Derby County Football Club and Pride Park Stadium are to be unified once again within a new holding company.
While the club and stadium have both been owned by Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, since the summer of 2022, they have been held in separate legal entities, the club in Derby County (The Rams) Limited, and Pride Park in Gellaw Newco 202 Limited.
The stadium company Gellaw Newco 202 Limited has been re-named Derby County (The Rams) Stadium Limited and will sit alongside the club company Derby County (The Rams) Limited, in a new holding company, Derby County (The Rams) Holdings Limited.
Derby County (The Rams) Holdings Limited is to be 100% owned by Clowes Developments (UK) Limited but although there is no change of ownership, the move reflects a desire to allay concerns from fans regarding the separation of club and stadium.
David Clowes said: “Having secured our goal of maintaining our Championship status after promotion from League One, we felt it was the right time to make this change.”
In strict accordance with club regulations, the changes were discussed fully with the Supporters’ Board. A club spokesman said: “The issue of where Pride Park sits and the protections around ensuring the club and stadium remain together, has been a regular topic of discussion at each meeting since the formation of the Supporters’ Board. We are grateful for their insight and analysis on this change of structure.”
Supporters’ Board Statement On Changes To Club Structures
The Supporters’ Board welcomes this change in Derby County’s company structure.
The issue of the stadium ownership, which we accept was the result of the steps required at the time of the takeover of the club, has been a significant topic of discussion at the board. Members have been concerned that the separation of the stadium ownership from the club ownership could restrict our ability to fulfil our responsibilities and powers of consent over the ownership of the stadium.
The Supporters’ Board is assured that the changes proposed will better allow us to fulfil this key responsibility and to protect such a critical club and community asset.
We appreciate the positive engagement from the club on this issue.
