Derby County appear to have a lifeline as Clowes Development have purchased Pride Park from former owner Mel Morris - with the company also issuing the Rams a short-term loan to keep the club running, according to The Telegraph's John Percy.

Clowes Development, run by lifelong County fan David Clowes, will also submit an official bid later today for the club after already acquiring the stadium.

It comes after it was revealed by Percy on Thursday evening that Clowes was undergoing the EFL's ownership and directors test to determine whether he could takeover the club, who have been in administration for nine months.

 

 

 

 

The right to acquire the stricken League One outfit comes after previous preferred bidder Chris Kirchner pulled out of the running once again when his financial transfer to purchase the Rams failed to materialise.

Now, Clowes could finally be the man to save the club following nearly a year of turmoil both on and off the pitch.

In a statement issued by Clowes Developments - via Capital News - Clowes confirmed that he has issued a loan to the club to help them start building for the 2022-23 season, as well as pay the June salaries, and has stated that he is 'delighted' to play a part in delivering some positive news to County's fanbase.

The Verdict

This is a major step in the right direction for Derby - although we've been here before.

The one big positive though is that Clowes is not Kirchner, and that is meant in the sense that he is a proper fan of the club and that has been backed up by sections of the County supporter base.

And the fact that Clowes has issued a loan to the club whilst he sorts an official bid to submit to Quantuma shows that he is serious about this and that he now looks to be the saviour they need.

Buying Pride Park is the first big step in the deal - now the other half should merely be a formality from what we now know.