EFL respond as Mel Morris offers surprise proposal in bid to help save Derby

EFL respond as Mel Morris offers a surprise proposal in bid to help save Derby County, making a powerful statement on Friday.

The former Rams chief broke his silence on the saga with the club battling to save its future amid crippling debts and has put forward a solution of some kind.

Having been in administration since September, Derby haven’t been sold despite three offers being on the table due to a series of complexities regarding a deal.

Compensation claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe which relate to the Rams’ breaches of the EFL’s financial rules is one of the main factors putting off bidders.

However, amid all of the statements coming out from the league and clubs, Mel Morris has come out of the nowhere said in order for the sale process to be completed, he has told both Middlesbrough and the Chairboys to pursue him “personally” through the High Court in order for administrators Quantuma to get a deal done.

MEL MORRIS STATEMENT:

“The EFL says they are keen to engage and to find a pragmatic solution. I wish to propose a solution:

“I invite Boro, and in due course Wycombe if they so wish, to take their claims to the High Court against me personally. Let DCFC move on for the benefit of the fans, the City of Derby, the sport and the EFL. To the EFL this allows them to see that the rights of Boro’s and Wycombe’s claims should they be proven in due course, preserved.

“Why the High Court? It is the right place for a claim such as Boro’s to be heard in a forum which is more suited to that type of claim.

“I sincerely hope the EFL, Boro and Wycombe will respond urgently and constructively to my proposal to unlock the impasse. By preserving the rights of these parties to pursue their claims through the high court I can see no reason why the EFL cannot allow DCFC to exit administration without issue or concern that it would be contrary to their rules, articles and insolvency policy.

“I have informed Quantuma, the DCFC Administrators, of my proposal so they may discuss it with the EFL, Boro, Wycombe and potential bidders.”

The Football League have since said: “The EFL notes the comments published and the proposal tabled by Mr Morris this evening. It will now review in detail before considering its position and determining an appropriate response.

“In the meantime, the offer to engage with Mr Morris and all other stakeholders remains in place as we seek to find the compromises required to protect Derby County in the long-term. The League will not be commenting any further on this specific matter at the current time.”

The EFL had previously put out statement on Thursday, which read: “The EFL has previously requested mediation between the two Clubs and the Administrators and is today inviting all relevant and associated parties involved to enter formal collaborative negotiations to actively seek out the compromises and solutions required to ensure that Derby County has a long-term future.

“For the avoidance of any doubt the EFL is requesting the attendance of Administrators and the following stakeholders to participate: the current highest bidder(s), Middlesbrough FC, Wycombe Wanderers FC, Mel Morris, MSD Partners and HMRC.”

Boro responded to that by saying: “Middlesbrough FC has welcomed the statement from the EFL, who have requested a meeting with the administrators of Derby County and the following stakeholders: the current highest bidder(s), Middlesbrough FC, Wycombe Wanderers FC, Mel Morris, MSD Partners and HMRC.

“MFC is available to attend any meeting, wherever or whenever this may be, just as we always have been.

“MFC has always maintained that its claim against Derby County is a football related debt and that it should be treated as such. MFC welcomes the EFL’s confirmation that it shares this view.

“If the administrators believe that the EFL are not entitled to take this stance, MFC has offered to refer the matter to a judge to decide.”

And Wycombe chairman Rob Couhig said: “Since last Nov, we have asked Administrators for a meeting to conduct good faith negotiations to resolve the issue between the two clubs. Despite repeated requests, we have never heard a word from them.

“Perhaps, now that the request has come from the EFL, they will finally agree to meet and try to come to a responsible commercial solution. As soon as I am told when and where the mediation will take place, I will fly back to the UK and personally attend.”

Derby’s administrators declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the PA news agency on Friday.

TWITTER REACTION:

DERBY. Mel Morris statement is quite something. If he is willing to spend his own cash on the Middlesbrough and Wycombe claims then: 1 he thinks he wins and 2 he puts his money in to pay for it and saves the admins spending the wages.

— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) February 4, 2022

@the_real_wc: Gibson wants Mel, so he will love this! And I expect Mel would to, let them both battle it out, I would think that this has been his plan all along.

@PAB00077542: What the!

@Stuart180614: Everything still isn’t forgotten and forgiven for Mel, but it’s a start! Just hope this works out and it isn’t too late 🤞🏽 #dcfc #SaveDerbyCounty

@su4eranio: I salute this. These shady claims should go to Court not another EFL kangaroo court with their vendettas. Let’s hear from Parry, Birch, Gibson and Couhig now. If Mel wins in Court, then I hope he gets awarded costs. And may be then consider a case against all 3 orgs for damages

@_TY_97: We al know if it goes to high courts they will turn it down this is to make Morris look like The hero when he’s to blame for derbys situation

@KANEDAVID77: I dont and won’t forgive Mel Morris but this is the right thing. Let’s see how Gibson responds.

@Closey25: The party at fault, if indeed they are, is the club. He can’t just say sue me instead. He can indemnify Derby for any claim, however. He won’t do that. It’s all smoke and mirrors with the man. I’m a Boro fan who thinks our claim is spurious but Morris is entirely to blame.

@crichlad1884; IF Gibson refuses, can’t MM make the same offer to the preferred bidder?

@su4eranio: How can Gibson refuse this and say it’s not a vendetta to do anything but liquidate Derby. MM has forced all 3 into a tight corner with this. Margaret Beckett will be arranging a meeting for Monday morning with EFL

@johndavidflint: Shows he does have a conscience after all . Also shows @EFL are manipulating the press to suit their own agenda. Let’s see how Gibson takes this offer and get Derby County out of administration

@MikeSatterlee: Love to see the EFL response to this…😏

@paulc1884: Wow, he’s far from my favourite person in the world, but that is a fantastic statement. Now we’ll get to see the EFL’s and Boro’s real intentions.

@barmylad34: They won’t allow it I’m sure! It doesn’t result in derby being liquidated so they will be off course

@MSaybul: Well this is what we wanted, and The EFL and Boro, Plus Wycombe have a choice to save Derby or Not

@M_Watson__: Go on Mel about time someone stood up and took this on. Don’t agree with what he did to the club but well done for standing up for what’s right. Love the way he slates the efl in this statement

@thomasitorpet: Well done Mel! Not expecting Boro or EFL to accept this but if they do I’m confident that Mel will be the winner in the end. This is also why I don’t expect them to accept this solution.

@frankie812: Will no doubt have to wait until next Thursday night/Friday morning for the joint @efl and @Boro reply. Fair play to Mel, far from redemption but an excellent start.

@longy_derby: @AndyMargett you said from day 1 that only one person can fix this! Is this the day things turn in our favour and Derby can finally be saved!

@Jack_Pow: See if Gibson and Couhig have the bottle. I think I know the answer to that though.

@TridentRAM: Mel Morris is still and never will be welcome at Pride Park #dcfc

@Jordangale2482: Mel Morris still a mug, fucked us over but what a man for doing this

Wait a minute… wait just a minute JR, THATS MEL MORRIS’ MUSIC!!! OH MAH GAWD HES BACK..MEL MORRIS IS BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW!!!!! pic.twitter.com/rw5VJaO6AQ

— Niall O’Dwyer (@niallo89) February 4, 2022

Me: I’m not going to take the piss out of Derby today.

Derby hailing Mel Morris a hero against panto villain Gibson.

Derby making jokes about United suing Boro over handball

Chris Kirchner receiving abuse for revealing home truths about MM having fans on strings.

Me: #nffc pic.twitter.com/r8Lbbv6g5M

— Sarcastic Forest (@SarcasticForest) February 5, 2022