Derby docked 12 points as losses mount and administrator scrambles to find a buyer

September 22 – Derby County, league champions twice in the 1970s and one of the grand old teams of English football, have been hit with a 12-point deduction after falling into administration.

The second-tier club, currently managed by former England great Wayne Rooney (pictured), was taken over by administrators on Wednesday and will slip to last place in the Championship with minus-2 points after eight games.

The team played in the Premier League as recently as 2008 and Rooney, the record scorer for England and Manchester United, has been its permanent manager since January.

One of the 12 founding members of the English Football League in 1888, Derby has been up for sale for months with two takeover bids collapsing. It entered administration with the aim of completing all of its matches this season. The club is losing between £1.3 million and £1.5 million per month according to owner Mel Morris.

“We are in the early stages of assessing the options available to the club and would invite any interested parties to come forward,” said Andrew Hosking, one of the three administrators appointed from business advisory firm Quantuma.

“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.

“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.”

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