comment by FinlandRam (U3621)
posted 44 minutes ago
Revealed: The truth of the chaos that engulfed Derby County – and how they plan to bounce back
With Derby playing their first game in the third tier on Saturday buoyed by optimism and hope, we detail the club's remarkable turnaround
The full extent of Derby County's financial meltdown can be revealed as the club prepare to launch a new era under lifelong fan David Clowes.
Derby play their first game of the new season against Oxford United on Saturday, their first in the third tier of English football since 1986, against a backdrop of cautious optimism and renewed hope.
Eleven new players have arrived and over 16,000 season tickets have been sold, a remarkable turnaround for a club that was teetering on the brink of oblivion as little as five weeks ago.
Telegraph Sport can disclose startling new details about the chaos that engulfed Derby, including:
- Debts to HMRC exceeded a staggering £35million, which will finally be paid back next month;
-Wayne Rooney missed the first full week of training before his shock resignation;
-The EFL has imposed a strict business plan which means the club's spending cannot surpass £8m-a-season for the next two years.
Clowes and his firm, Clowes Developments, are now targeting a substantial rebuilding job after completing their £52m takeover on July 1.
Stability, integrity and progress are the three watchwords, plus transparent communication with supporters. While the obvious target will be a swift return to the Championship, Derby are determined to introduce sustainable and measured long-term planning, and a sound infrastructure.
Under the Football League’s business plan they can only sign free agents or loan players and cannot pay more than £12,000-a-week in wages, which includes bonuses and National Insurance. However, players including Conor Hourihane, Tom Barkhuizen and James Chester all rejected more lucrative offers elsewhere to join Derby.
In the dressing room, there is a sense that this is the start of an exciting new journey. With Rooney resigning last month, there is also a feeling that despite his impressive work under such chaotic circumstances, Derby can rebuild under the radar and away from the spotlight.
Rooney was worn down by the constant firefighting and was absent for nearly all of the first full week of pre-season training at Moor Farm as he considered his future.
When he reported on the Friday he informed administrators Quantuma and Derby’s chief executive Stephen Pearce that he was stepping down.
Rooney’s former assistant, Liam Rosenior, will be given a chance to earn the job on a permanent basis and is desperate to play his part in Derby’s revival. Pride Park will be sold out for the visit of Oxford on Saturday.
“I can’t wait for the atmosphere and feeling in the stadium, and we are in a really good place to repay those supporters,” said Rosenior. “It’s my job to make sure we go out every game and give everything, and make sure the fans enjoy watching us.”
Clowes, who stood on the old Baseball Ground terraces as a child, is reluctant to create any more upheaval and is focusing on clearing up the mess he inherited.
HMRC are owed an eye-watering £35 million, a bill that will be settled next month in one lump sum after a deal was negotiated. It will not be for the full amount but is still a significant debt cleared.
Around £20m was paid back to MSD, the American private investment company, and £5m is still outstanding to Arsenal on two transfer instalments for record signing Krystian Bielik.
Derby will make the first payment in late August before the final amount is settled next year. Bielik, the Poland international, is Derby’s highest earner and likely to leave as he wants to play at this year’s World Cup.
Academy decimated over last two years
While 11 staff members were made redundant and around 15 resigned during the nine months of administration, the collateral damage of Derby’s financial problems was the club’s revered academy.
Advertisement
It has been completely decimated over the last two years, with homegrown players such as Jayden Bogle, Max Lowe, Kaide Gordon, Omari Kellyman, Dylan Williams, Morgan Whittaker, Luke Plange and Kain Ryan all being sold.
Three under-15s were sold to Manchester United for a tiny sum, to provide cash-flow at a critical time. Malcolm Ebiowei was sold to Crystal Palace last month despite Derby offering the teenage attacker a lucrative new deal. Palace offered just £30,000 so the dispute will go to a tribunal.
Republic of Ireland under-21 winger Festy Ebosele also signed for Udinese, with Derby receiving about £290,000 in training compensation when he officially registered on July 1.
Derby estimate it could take up to five years to rebuild the academy but that is one of the primary objectives for Clowes. Maintaining the club’s Category One status is imperative.
Relations with the Football League are now vastly improved, following the frequent disputes with former owner Mel Morris, and club staff are confident that season ticket sales will top 17,000 soon.
This may have been the most tortuous period in their 138-year history, but most Derby supporters are just thankful there is still a club to support this weekend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Excellent read Fin - and you wrote it all yourself
Worcs 176/9 still requiring another 113 runs.
Anuj Dal gets five wickets to go with his 50 + 100 runs.
Derbyshire beat Worcs by 99 runs.
Cricket is going mad. We were 36/6 on the first morning and still won handsomely. Leicestershire scored over 550 runs in the first innings last week and lost by an innings.
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 6 minutes ago
Cricket is going mad. We were 36/6 on the first morning and still won handsomely. Leicestershire scored over 550 runs in the first innings last week and lost by an innings.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the other side of the DCCC coin, we declared twice at Hove and lost.
Momentum building that Bielik is on his way out. Sounds like a loan deal, Birmingham City have shown interest but, if true, Galatasary seems to be the destination.
I'd have liked someone of his quality to stay but when he has a 'slight knock 'during close season and always linked with a move away , it's probably the best outcome.
Once momentum builds it can become an unstoppable force as we all know. It's a shame but sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on. I doubt this is how he envisaged his career progressing when he arrived.
I thinks he's an unaffordable luxury at this level............. and always one tweak away from 12 months out.
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
posted about 2 hours ago
Momentum building that Bielik is on his way out. Sounds like a loan deal, Birmingham City have shown interest but, if true, Galatasary seems to be the destination.
I'd have liked someone of his quality to stay but when he has a 'slight knock 'during close season and always linked with a move away , it's probably the best outcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If he goes we can probably save money by ending the contract of one of the medical team. I think we can all agree that he hasn't been the success we hoped for.
Nice try at a wind up Vidal but I can't be bothered to respond to your deliberate mangling of the laws of physics.
Watford credited with an interest in our Polish wall too.
Observation on Bielik - My take when we signed him was he wasn't what was required and far too expensive given our financial situation was becoming too obvious. Didn't make the type of impression that Gorgeous George did and I think it was a slow build up to showing his true quality.
Was he originally playing in defence under Cocu?
Started showing his quality when the first dreaded CL injury kicked in. Returned far too soon in my opinion but his return at this point (I think?) galvanized his Polish mate, Jozwiak to show his best form. Bielik's sudden return and breakdown came as no surprise but it was incredibly disappointing and a major threat to his career.
His second return was marked by THAT GOAL against Reading and that really was it looking back. Certainly missed when not in the side but when compared to other DMs, If you could pick between a fit George Thorne and Bielik I'd have to go for Thorne for his quality on the ball.
Definitely agree with that Desi. I would choose Gorgeous over Bielik every time.
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
His second return was marked by THAT GOAL against Reading ........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I missing something here, Desi, or do you mean Brum?
Great quality commenting on here. Top stuff all round
Owd Spart "not bothering to respond" and yet not being able to resist responding.
Derby apparently interested in Tommy Smith. Now that IS experience!! Would have thought he might be a tad too old though …
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
His second return was marked by THAT GOAL against Reading ........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I missing something here, Desi, or do you mean Brum?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I do. Typo! Cheers Scouse.
Fin - He's been with Middlesbrough for their past 5 friendlies and I believe they've announced his signing.
I wouldn't mind Tommy Smith the winger that joined us from Watford ( I think? ) The twenty-something version not the mid 40s version he'll be now.
comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 20 minutes ago
Owd Spart "not bothering to respond" and yet not being able to resist responding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd recently started watching The Office (US) having hated it originally I really enjoyed the show and went on what the kids these days call 'a Netflix binge' of watching it.
Anyway......the Jim and Dwight relationship is what I see between Vidal and Spart.
Wonder which one is Dwight?
We have a Match Thread.
We have a lot of shouty people with season tickets.
We have a Club
Vidal and Spart are both in the top ten or so most intelligent and erudite posters on here so always entertaining.
Reminiscent of the old ding-dongs between 666 and Vidal.
Hi, Heb xx
Hope everything is comfortable at the homestead
comment by Catalanaram (U3413)
posted less than a minute ago
Hi, Heb xx
Hope everything is comfortable at the homestead
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What homestead! 🙁
comment by 🏴 HebridesRam (U2909)
posted less than a minute ago
comment by Catalanaram (U3413)
posted less than a minute ago
Hi, Heb xx
Hope everything is comfortable at the homestead
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What homestead! 🙁
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, Castle!
Sign in if you want to comment
Derby County 1 - 0 Oxford United
Page 2 of 20
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
posted on 28/7/22
comment by FinlandRam (U3621)
posted 44 minutes ago
Revealed: The truth of the chaos that engulfed Derby County – and how they plan to bounce back
With Derby playing their first game in the third tier on Saturday buoyed by optimism and hope, we detail the club's remarkable turnaround
The full extent of Derby County's financial meltdown can be revealed as the club prepare to launch a new era under lifelong fan David Clowes.
Derby play their first game of the new season against Oxford United on Saturday, their first in the third tier of English football since 1986, against a backdrop of cautious optimism and renewed hope.
Eleven new players have arrived and over 16,000 season tickets have been sold, a remarkable turnaround for a club that was teetering on the brink of oblivion as little as five weeks ago.
Telegraph Sport can disclose startling new details about the chaos that engulfed Derby, including:
- Debts to HMRC exceeded a staggering £35million, which will finally be paid back next month;
-Wayne Rooney missed the first full week of training before his shock resignation;
-The EFL has imposed a strict business plan which means the club's spending cannot surpass £8m-a-season for the next two years.
Clowes and his firm, Clowes Developments, are now targeting a substantial rebuilding job after completing their £52m takeover on July 1.
Stability, integrity and progress are the three watchwords, plus transparent communication with supporters. While the obvious target will be a swift return to the Championship, Derby are determined to introduce sustainable and measured long-term planning, and a sound infrastructure.
Under the Football League’s business plan they can only sign free agents or loan players and cannot pay more than £12,000-a-week in wages, which includes bonuses and National Insurance. However, players including Conor Hourihane, Tom Barkhuizen and James Chester all rejected more lucrative offers elsewhere to join Derby.
In the dressing room, there is a sense that this is the start of an exciting new journey. With Rooney resigning last month, there is also a feeling that despite his impressive work under such chaotic circumstances, Derby can rebuild under the radar and away from the spotlight.
Rooney was worn down by the constant firefighting and was absent for nearly all of the first full week of pre-season training at Moor Farm as he considered his future.
When he reported on the Friday he informed administrators Quantuma and Derby’s chief executive Stephen Pearce that he was stepping down.
Rooney’s former assistant, Liam Rosenior, will be given a chance to earn the job on a permanent basis and is desperate to play his part in Derby’s revival. Pride Park will be sold out for the visit of Oxford on Saturday.
“I can’t wait for the atmosphere and feeling in the stadium, and we are in a really good place to repay those supporters,” said Rosenior. “It’s my job to make sure we go out every game and give everything, and make sure the fans enjoy watching us.”
Clowes, who stood on the old Baseball Ground terraces as a child, is reluctant to create any more upheaval and is focusing on clearing up the mess he inherited.
HMRC are owed an eye-watering £35 million, a bill that will be settled next month in one lump sum after a deal was negotiated. It will not be for the full amount but is still a significant debt cleared.
Around £20m was paid back to MSD, the American private investment company, and £5m is still outstanding to Arsenal on two transfer instalments for record signing Krystian Bielik.
Derby will make the first payment in late August before the final amount is settled next year. Bielik, the Poland international, is Derby’s highest earner and likely to leave as he wants to play at this year’s World Cup.
Academy decimated over last two years
While 11 staff members were made redundant and around 15 resigned during the nine months of administration, the collateral damage of Derby’s financial problems was the club’s revered academy.
Advertisement
It has been completely decimated over the last two years, with homegrown players such as Jayden Bogle, Max Lowe, Kaide Gordon, Omari Kellyman, Dylan Williams, Morgan Whittaker, Luke Plange and Kain Ryan all being sold.
Three under-15s were sold to Manchester United for a tiny sum, to provide cash-flow at a critical time. Malcolm Ebiowei was sold to Crystal Palace last month despite Derby offering the teenage attacker a lucrative new deal. Palace offered just £30,000 so the dispute will go to a tribunal.
Republic of Ireland under-21 winger Festy Ebosele also signed for Udinese, with Derby receiving about £290,000 in training compensation when he officially registered on July 1.
Derby estimate it could take up to five years to rebuild the academy but that is one of the primary objectives for Clowes. Maintaining the club’s Category One status is imperative.
Relations with the Football League are now vastly improved, following the frequent disputes with former owner Mel Morris, and club staff are confident that season ticket sales will top 17,000 soon.
This may have been the most tortuous period in their 138-year history, but most Derby supporters are just thankful there is still a club to support this weekend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Excellent read Fin - and you wrote it all yourself
posted on 28/7/22
Worcs 176/9 still requiring another 113 runs.
Anuj Dal gets five wickets to go with his 50 + 100 runs.
posted on 28/7/22
Too kind View ...
posted on 28/7/22
Derbyshire beat Worcs by 99 runs.
posted on 28/7/22
*98 runs
posted on 28/7/22
Cricket is going mad. We were 36/6 on the first morning and still won handsomely. Leicestershire scored over 550 runs in the first innings last week and lost by an innings.
posted on 28/7/22
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 6 minutes ago
Cricket is going mad. We were 36/6 on the first morning and still won handsomely. Leicestershire scored over 550 runs in the first innings last week and lost by an innings.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the other side of the DCCC coin, we declared twice at Hove and lost.
posted on 28/7/22
Momentum building that Bielik is on his way out. Sounds like a loan deal, Birmingham City have shown interest but, if true, Galatasary seems to be the destination.
I'd have liked someone of his quality to stay but when he has a 'slight knock 'during close season and always linked with a move away , it's probably the best outcome.
posted on 28/7/22
Once momentum builds it can become an unstoppable force as we all know. It's a shame but sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on. I doubt this is how he envisaged his career progressing when he arrived.
posted on 28/7/22
I thinks he's an unaffordable luxury at this level............. and always one tweak away from 12 months out.
posted on 28/7/22
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
posted about 2 hours ago
Momentum building that Bielik is on his way out. Sounds like a loan deal, Birmingham City have shown interest but, if true, Galatasary seems to be the destination.
I'd have liked someone of his quality to stay but when he has a 'slight knock 'during close season and always linked with a move away , it's probably the best outcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If he goes we can probably save money by ending the contract of one of the medical team. I think we can all agree that he hasn't been the success we hoped for.
Nice try at a wind up Vidal but I can't be bothered to respond to your deliberate mangling of the laws of physics.
posted on 28/7/22
Watford credited with an interest in our Polish wall too.
Observation on Bielik - My take when we signed him was he wasn't what was required and far too expensive given our financial situation was becoming too obvious. Didn't make the type of impression that Gorgeous George did and I think it was a slow build up to showing his true quality.
Was he originally playing in defence under Cocu?
Started showing his quality when the first dreaded CL injury kicked in. Returned far too soon in my opinion but his return at this point (I think?) galvanized his Polish mate, Jozwiak to show his best form. Bielik's sudden return and breakdown came as no surprise but it was incredibly disappointing and a major threat to his career.
His second return was marked by THAT GOAL against Reading and that really was it looking back. Certainly missed when not in the side but when compared to other DMs, If you could pick between a fit George Thorne and Bielik I'd have to go for Thorne for his quality on the ball.
posted on 28/7/22
Definitely agree with that Desi. I would choose Gorgeous over Bielik every time.
posted on 28/7/22
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
His second return was marked by THAT GOAL against Reading ........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I missing something here, Desi, or do you mean Brum?
posted on 28/7/22
Great quality commenting on here. Top stuff all round
posted on 28/7/22
Owd Spart "not bothering to respond" and yet not being able to resist responding.
posted on 28/7/22
Derby apparently interested in Tommy Smith. Now that IS experience!! Would have thought he might be a tad too old though …
posted on 28/7/22
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
His second return was marked by THAT GOAL against Reading ........
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I missing something here, Desi, or do you mean Brum?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I do. Typo! Cheers Scouse.
Fin - He's been with Middlesbrough for their past 5 friendlies and I believe they've announced his signing.
I wouldn't mind Tommy Smith the winger that joined us from Watford ( I think? ) The twenty-something version not the mid 40s version he'll be now.
posted on 28/7/22
comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 20 minutes ago
Owd Spart "not bothering to respond" and yet not being able to resist responding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd recently started watching The Office (US) having hated it originally I really enjoyed the show and went on what the kids these days call 'a Netflix binge' of watching it.
Anyway......the Jim and Dwight relationship is what I see between Vidal and Spart.
Wonder which one is Dwight?
posted on 28/7/22
We have a Match Thread.
We have a lot of shouty people with season tickets.
We have a Club
posted on 28/7/22
Vidal and Spart are both in the top ten or so most intelligent and erudite posters on here so always entertaining.
Reminiscent of the old ding-dongs between 666 and Vidal.
posted on 28/7/22
Hello Cat 🐏🏴
posted on 28/7/22
Hi, Heb xx
Hope everything is comfortable at the homestead
posted on 28/7/22
comment by Catalanaram (U3413)
posted less than a minute ago
Hi, Heb xx
Hope everything is comfortable at the homestead
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What homestead! 🙁
posted on 28/7/22
comment by 🏴 HebridesRam (U2909)
posted less than a minute ago
comment by Catalanaram (U3413)
posted less than a minute ago
Hi, Heb xx
Hope everything is comfortable at the homestead
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What homestead! 🙁
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, Castle!
Page 2 of 20
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10