Mon 06 Jul
Time to read: 3mins
It has been a summer of change at Derby County.
It has been a summer of change at Derby County.
There’s an air of excitement sweeping right across the club from the iPro Stadium to the Training Ground and which is clearly resonating within the local community.
The 2015/16 season is still over a month away from kicking off, with the Rams travelling to Bolton Wanderers on the opening day, but already Derby are experiencing a new-found level of interest from fans and sponsors.
When Paul Clement was appointed as Head Coach at the beginning of June, the club labelled his arrival as #TheNextChapter across their social media platforms.
But his appointment isn’t the only reason to point towards a new chapter beginning at the club.
Mel Morris was recently appointed as Club Chairman, a year after joining the board, and as many as six signings have been made since the start of June – while work is ongoing to continually improve the facilities at the Rams’ Training Centre and the iPro Stadium.
Supporters have demonstrated their eagerness to be part of the next chapter, with Season Ticket sales already over the 22,000 mark, a number which is already more than Derby sold during the entire 2014/15 campaign.
Chief Operating Officer John Vicars explained: “I have been at Derby County for almost a decade and I have not previously witnessed the current levels of interest ahead of a new season.
“Our Season Ticket sales are simply outstanding. We’re in a position where because we need to keep some tickets back for sales on the day of each game there are only around 1,500 season tickets remaining and there are still six weeks to go before our first home league game!”
“That number is reducing with every passing day so I would really encourage anyone that is considering purchasing a Season Ticket to do so now – and not leave it until the last minute because they could be left disappointed.”
Likewise, the level of interest for corporate hospitality for the new season – both on a seasonal and match-by-match basis – is just as encouraging.
Derby boasts an impressive array of hospitality packages at the iPro Stadium, while the Dave Mackay Suite in the North West Corner has been refurbished during the close season and is already closing in on a sell-out.
Vicars said: “Hospitality sales have been very strong over the summer and – for example – we only have one Executive Box remaining with most of our lounges nearing capacity.
“It’s fantastic that it’s not just our fans that want to be part of what is happening at Derby County, but local businesses and clients are also showing their support for the club with the same amount of passion.”
He added: “Our portfolio of club partners and sponsors increases by the day, which further highlights that Derby County’s reputation is growing both on a local and national basis.”
Vicars believes that, with the big kick-off next month, the present moment is an exciting time for everyone connected with the Rams.
He said: “The Chairman, and the Board, are determined to take the club forward and I think that supporters and club partners realise that this is an exciting time for the Football Club.”
