There is one man Derby County supporters should never be ungrateful for: View | OneFootball

There is one man to thank after Derby County enjoyed promotion to the Championship just two seasons after being saved from bankruptcy: David Clowes.

Paul Warne's side clinched automatic promotion after an enthralling 2-0 win over Carlisle United on Saturday, narrowly edging out third-place Bolton Wanderers. Despite the champagne corks popping with the Rams ascending to the second division of English football, it's hard to forget the position they were in just two years ago.

The 2021/22 season saw Derby County relegated from the Championship, reporting debts of £60 million. The scene at Pride Park was like armageddon, with many high-ranking officials jumping ship before the club sank. Former manager Wayne Rooney took no time to depart the club, citing the "uncertain period regarding the ownership" as the main reason why.

When all hope seemed to be lost, one man swooped in and saved The Rams from liquidation and total collapse.

Man of the moment, David Clowes

During the 10 months that Derby were in administration, the club was run by insolvency firm Quantuma. In an attempt to right the club, the firm sold off most of Pride Park's finest talent and moved on a large portion of staff. Right when the Derby doomsday clock looked like it was striking 12, Sunday Times Rich List 2023 nominee David Clowes swooped in. July 1, 2022, was the fabled day Rams fans knew their club was safe, as Clowes finalised a deal to take over the club.

In an open letter to fans shortly after the deal was completed, Clowes relayed how he could "not stand by as the risk of losing Derby County became all too real. I could not have looked myself in the mirror if I had not done everything possible to protect it".

Since then, the founder of Clowes Developments has backed the club to the hilt, investing as much as restrictions have allowed to get the club back to the Championship. These sanctions imposed by the EFL in regard to their freedom in the transfer market will end this summer, giving Warne and Clowes the best chance to bolster their squad ahead of a Championship return.

Highlights of the Clowes era

Fans of Derby have been pouring in tributes to the man who saved their club from extinction. It's a story that is becoming all too familiar for clubs below the Premier League, with relegation inflicting terminal damage like with Rushden & Diamonds FC in 2006.

Seemingly the biggest stroke of genius by Clowes and his board was to appoint Paul Warne to replace interim manager Liam Rosenior. They finished seventh in League One but with stability to push on for promotion in the 2023/24 season, which they did.

The manager has performed miracles with the current transfer limitations imposed upon them, utilsing loan deals with the likes of Bristol City loanee Max Bird. The 23-year-old has impressed in League One this season, with six goals and seven assists in 33 appearances from defensive midfield.

Another point of excitement in the Clowes era is how entertaining the Rams have been in-front of goal. Ebou Adams' thunder-volley at home against Blackpool in March was a critical point in their season, igniting tangible feelings that the Rams could get promoted.

Clowes was in attendance for Derby's final game against Carlisle, bringing the promotion trophy onto the pitch for the players to lift. In another of his frequent messages to fans, he wrote "seeds have blossomed into the joy of promotion back to the Championship".

He deserves as much credit for this step in the right direction as anyone, given the fact the club, simply, might not be here without him.