Derby County owner David Clowes has been speaking about his plans for the future, including what he plans to do with Pride Park.
Derby achieved promotion back to the Championship last term and ahead of their return to the second tier, the transfer rumours and new signings have dominated the headlines.
The Rams have successfully got three names through the doors of Pride Park, including former Nottingham Forest player Ben Osborn, released Ipswich Town striker Kayden Jackson and Swansea City’s Jerry Yates on loan.
Paul Warne is attempting to flesh out his current squad and achieve something he’s never managed to do in his career; stay in the Championship for more than one season.
Warne guided Rotherham United to three promotions from League One during his time there, although he suffered relegation back to the third tier immediately on each occasion.
Derby aim to consolidate their position in the division next season and then eventually challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
David Clowes outlines his aims for Pride Park
Like many in the lower reaches of the football league, Derby owner David Clowes aims to bring Premier League football back to the city, last dining at England’s top table in 2008, a season that ended with the infamous 11 points.
The long-term ambition for the club is to win promotion to the top flight and stabilise for a few seasons before thinking about expanding the capacity of Pride Park, which currently holds 33,597.
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Clowes said: “That’s been looked at before, hasn’t it? I think you’ve got to be in the Premier League for a number of years. You’ve got to sustain it, but we will certainly look at it.
“I think the last time it was looked at I think it was to increase the capacity on the East Stand and it would probably take the capacity up of the ground to about 41,000.
“And I think Derby, established in the Premier League, we could attract those crowds.”
Derby County’s first challenge is to stay in the Championship
Describing it the best Championship he’s seen in years, Warne couldn’t afford to play catch up with their transfer business and with three signings through the door, he’s made a good start to assembling a solid squad.
The Rams will also be anticipating more signings in the coming weeks, perhaps finalising a deal for Ebou Adams from Cardiff City.
Sadly, no matter how many signings they make or the quality of them in general, staying in the second tier is the hardest it’s ever been.
Last season, Birmingham City were relegated with a mammoth 50 points – the first team to have been relegated from the Championship with 50+ points since Blackburn Rovers in the 2016-17 campaign (51).
That just shows the level of the task that stands in front of them as consolidating their position will be far harder than last term’s promotion.