Andrew Hosking, Carl Jackson and Andrew Andronikou, managing directors at business advisory firm Quantuma, have been appointed joint administrators of Derby County Football Club.
The club, currently 12th in the Championship, had been looking for a new owner for some time. And the impact of covid-19 hit earnings while games were closed to spectators, added to pressure on the club’s finances. The club was losing between £1.3m and £1.5m a month according to owner Mel Morris.
Andrew Hosking said: ‘I can confirm that Andrew Andronikou, Carl Jackson and I were appointed joint administrators of Derby County FC today.’
‘Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the finances of the club and its long-term ability to continue in its current form.’
‘We recognise that with the commencement of the 2021/22 season last month, this news will be of concern to stakeholders and fans, in addition to the city of Derby and the wider football community.’
‘We are in the early stages of assessing the options available to the club and would invite any interested parties to come forward.’
‘Our immediate objectives are to ensure the club completes all its fixtures in the Championship this season and finding interested parties to safeguard the club and its employees.’
The club will be given an automatic 12-point deduction and is also facing questions over the fair play financial rules.
The administrators will be prioritising the hunt for a new owner, as well as for settling bills with creditors and HMRC.
The 137-year-old club, currently managed by former England captain Wayne Rooney, was one of 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, and last played in the top flight in 2008.
The two-time champions of England play their home games at Pride Park having moved from its original home of the Baseball Ground in 1997.
