The new season is upon us, and before the Championship campaign has even begun, there has already been a huge story at Derby County. Four years on from David Clowes’ reluctant act of heroism, he looked set to and over a large stake of the club to Lion Sport. But unpredictable as ever, Saudi government official and boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh has now pulled out. It is clearly a blow to preparations for John Eustace and co., but now David Clowes and his team must leap into

It might not be pretty, but survival on the pitch, and stability off it, are crucial for the club’s long-term plan.