It is “a minute to midnight” in the battle to save Derby County, according to Fans Group Black and White Together after a dramatic weekend that saw Chris Kirchner’s possible takeover collapse and Mike Ashley re-emerge as a potential saviour.
The EFL released an incendiary statement on Sunday saying they were “increasingly concerned” with the “ongoing delays” in the sale of the club. They added that they pose a risk to the integrity of the competition.
The league is revising the conditions given to Derby’s administrators Quantuma and will now be party to all discussions between them and possible bidders.
It comes after the deadline for preferred bidder Kirchner to complete the purchase of the club passed, prompting his exclusivity to expire and discussions to resume with other interested parties.
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Quantuma released their own statement on Saturday saying they did not discriminate against any bid.
Ashley remains extremely interested, has the funds to complete a deal quickly and would install former Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley to run the club. It’s understood he wants to keep Wayne Rooney in charge.
Former Derby chairman Andy Appleby is a rival bidder and it’s understood there are two other interested parties. Kirchner also remains determined to complete the transaction, despite missing Friday’s 5pm deadline.
The club have just five contracted players and Rooney’s assistant Liam Rosenoir could yet depart for Blackpool, where he is one of the candidates for their managerial vacancy.
Derby fan group Black and White Together have been in touch with all parties interested in bidding – barring the Ashley camp – and have also been in contact with Quantuma, on and off, through the process.
They believe time is running out for the club as they call for a “credible, legitimate” bidder to be allowed to take the club forward.
“We are concerned about liquidation, it’s been an ever-present concern since this all began,” spokesman Mike Rothon told i.
“The fixtures are out in 11 days so it is effectively 11.59pm for the club. It needs to be resolved without delay.
“The EFL’s intervention shows that it shares our concerns as a group with the way the process has been handled.
“The ideal situation for this week is that a credible and legitimate bidder is allowed to take us forward, be this Ashley, Kirchner, Appleby or any named other party. The main concern right now is ensuring Derby County survives.”
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