‘Total farce’ – Derby County fans react to latest Chris Kirchner takeover update
Derby County fans have reacted cautiously to news of proposed new owner Chris Kirchner who says his takeover of the club is “almost complete”.
The American businessman obtained a further extension of his exclusivity period on Friday, which was to end on Saturday May 14 at midnight, but he now has an additional 48 hours to finalize the takeover.
The exclusivity period is a time frame in which only one party can complete a takeover of the club – former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley would wait in the wings in case Kirchner’s bid fails.
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Derby has been in administration for eight months and Kirchner was named preferred bidder in April. Regarding the proposed takeover, the directors said on Monday that there were “only a small number of outstanding issues to be resolved with the EFL and in relation to the club’s stadium at Pride Park”.
They added: “We consider that the problems can be solved in a short time.” Now, however, Kirchner has provided another update to supporters on social media, this time saying “everything is almost over”.
In a thread shared on social media, the American businessman said: “Everything is almost done. We have extended until Monday so that we can finish the last piece and they have agreed to let us. I don’t I won’t have any further updates this weekend, but I will have a conclusion to the process on Monday that I’ll share with you all.”
Read the full thread here:
Here’s what Rams fans had to say about Kirchner’s latest update:
dcfcock: I still can’t see it happening. Takes too long.
Swadyram: I really hope it’s true CK.
Thomas Leleux: If the stumbling block is the floor, why not agree to move to Meadow Lane for two years. CK can then take control of the club and that will give us some breathing room. Twenty thousand at Meadow Lane should be more than enough capacity for the Football League third tier and even if we get less; the ground will always look full, unlike a half-empty Pride Park.
Beaufort1: I’m intrigued who will own the stadium – the council, local businessmen or a combination of both. I’m also interested to know if he will be exempt from Dell loans. If anything good can come out of this nightmare it will be if the club can emerge in a better financial position than it was when it entered administration (not that it will be any consolation for local businesses ). If the loans still exist and the creditors are paid over three years, then that’s far from the ideal resolution, but I guess the beggars can’t choose.
Asa Houldsworth: Still don’t trust him.
Helen Hunt Wright: Total stuffing.
Caliq Smith: Even if this guy takes you back, I think you’ll be sleeping in liquidation. It’s one thing to strike a deal to get him through, and quite another to run the club, day in and day out. He doesn’t have the money for that.
Dean Coles: The EFL gave him the green light for the club buy-in… The only thing we need is a pitch of some capacity to be able to renew our EFL membership.
Paul Graton: Apparently, he sold 1% of his company for 60 million euros, which must be worth some money for the lot.
Nedram: I am not sure. Has Mike Ashley made a stadium deal with Morris yet and will he stall until CK lose? I hope everything can be resolved in one way or another in the next few days. Rooney must be free to negotiate contract extensions and start signing free agents to address the weaknesses that have been evident over the past few months.
DerbyC1884: Please don’t be defeatist. Kirchner has already said it’s almost done, he’ll give us the answers on Monday. This time he seems more likely to complete the takeover and his confidence to complete it gives some of us reassurances. If Mike Ashley was serious about taking over, why on earth didn’t he make an official offer for the club and the land. Waiting in the background, seeing all the mess Derby County has been through, having to sell high value players, for a pittance and seeing teams survive is a disgrace to MA! What good is waiting in the background when a new owner was needed months ago. Give us some good news on Monday Chris, or please make one. Forward and upward.