Derby County: David Clowes to make bid for Rams after purchasing Pride Park

Local property developer David Clowes says he will make a bid to buy Derby County on Friday after purchasing the League One club's Pride Park stadium.

Clowes' attempt to take Derby out of administration comes after Chris Kirchner withdrew his bid on 13 June.

"With a deadline looming and the start of the next season getting closer, we needed to do something," he said.

Clowes said a formal bid for the club will be submitted later on Friday, a week after Pride Park was bought from Derby's former owner Mel Morris.

The purchase of the ground, which has previously caused major problems with attempts to sell the club, had been kept confidential until the loan agreement had been completed.

The English Football League welcomed the "acquisition" and that Clowes Development would be submitting a bid for the club.

"Over the last two weeks the EFL has met daily with the joint administrators, Quantuma, as they continue their efforts to sell the club, and is now working closely with all parties to ensure they recognise the importance of compliance with the league's Regulations and Insolvency Policy with the objective of securing the club's exit from administration," said a statement.

"The League has already commenced the process in respect of its Owners and Directors' Test, as well as an assessment of the ultimate source and sufficiency of funding to support the proposed business plan for the club."

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Quantuma said the loan would allow the Rams to continue to trade and added that "they look forward to continuing positive discussions" about the takeover.

"All parties recognise the need to conclude a sale of the business and assets of the club, as a matter of urgency," the administrators added in a statement.

'Inconceivable'

Clowes said buying the stadium "seemed the obvious first step" to help rescue the club, which was relegated to League One under manager Wayne Rooney at the end of a chaotic season of uncertainty.

"As a proud Derby supporter, it was inconceivable to me that the club was at risk of falling away," the 53-year-old continued.

"We've worked tirelessly behind the scenes on the stadium purchase and loan agreement to be able to get the club going again in time for the next season.

"Players, staff and fans needed some good news, and we are delighted to play a part in delivering that."

Former Derby chairman Andy Appleby last week entered a bid for the club, while former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has also remained interested in the Rams.

Clowes, however, is the first interested buyer to put money into the club to keep them afloat in the 275 days since Derby were placed into administration by Morris on 22 September 2021.

There had been promises from US businessman Kirchner that he would provide funding while still negotiating a takeover, but he failed to pay the club's wages for May before his attempted purchase fell through and plunged Derby's future into renewed uncertainty.

Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd - a company based in the Derbyshire village of Ednaston, with assets worth a reported £300m - have provided the money to keep the 138-year-old club trading, but rebuilding the Rams will be a significant task if the takeover goes through.

Derby are scheduled to start pre-season training on Monday, but with only five first-team players under contract for next season. The quintet does not include a goalkeeper or any defenders.

Restrictions placed on the Rams while in administration include a transfer embargo, which has left manager Rooney unable to sign new players, nor able to offer fresh deals to those he already has.

Despite the challenges and uncertainty, Rooney has remained at Derby.

England and Manchester United's all-time leading goal-scorer, who ended his illustrious playing career at Derby in January 2021 to take his first job in management, has previously stated he intends to help rebuild the club.

However, his desire to stay at Pride Park was linked to Kirchner getting his deal done.

Even though Kirchner pulled out last week, the 36-year-old remains at the club, with Clowes' involvement the latest development of a long-running saga.

Failed attempts by previous owner Morris to sell the Rams in recent years saw the club placed into administration, with the "severe impact" of the coronavirus pandemic on Derby's finances given as the reason for doing so.

Figures from Derby's joint administrators, Quantuma, last month revealed that HM Revenue and Customs' total claim for unpaid taxes had risen to £36m from £28m.

The club also owes finance company MSD £24m, while Quantuma themselves accumulated costs of £2.1m in the first six months of administration.

'A hugely significant step' - Analysis

Natalie Jackson, BBC East Midlands Today sports editor

For nearly a year now, Derby County fans and the club's staff have lived with so much uncertainty so the news today comes as a huge relief.

In 20 years of covering Derby County's fortunes, I've never known a period of greater uncertainty or chaos - with botched takeovers, transfer embargoes, points deductions and a relegation.

There have been so many false dawns and promises but finally somebody with strong locals links and a proven business acumen has invested in the club.

This is a hugely significant step forward but the key now is a full takeover so the stadium can be back in the hands of the club and the re-building process can genuinely begin.

What we do know now is Derby has the money to start the season and now the process begins for restrictions being lifted and the club to start buying players.