"I would back David Clowes" - Derby County sent clear Mike Ashley takeover message | OneFootball

Derby County have been told to think twice about a potential Mike Ashley takeover

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County owner David Clowes has been told not to sell the club to Mike Ashley.

The past few years have been extremely exciting ones for the Rams, after suffering relegation to League One in 2022 and entering administration that season.

Clowes bought the club and provided them with the steady, consistent cash flow needed to rebuild and become a competitive force once more. This culminated in promotion to the second-tier in 2024, with the Rams going on to retain their Championship status throughout that season.

Looking towards the future, Clowes has always been honest about his willingness to welcome external investment into Derby or potentially commission a full sale if it was going to help take the club to the next level.

Derby County told to steer clear of Mike Ashley takeover

A number of reportedly interested parties have been linked with taking over Derby County, with former Crystal Palace stakeholder John Textor supposedly preparing an official bid.

James Bord, an ex-professional poker player who has been involved with Sheffield United’s AI-driven recruitment model, has also been credited with an interest in potentially buying the Rams.

Alongside those names, former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is reportedly keen on a Derby takeover, despite his public interest in purchasing Sheffield Wednesday too.

When queried on how the prospect of taking over at Pride Park feels, Football League World’s Derby County fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, believes that his club should try and avoid that possibility becoming reality.

“It feels to me like Mike Ashley's just fishing,” stated Shaun. “He's just putting a bit of bait out there for random clubs and seeing who takes the nibble. It doesn't excite me, the thought of him coming into the club.

“I just think he'd use us like a toy. I don't think his heart would really be in it like David Clowes’ is. So, it doesn't excite me, the thought of him coming in.

“David Clowes is a very, very astute man and I don't think he would allow anyone to come into the club who could potentially destabilise and ruin what he's put in place.

“He's got the foundations right now for someone to come in and really take this club forward and I think he will be really careful who he allows to take over from him.

“So if he does think Mike Ashley's the right person, then I would back David Clowes in that decision and give him 100 percent backing. But I personally can't see it myself.”

Mike Ashley would have to convince Derby County fans that he is the right man to lead them forward

Although Ashley managed to run a consistent Premier League outfit for most of his time in charge of Newcastle United, Derby fans would still hold a number of reservations about him potentially taking over.

His attempts to rename St. James’ Park and lack of ambition whilst he was the Magpies’ owner will live long in the memory of those at Pride Park.

They won’t want their club to become the next side to see their momentum halted by Ashley, especially when Clowes is doing a perfectly fine job as it is.

If the businessman were to buy the Rams, he would have to win over a large portion of the fanbase by proving that he has their best interests at heart, and only time will tell whether that proves to be the case.