Inside Derby County’s debt nightmare

Off The Pitch has been given an insiders’ view of the challenges facing Derby County’s administrators as they seek a new buyer for the club.

Industry insider: “This could be a £70-80 million project to re-stablise the club. Billionaire owners will be likely be put off by the high risk nature of turnaround and local businessmen, supporters groups will not have means to do this.”

Insolvency practitioner: Decision to delay administration after implementation of new HMRC rules could cost new buyer extra £20 million.

Derby owner-chairman says he will underwrite nine-figure soft loans and that “liabilities aren't a lot different to what the purchase price for a club with no debts will be.”