Derby County have emerged from administration, down but not out. However, their transfer activity has led to some fans questioning why they are able to strengthen their squad. Why were Derby able to survive when clubs such as Bury were not? Bury were liquidated in 2019 when their former owner ended his funding of the club. In comparison, Derby have been on a signing spree since David Clowes bought the club from administrators Quantuma.
Have Derby County Been ‘Treated Differently’?
Balancing Act
The simple answer is no – it all comes down to money. Liquidation is a result of running out of money and therefore being unable to continue trading – this has never been the case at Derby. Quantuma were able to continually secure further funding to ensure wages were paid each month. This funding came at a cost to the first team, with players sold without the management’s say-so. Key players such as Phil Jagielka, Graeme Shinnie and Kamil Jozwiak left the club in the midst of the relegation battle. The administrators were also able to secure loans to keep the club running, however this ultimately added to the debts.
Quantuma also had to be creative with how they raised funds. For example, Liverpool bought out the sell-on clause for highly-rated youngster Kaide Gordon. The Derby County Academy product has featured a handful of times for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and so in the long-term, the sale of this clause for a reported £500,000 could prove to be a huge loss to the club.
Excl. Liverpool have bought out the sell on clause from Kaide Gordon’s transfer from Derby County. 🔴🤝 #LFC
Been told Liverpool & Derby County have agreed £500,000 for the removal of the 20% sell on clause which appeared in the original deal. pic.twitter.com/VOjRabyh6F
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 9, 2022
What About the Missed Deadlines?
It was widely reported on multiple occasions that Derby were missing deadlines, which fuelled talk of preferential treatment. In reality, these so-called deadlines at various points throughout the administration were never imposed by the EFL. These were in reference to deadlines imposed by Quantuma to potential bidders for various different reasons. These included deadlines for submitting bids, providing proof of funding or completing a deal.
As far as the EFL are concerned, their rules state that a member club cannot be in administration for more than 18 months, or cannot start two consecutive seasons in administration – whichever comes first. Derby entered administration under former owner Mel Morris in September 2021 and exited in June 2022, nine months later.
Big Name Signings
Opposing fans are raising questions as a result of the pedigree that Derby have been able to sign this window. A number of new signings have come through the door at Moor Farm, the most eye-catching of these being seasoned campaigners at higher levels in James Chester, Connor Hourihane and David McGoldrick.
In addition to players such as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Tom Barkhuizen and James Collins, the Rams look to have put themselves in a strong position for an immediate push back to the Championship. However, accusations that Derby are trying to buy the league are wide of the mark. All signings so far have been free transfers, and so no money has been spent on transfer fees.
New dawn 🐏🌅#DCFC pic.twitter.com/IrInRUDosm
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) July 2, 2022
On exiting administration, the new owners were required to agree to a strict two-year business plan to ensure a sustainable transition. This agreement includes a wage cap, and all signings must be ratified by the EFL. In short, the club is still under a microscope with regard to finances and player contracts.
Based on welcome interviews, the challenge of rebuilding a club the size of Derby County has been a key factor in the decision-making of a lot of the new signings. Several confirmed they received more lucrative offers from the Championship but were excited by the new era at Derby. The atmosphere created by the defiant Rams fans last season in the face of adversity is another factor – David McGoldrick specifically referenced experiencing a rocking Pride Park in the home win over his Sheffield United side last season as a selling point.
A Fresh Start
Derby fans have endured three seasons of transfer embargoes, resulting in just five senior players remaining at the club following relegation. This is the dawn of a new era, and they will be hoping all talk of finances is a thing of the past, and concentrate on rebuilding back to the Championship.
From there they will hope to continue the momentum and eventually get back to the Premier League.
