Rams takeover completed

Former vice-chairman Peter Gadsby has returned to Derby as part of a consortium that has completed the purchase of the Coca-Cola Championship club.

Gadsby’s five-man consortium rubber-stamped the deal in the early hours of the morning and the takeover ends the reign of Jeremy Keith and Steve Harding who, with ex-chairman John Sleightholme, took ownership in 2003.

Mike Horton, a member of the successful group, told the Derby Evening Telegraph: “It’s been a long and difficult process, needing patience and perseverance, particularly in regard to securing ownership of Pride Park Stadium.”

Derby supporters’ group RamsTrust were delighted with the takeover and said in a statement: “RamsTrust would like to welcome the new Derby County board of directors to the club.

“We look forward to a period of stability and the opportunity for the club to begin moving forward once again – under the leadership of true supporters with the best interests of the club at heart.”