Don Goodman has cautioned Derby County that, despite rumours of outside investment coming to Pride Park, their goal for this season should still be to survive in the Championship.
The Rams’ owner, David Clowes, is reportedly amenable to new funding coming into the team as they attempt to maintain their ascent out of the financial difficulties they faced at the beginning of the decade, according to a September Telegraph report.
After the Derbyshire team was relegated to League One and had previously gone into administration, Clowes acquired the team in 2022.
According to Derbyshire Live, the Championship side have received worldwide interest from investors, but no agreement has yet been reached on any prospective deals. Paul Warne’s side are back in the second division after gaining promotion last season, but could struggle to financially keep up with their rivals without more money coming in.
Don Goodman makes Derby investment claim
Goodman has claimed that Clowes is a reluctant owner of Derby, and that it’s unlikely he has the funds to bring the club to the next level. He believes their immediate focus should be on remaining in the Championship, suggesting that their greater ambitions can’t get in the way of their short-term goals. “Additional investment will, inevitably, help any club,” said Goodman. “In Derby County’s case, you only have to look where they came from after having 20-plus points deducted, being in administration and getting relegated to League One.
“David Clowes is almost a reluctant owner, who couldn’t see his club suffer any longer. “He’s accepted that if Derby are to move forward, establish themselves in the Championship and eventually try and return to the Premier League, it will take additional investment.
“It’s probably a bit more than he can contribute.”
Though they are a large club, they are just one of many.
“There is and always will be a long list of them in the Championship.
“There is a lot of competition to get into the Premier League.”
“For me, this season has always been about consolidation for Derby County.
“Survival would be a great outcome from this season and who knows where they could go next season with additional investment? But it’s one step at a time, they need to walk before they can run.”
Derby County league position
Derby earned promotion with a second place finish in League One last season, which led to several new faces joining the first team squad. The Rams had made an initially bright start to life back in the second tier, but three defeats in their last three games has seen them drop to 14th in the table. The gap to the relegation zone is now just two points ahead of the October international break. Next up for Warne’s side is a home game against 22nd place QPR, with the two sides meeting at Pride Park on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off.
Survival is the goal for Derby this season
While outside investment is likely needed to take the club to the next level, the immediate goal is still ensuring their survival in the Championship. Staying at this level keeps them an attractive proposition for people looking to get into English football ownership. It also helps their financial position, and brings in greater revenue than if they went back to the third division. If they can finish 21st or higher this year, then that should be considered a big success, and then the focus can turn to how to keep growing the club longer-term.
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