David Clowes has fulfilled the initial stage of Derby County’s reconstruction plan as outlined in the £60 million announcement.
David Clowes, following Derby County’s promotion to the Championship, experienced a remarkable transformation. From being a regular attendee at Derby County matches two years ago, he now stands as an owner of the club, a victory that holds deep personal significance for him.
The heartfelt applause resonating in the 55th minute during the Rams’ 2-0 triumph over Carlisle United, securing their promotion back to the Championship, was a poignant moment. Equally memorable was witnessing Clowes’ radiant expression as he emerged from the Pride Park tunnel, presenting a trophy for Derby captain Conor Hourihane to lift high, marking the onset of a joyous celebration in the city.
With promotion secured, attention now shifts to the business at hand. Re-entering the Championship will undoubtedly amplify interest in the club, leading to enhanced sponsorship opportunities and visibility, courtesy of a new television deal with Sky.
This achievement aligns with Clowes’ overarching vision for the club, which is under the ownership of Clowes Developments, a property firm based in Ashbourne that also acquired Pride Park in a deal that rescued the Rams from liquidation in July 2022, with Clowes serving as chairman. While Clowes tends to keep a low public profile, Clowes Developments articulated their strategic roadmap for the club in their November 2022 financial statement.
Their statement elucidated: “As a significant investor and property owner in the East Midlands, the directors recognized the potential ramifications of the local football club facing liquidation, viewing it as detrimental to both the group and the city of Derby. Hence, the group felt a corporate social responsibility to the local economy and intervened to prevent the football club’s demise.
The directors view this as a medium-term investment aimed at restoring stability to the football club and generating substantial value surpassing the initial investment of approximately £60 million.” Clowes has previously emphasized his reluctance to witness the club’s collapse, highlighting both emotional and pragmatic motivations behind the acquisition.
Having successfully executed phase one of their plan — restoring stability to the club — Clowes Developments now embarks on the exciting journey of enhancing the value of their investment. The club’s return to the Championship marks the initial step in this endeavor, promising increased visibility and opportunities on the horizon.
