Earlier today, a DCMS Minister reassured MPs that the Government was receiving regular updates on Derby County FC’s desperate situation. Notwithstanding the warm words from the Government, fans should not face the uncertainty that administration brings and the very real possibility of liquidation. As Vice Chair of RamsTrust, the supporters’ trust for Derby County, I have been fielding calls and emails for the last week from distraught fans.

This was not supposed to happen. The Government has been sitting on the “fan-led” review of football undertaken by Tracey Crouch, and once again we see the absolute necessity of an independent regulator to prevent clubs from overextending themselves. Better still, Government could –if it wanted to– make fan ownership a reality. Make no bones about it, Derby FC is in administration because of the structure of ownership which encourages owners to overstretch and a failed regulatory system.

Administrators are seeking to untangle affairs and are looking for new buyers. An already messy situation is not being helped by a potentially complicated legal situation involving two other clubs and a 21-point deduction by the English Football Club. Whilst there is always hope, things feel very bleak right now for one of the founders of the Football League.

RamsTrust has rallied supporters, contacted all local MPs, the EFL, the Administrators, the Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch and the city council. Football trusts are co-operatives and every club should have one.

When push comes to shove, fans stick together. That’s why I encourage every football fan who is a co-operator to sign the following petition here.