This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features unique perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…
Derby County may face an offer to buy the club from serial football club investor John Textor.
The Rams have had a mixed start to the 2025-26 season, with a disappointing start tempered by a recovery that has seen them ascend to the middle of the Championship table, despite a 3-2 home setback to Watford in their most recent game.
However, many of the club’s recent headlines have focused on potential goings-on behind the scenes at Pride Park, with speculations circulating that ex-Crystal Palace owner John Textor may be preparing to launch a bid to purchase into the club, according to Alan Nixon.
Textor supports the multi-club concept and is already significantly involved with clubs in Brazil, France, and Belgium, but he hasn’t had an English club in his portfolio since selling his minority investment in FA Cup winners Palace this summer.
“I totally trust him” – David Clowes supports Derby County’s appropriate ownership decision on John Textor
Football League World spoke with resident Derby County fan commentator Shaun Woodward about the rumors linking John Textor to the Rams, and he is displeased with what he has heard about him.
“I’d heard quite a few negative things about John Textor from other fans and from other clubs he’s been involved in,” Shaun told ESPN.
“I’m not sure if this is the direction we should take. I believe David Clowes is astute, and I doubt he would hand over the reigns to someone who could potentially lead us down the same path that Mel Morris did.”
Shaun believes that an outcome involving Textor could benefit Derby, but it would not include the American billionaire gaining complete ownership of the club.
“I think the best case scenario for John Textor would be that David Clowes releases part of the club to him and still stays involved,” Woodward told reporters.
“I couldn’t picture him selling us out to him. I believe he is too much of a fan and too wise to allow us to return to our former ways. He’s worked too hard to just toss everything away.”
Finally, Shaun believes current owner David Clowes will do the right thing for his club.
“I’ll be happier to stay the way we are and live within our means even if it means a couple of years of consolidation until we find the right person for David Clowes to sell to,” he said.
“I doubt David Clowes will do something stupid. I completely believe him, but I don’t see this as a solution.”
Given John Textor’s and Derby County’s recent histories, Rams fans may be concerned about his engagement with them.
Derby County fans could be understood for being nervous about the prospect of their club being sold again, given what transpired during Mel Morris’ last ownership.
Under Morris, Derby overspent significantly in an unsuccessful bid to return to the Premier League, resulting in the club going into administration and playing League One football. David Clowes purchased the club from administration and restored its stability, with the Rams gaining promotion back to the Championship at the end of the 2023-24 season.
And it’s fair to say that John Textor has a mixed record with the clubs at which he’s been involved. His Brazilian side Botafogo won the Copa Libertadores – the South American equivalent to the Champions League – at the end of his first season with them, but the financial problems incurred by his French club Lyon have been well-documented, and fans of his Belgian club RWD Molenbeek protested against plans to change their name to “Daring Brussels” – the club
Even at Crystal Palace, there was some controversy during his tenure, when it was announced that the club would be demoted to the Europa Conference League from the Europa League after winning the FA Cup in May due to a conflict of interest caused by his shareholding.
There’s a solid case to be made that Derby County doesn’t need a “disruptor” to join their team right now. The Rams had a terrible time as a result of Mel Morris’ administration of their team, and the fallout from that moment in their history has cast a long shadow over them.
But David Clowes is a fan of the club, and there are plenty of reasons to believe he will do the right thing by them if he decides to sell and move on.
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