is a real positive as well.
“So there are things moving forward, which is good to see, and the last stumbling block is the stadium.”
Meanwhile, Rooney says talented youngster Malcolm Ebiowei wants to stay at the Rams and help the club move forward
The 18-year-old has impressed since breaking into the first team and has started the last 10 games.
Ebiowei is one of the many players who are out of contract this summer and Kirchner’s proposed takeover needs to be given the green light before new deals can be offered.
Asked about Ebiowei’s future, Rooney said: “He wants to stay at this football club.
“He wants to be here. He knows from his previous two clubs there has been a lot of trust put into Malcolm, a lot of responsibility, and I think what is important in order for him to develop as a player he is in the right hands, getting the right coaching.
“He wants to be here, he wants to learn and he wants to try and help this club move forward.”
Asked when the club will be in a position to put new contract offers to players, Rooney said: “The EFL want to see a club that has a stadium to play in, and as I said the stadium is the last stumbling block and so in order for me to do that with players we need to get it done.
“I know exactly what players we want here, what players we want to bring in.
“Numbers wise that is up to Chris and his team to speak to the players to get the right numbers. We know where we want to get to and how we want to do it, we are just waiting for this last issue to be resolved.
“There have been discussions with players I have had, and the players want to be here, they want to play for this football club, they want to play for me as a manager, which is a real positive for myself and the staff but ultimately in football you need to put something in front of them. We are hoping we can do that real soon.”
What about the possibility of departures? Rooney added: “We have to be realistic, there probably will be two or three players who will leave the club.
“That is something I am still making decisions on now because what these players have given me, every one of them, is attitude, determination, character and loyalty. It is tough to make those decisions but they are decisions as manager you have to make.”