David Clowes’ journey from a regular Derby County match attendee to the triumphant owner of his beloved club is nothing short of remarkable. Just two years ago, he was among the crowd at Pride Park, but now he stands as the proud owner celebrating their promotion back to the Championship.
The moment of applause in the 55th minute of the Rams’ 2-0 victory over Carlisle United, sealing their promotion, was deeply meaningful. Seeing Clowes emerge from the Pride Park tunnel, radiating joy, to present the trophy to Derby captain Conor Hourihane marked the beginning of a joyous celebration in the city.
However, now the focus shifts to the task at hand. Rejoining the Championship brings heightened interest in the club, promising increased sponsorship and visibility thanks to a new television deal with Sky.
This achievement aligns with Clowes’ strategic vision for the club, which is owned by Clowes Developments, a property firm based in Ashbourne that also acquired Pride Park in a deal to rescue the Rams from liquidation in July 2022, with Clowes as chairman. Though not vocal about his plans publicly, Clowes Developments outlined their intentions for the club in their November 2022 financial report for 2021/22.
The report stated: “As a significant investor and property owner in the East Midlands, the directors believed that the potential liquidation of the local football club was not in the best interests of the group or the city of Derby itself. They felt a corporate social responsibility to the local economy and could not let the football club collapse.”
Clowes’ motivation stems from both emotional attachment to the club and a pragmatic understanding of its financial situation. Having achieved stability in the initial phase of their plan, Clowes Developments now looks forward to adding value to their investment, evident in the club’s return to the Championship and the increased prominence it brings.
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