On Friday it was announced that former chairman Peter Gadsby had left his position as non-executive director of Derby County.

The clubs official site posted a statement addressing the situation from Rams chairman Andy Appleby.

He was quoted as saying: "Peter Gadsby has a long and proud association with Derby County and I have no doubt he will continue to support the club in a positive manner as he has done for many years. I would like to put on record my personal thanks to Peter for the work and support he gave in helping to bring myself and the new ownership of Derby County to this great club."

As part of their article on the subject therams.co.uk reported a club spokesman as saying: "The change is part of a freshening up of the board and there will be more announcements to be made over the next few weeks."

The same report on therams.co.uk stated that Peter Gadsby was unavailable for comment.

There will no doubt be much concern from supporters around the move; Mr Gadsby was seen as a stable figure at the club who would act in the best interests of Derby County and the fans. Until he makes comment about the current situation or the club clarifies the reasons behind the move, fans will no doubt be sceptical about the events behind the man who saved the club only just over a season ago, now leaving his position on the board.

The most interesting part of the statement for myself was the use of the words “freshening up”. If a man who saved the club from possible extinction and took them to the countries highest league has to leave to “freshen” things up, then fans have every right to ask questions as to exactly what that means.

Recent speculation from various news sites regarding the financial stability of the new owners, is still to be publicly addressed by the club. Today’s announcement will surely only add fuel to the fire that more financial investment is needed and perhaps is now on the way.

After too many years of deception and instability, swift and clear clarification as soon as possible from all parties will be the only way of avoiding fans becoming wary of the clubs administration once again.

Whatever the case may be Peter Gadsby played an important part in saving Derby County from what could have been its darkest hour. For that fans of Derby County will be eternally gratful. 

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