Neville: Put rules in place to stop this
GARY Neville says Derby County’s decision to enter into administration is “devastating”.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville, former Manchester United team-mate of Rams manager Wayne Rooney, said: “I think it is the biggest news tonight that a club like Derby has gone into administration.
“It is devastating. It is another blow and we have got to stop this happening.
“I think when owners come into football clubs there should be an obligation to be able to cover their obligations they sign up to.
“Until they have that in place then we are going to have big trouble and continue to and examples like Derby are going to keep coming forward. We have had Bury, Macclesfield, Derby, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.
“All these clubs, it has got to stop – and I know there has been a fan-led review that has been led by (Conservative MP) Tracy Crouch.
“She has put recommendations forward and (outgoing Culture Secretary) Oliver Dowden has said he was going to support those - Nadine Dorries (Dowden’s replacement) has just taken over and we need to hear from her that she will support them.
“To put an independent regulator in place, to change rules in English football to stop this happening.
“Derby are now in a perilous position.
“My home town club (Bury) was there three or four years ago and it has to stop.
“This has been the best start to a Premier League season I have seen, the highest quality I have ever seen.
“The fans back in the stadiums, the stadiums are wonderful. But there is a desperation and an urgency that goes beyond what would be sporting.
“You should be disappointed if you go down or don’t go up but not to the point where you lose your club.
“That’s what is happening, Derby have chased and chased and chased and they have not got the golden ticket.
“And now they may go out of business, that cannot happen to a football club and institution like Derby.”