Richardson hopes to pull off the Italian job

Bryan Richardson smiles as he resigns as Chairman of Coventry City on January 30th 2002. Leaving Coventry with a rumoured £60million debt. does this man really inspire confidence in any of his financial dealings?

Rams director Bryan Richardson has been talking to BBC Radio Derby about investment in the club.

He has stated that there are three separate sources that may be interested in putting money into Derby County FC. The sources are not known but are said to be Italian. Fabrizio Ravanelli’s agent Gianni Paladini is the go between for the interested parties.

If successful the deal will enable some of the enormous pressure from the banks to be lifted, at least for a while. Richardson envisages the injection of funds to last a period of around a year. This will enable a restructuring of the clubs finances.

Richardson has however said that any free money the club may have will not be available for transfers and has intimated that players on very high salaries will be leaving the club. Lionel Pickering is also said to be remaining as club Chairman for the foreseeable future.

Pickering still wanted by Richardson as Chairman of Derby County. Is his heart really in it?

Following a report on Bryan Richardson and his dealings whilst Chairman at Coventry City last week by the Derby Evening Telegraph web site, it remains to be seen if this is not just a measure to steady the club whilst it is stripped of all it’s assets. Coventry City where said to have been left with debts of £60million when Richardson left the midlands club. Are we seeing the same tactics at Pride Park?

To read the BBC article in full click here