Rams’ never-ending nightmare taking its toll on everyday employees
as His bid to buy Derby County was falling apart last week, Chris Kirchner was playing golf with ian Poulter and sergio Garcia. it was the perfect snapshot of the surreal, farcical and desperate times this club has experienced for more than a year. six days earlier, Kirchner — an american businessman who specialises in logistics — had told rams fans there was ‘nothing to be alarmed about’ after he missed a May 31 deadline to complete his takeover. Clearly, this was not the case. By Monday, Kirchner had withdrawn from the race. Derby have been in administration since september 22 and now the future of manager Wayne rooney, who had backed the Kirchner bid, is in doubt. if he is still in post when pre-season training begins later this month, as things stand he would have just five senior players under contract for the League One campaign ahead. administrators Quantuma have driven just about everyone wild with frustration at the length of time taken to conclude the deal. it is difficult to find people impressed with their handling of the matter. Now the eFL have taken greater control of proceedings, with the League One fixtures to be announced on thursday amid fears Derby will not be able to start the season. the uncertainty is dreadful for players and fans, yet it is even worse for ordinary employees, the vast majority of whom are not paid as well as the players yet still have just as great a stake in the business. they have seen friends and colleagues made redundant and had to continue working through constant uncertainty. ‘scrolling through social media and seeing it all does take its toll,’ said one employee. ‘it’s hard to read words like “liquidation”. You have friends and family messaging you saying, “Have you seen this?” or, “is this going to affect you?” People understandably become emotional and ask why they haven’t been updated.’ staff have bemoaned the lack of communication from Quantuma. they have been paid their wages throughout but, not surprisingly, morale has been — in the words of a former employee — ‘at an all-time low’. ‘there were tears when we found out people were leaving,’ they said. ‘Many people who work at Derby are fans. We had to be adaptable but people really care.’ rooney has enhanced his reputation despite suffering relegation in his first full season as a manager. Deductions totalling 21 points meant the former england captain was fighting an uphill battle throughout yet he continued to express optimism for the road ahead. in april, he
said: ‘I want to rebuild this club — but the takeover has to happen. If it doesn’t, I’m really unsure of my future and the club’s future. This takeover has to happen quick.’ Not only has the takeover dragged on, the man Rooney hoped would take control is now out of the picture. Former chairman Andy Appleby has submitted a bid and is in the frame along with Mike Ashley, the former Newcastle owner, and ex-Wolves chairman Steve Morgan. Whether Rooney would want to stay under changed circumstances is up for debate. If he left it would be another blow for workers who have had to bear such a huge burden. ‘He has been a shining light,’ says one long-serving staff member. ‘There have been so many instances where he could have walked away, but he didn’t. Despite how famous he is and what he has achieved, everyone feels able to go and talk to him.’
All anyone wants now is an end to the nightmare. It is the responsibility of the administrators, the EFL, the bidders and former owner Mel Morris to sit around a table and ensure their wish is granted. This great club has suffered enough.