FFP, Academy and David Clowes plea after big Derby County ownership update

David Clowes after Derby County secured promotion to the Championship
-Credit: (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)


News that Derby County owner David Clowes is looking for investment into the club to help them build as a Championship force has been met with a mixed response from Rams supporters.

The club are seeking further investment to help them compete in the Championship, according to a report in the The Telegraph that says owner, Clowes, has held talks with a number of interested parties from around the world and could be "open to selling 80 per cent of his shareholding to a serious and proper party".

Talks are understood to have already taken place with non-domestic investors, but no deal is imminent with the club currently funded for this season and the next two under the current business plan. That does give Clowes time to assess the suitability of interested parties but manager Paul Warne said stories about the club's investment search won't distract him.

READ MORE:Crisis-hit Reading open Derby County door to aid Paul Warne transfer plan

READ MORE:Every word Paul Warne said on Norwich, investment and 'real excitement' at Derby County

The news was a surprise to some fans, but also for some, an expected development that looks to safeguard the club after the initial rescue act from the Rams very own local knight in shining armour. Here's what they had to say...

beaufort1

It’s been common knowledge from day one that if the club hadn’t been days away from ceasing to exist David Clowes would not be the owner of Derby County now.

If his desire had ever been to own Derby County he could have negotiated with Mel Morris before administration became a reality.

Even if he decided to go back to being a supporter, instead of an owner, then who could deny him his wish? He has done a fantastic job in ensuring that we have a club to watch every week so whatever he decides to do is fine by me. I’m sure that when he sells he will do his best to make sure that the new owner is right for the club.

grabbags

The majority of fans would have been much happier if the statement had said I'm in it long-term, that it will take five seasons to build for promotion push and have the academy players coming through, so please stick with us. Generally, investors add more problems than they solve. Having one owner usually works best. It possibly is a case of no news is good news.

David Clowes after Derby County secured promotion to the Championship
David Clowes after Derby County secured promotion to the Championship -Credit:MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Doink

FFP, is it working, maybe not as the EFL would have like I guess, take Formula 1 and their budget cap, regardless of how much income you generate through sponsorship you are only allowed to spend x amount per season, I believe that to be $135m, any surplus cash from sponsorship goes into the teams bank, no team is losing money now, none half folded since the budget cap, this has also bought the teams closer together in terms of performance and even the worst performing teams values have rocketed well into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

There was a lot of push back from the richer better funded teams who didn't want their wings clipped but even they now see the benefit of the budget cap. Does football need a similar budget cap instead of FFP?

Cleddens

I suppose there is not enough patience around any longer. The material demands are overwhelming and gradual progress, one step forward at a time, is rarely tolerated, either on the terraces or in the board room.

So my preference, to invest mostly in the academy and local young talent whilst endeavouring to maintain a place in the Championship awaiting the day when the first team squad is homegrown is not likely to materialise.

mdcarr

If as reported, Clowes is prepared to sell down 80% of the football club then the ground and club won't be in common ownership unless he's prepared to sell down the ownership of the ground to the same people. An 80% sell down also means he loses control and as Chairman is a PR figurehead.

What investor do you think Derby need? Have your say HERE