The dire predicament of one of England’s most famous clubs demonstrates the need for urgent reform
“Dad came to Derby in 60s from India. Going to games probably made him feel less alien as all supported the same cause. We as a family done the same since ’92. City and club part of identity.” So reads one of hundreds of tweets on an emotional thread devoted to Derby County football club, which risks expulsion from the English game if financial guarantees are not forthcoming by the end of February. A proud city is holding its breath and hoping for the best. But it should never have come to this.
Primary responsibility for Derby’s predicament must lie with its former owner, the local businessman Mel Morris. Betting this famous club’s future on its ability to regain a place among the Premier League’s wealthy elite, Mr Morris was found to have flouted the financial fair play rules of the English Football League (EFL), thus driving the club into unsustainable debt. When promotion didn’t happen, the game was up. Mr Morris took the club into administration and the EFL imposed a 21-point deduction for financial breaches. Unless a new owner materialises to assuage creditors – and damages claims from two rival clubs are dealt with – Derby risk imminent liquidation and the league will lose a founder member.
