Rival clubs are driving for Derby County to be kicked out of the English Football League if they fail to find a buyer, as per Alan Nixon.

As per Nixon, EFL Chief Executive Officer Trevor Birch is facing pressure to expel the Rams from "many of the other 71 members".

It emerged over the weekend that the EFL were set to take a more active role in the takeover process, with Birch set to meet with the Rams' administrators, Quantuma, and personally intervene in the takeover process due to concerns over how long a deal was taking to get done.

Nixon reports that club's pushing for them to be kicked out of the EFL are the reason the league CEO went personally looking for answers, but, also revealed that the meeting was called off after news of his proposed visit leaked.

The feeling against Derby among the EFL members is said to be strong due to "past offences", with Nixon claiming that members object to the Rams failing to pay their bills and taxes - something that the other clubs have had to do.

Derby County are said to have hoped that playing their football in Sky Bet League Two would be the worst-case scenario, but that is now not an option, as per Nixon's report.

The Verdict

After what happened at Bury, you hoped lessons would be learned, but it really feels like crunch time with regards to Derby County's takeover now.

For the sake of the club's fans, staff, and players, you hope a resolution to this mess can be found sooner rather than later.

If a solution does not arise, it does not sound as though Derby's fellow EFL members have much sympathy for the Rams.

Being ejected from the EFL would be a catastrophic blow for the football club given their size,

Let's hope it does not come to that, or anything close.