“I sensed something special” – David Clowes issues message to Derby County supporters

Derby County has made it to the Championship after a few difficult years off the field.

After convincingly defeating Carlisle United, who had already been demoted, the Rams secured their spot in the second division for the upcoming campaign. Goals from Max Bird and James Collins in each half caused exuberant scenes at Pride Park when the final whistle blew.

But if it weren’t for the efforts of one individual, who prevented the club from closing, those festivities might not have been possible.

Derby County’s Paul Warne has issued an emotional goodbye to midfielder Max Bird following his goal and Derby’s promotion to the Championship

David Clowes’ Derby County takeover

After Mel Morris became the club’s owner in September 2021, it was revealed that the team had entered administration. The Rams were also docked 12 points for breaking EFL accounting regulations, and another 9 points for the same offense.

Under Wayne Rooney, Derby could not escape relegation to League One; nevertheless, the next season they were able to bring an end to an exciting eighteen months at Pride Park.

After Clowes bought the stadium at the end of June, Quantuma, the club’s administrators, approved his proposal and gave him preferred bidder status.

The administrators declared that Derby would not lose any further points since Clowes’ offer conformed with EFL insolvency regulations. July 1st finally saw the confirmation of the transaction and the club’s release from administration; the 55-year-old allegedly paid £55 million to finalize the takeover.

David Clowes issues emotional message to Derby County supporters

Paul Warne and his team made sure the same mistakes were not repeated by securing the final automatic promotion spot on the last day to win their record points total. They had almost missed the play-off spots the previous season.

After two seasons out, the Rams knew a point would be enough to guarantee their spot back in the Championship; they finished five points ahead of the third-place Bolton Wanderers.

It emphasizes even more the club’s incredible recovery, considering that it was on the verge of going out of business when Clowes acquired the East Midlands team.

And following a memorable season, the Rams’ owner sent a message to fans via the Derby County website.

Clowes began, “I felt something extraordinary was developing at Pride Park.”

“Even though we weren’t quite close enough, I thought we were already so close that I couldn’t be too dejected in the face of that setback. It was only a matter of nurturing the seeds of potential success.

“That’s why the happiness of being promoted back to the Championship feels so very wonderful now that those seeds have grown.”

“This season did indeed have its share of gloomy moments. As supporters of Derby County, we should all be well aware that nothing genuinely worthwhile comes easily!

“But in the face of the inevitable difficulties we experienced, we stayed strong as a club, players, staff, and supporters all shoulder to shoulder, and we pulled through it together.”

“One of the deciding factors behind our decision to buy the club was the thought that Derby fans and generations of Derby fans to come might be deprived of moments like this, when all the bad times are forgotten for a moment of precious joy,” Clowes continued in his explanation of his decision to purchase the team two years ago.

Thank goodness for Clowes’ quick intervention two years ago, as many Derby supporters might not have been able to appreciate something as great as the repayment of a man’s faith after Derby came so close to liquidation.

Even though the Rams have had a lot of heroes on the field this season, their greatest one was probably sitting in the seats.

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