Derby County fans will forever feel indebted to David Clowes after the supporter turned owner in an attempt to save the club from the brink of non-existence.
The Rams were plunged into administration in September 2021 when former owner Mel Morris handed the keys in to the club.
Under the guidance of Quantuma, the Pride Park outfit were attempting to stay afloat in the Championship while fighting an existential battle away from the pitch.
While they failed on count one, with Wayne Rooney unable to steer the side clear of relegation after 21 points worth of deductions, they managed to survive on the other.
After nine months of pain, Clowes swooped in and purchased the club at the eleventh hour to stabilise the ship.
What has followed since is a whirlwind two years of rebuilding the team and earning promotion back to the second tier.
With part one of the rebuild out of the way, eyes are firmly fixed on what will follow for Derby under Paul Warne and the ownership.
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Derby County search for new investment
Early in his tenure, Clowes made it clear that he was open to investment when the time was right at Derby and it appears as though that could be now.
According to the Telegraph, the current owner is open to selling up to 80% of his stake in the club to bring some much-needed capital in the second tier.
Clowes is looking to sell to a “serious and proper party” but will hope to stay on as chairman if a deal is agreed.
The report claims that talks have been held with some interested parties, though no negotiations are underway or close to completion.
There are no suggestions that Clowes is struggling financially, with the search for investment always part of the plan in the public domain.
It comes as an ownership update that’s full of positivity rather than the negativity many fans suffered with a few years ago.
Derby need investment but must act sensibly
The return to the Championship has shown the huge task at hand for Derby, competing with squads often worth multiple times their own.
As such, investment is clearly needed but must be in line with a club that is run sustainably to avoid the mistakes of the past.
The Rams didn’t look to overspend in the summer, paying what they felt was right for all of their transfer targets while looking at bargains they felt fit what the squad was building.
Under Warne, there’s hope that the side can move from strength to strength to survive in the division and build from there.
However, regardless of the performances on the pitch, there is comfort in knowing that there will still be a football club to wake up to the next weekend.