Sea of furious Derby protesters march as football club on brink of ruin – staggering video

Ahead of the sell-out Championship clash with Birmingham City at 1.30pm, Derby County FC supporters gathered in the Market Place near the Assembly Rooms at 11.30am and began their march to the club’s Pride Park. Rams fans — an estimated 750 to 1,000 of them are thought to be in attendance — are hoping to raise more awareness of the club’s plight as it has been in administration since September.

As crowds march toward Cockpit Island and over the bridge over the train station and then towards the ground, officers have closed roads, with Derbyshire Police saying: “The march by Derby County FC fans has begun in Derby city centre.

“There is a rolling road block in place and we are being supported in policing the march by colleagues, from South Yorkshire mounted police amongst others.”

Before the one-and-a-half-mile march, organised by Rams fan Ryan Beniston, Derby County hero Marco Gabbiadini, who joined the club from Crystal Palace for £1 million in January 1992 and was named Derby’s Player of the Year at the end of his first full season, sent a message of support.

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He tweeted: “Thinking of all my Derby County friends walking to show solidarity and displeasure in the current situation.

“You were just incredible fans to represent and I’m desperate for the club’s plight to improve and match the fans, manager and players will and determination!”

The 54-year-old spent almost four full years in the East Midlands, making more than 200 appearances.

Videos from the scene show huge groups of people, with some sharing their love for the club.

Tracey Stinchombe told with DerbyshireLive: “My parents have been season ticket holders for so many years.

“My dad’s 92, mum is 80 – they are watching the match at friends’, so we’ve come to represent them really.

“We’ve got to show how much the team means to us.

“Hopefully the prospective buyers will be impressed.”

The fans’ gathering comes days after Derby County’s administrators were given an extra month to provide proof of how the Championship club will be funded for the rest of the season.

A joint statement from the EFL and Quantuma on Thursday read: “Today’s development will allow the club to meet its ongoing obligations whilst giving a further four weeks to continue the discussions with the interested bidders and relevant stakeholders in respect of a sale, alongside providing additional time to seek clarity on the claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe.

“It is appreciated that many people have been waiting to receive an update over the last 48 hours but given the complexity and ever-changing circumstances, our priority has been to provide clarity once there is a definitive position.”

They added: “Our commitment as ever remains addressing the many challenges at hand and we will look to provide updates as soon as we are able to.”

The club is in the relegation zone, eight points from safety.

Manager Wayne Rooney’s efforts to prevent the club from being moved into League One continue despite the possibility of additional players leaving to ease Derby’s financial constraints.