Derby County are currently owned by lifelong supporter David Clowes after he saved the club from administration in 2022. Through Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, the Rams have been on the path to recovering from a rocky few years.
The East Midlands club were faced with months of uncertainty as former owner Mel Morris triggered the administration process in 2021. With administration team Quantuma at the helm, cost-cutting measures were put in place to ensure survival until a bidder had arrived.
There were several failed takeover attempts during this period, until Clowes arrived and brought Derby out of administration.
When did David Clowes become the owner of Derby?
David Clowes confirmed the takeover of Derby County in July 2022, ending the club’s administration after ten months. The total price of the club and its debt is believed to have cost the businessman in the region of £55million.
Speaking about the takeover in July 2023, Clowes told the Telegraph: “The club was on life support. If it had been any other business, you’d have walked away. It was in such a state. I honestly believe that if we hadn’t done the deal on July 1 the club would have gone in another five days.
“There was no money left to pay the wages. It was the end of the road, as simple as that. The Football League were losing patience and there were all the added pressures of the season starting a week early because of the World Cup in Qatar. It was a very worrying time.”
How much is David Clowes worth?
David Clowes re-entered the Sunday Times Rich List for 2023, with claims that the businessman had a net worth of £350million. Much of this comes from his business, Clowes Development, which looks at property investment and development.