Derby County fan David Clowes has completed his takeover of the League One club.

Clowes has delivered an open letter to relieved Rams fans admitting he couldn't stand by and watch the club he loves die.

Clowes confessed he would rather have avoided the limelight but felt he had to act when American Chris Kirchener's proposed takeover collapsed.

"As a lifelong supporter, I could not stand by as the risk of losing Derby County became all too real," he wrote after ending Derby's agony after 282 days in administration.

"I could not have looked myself in the mirror if I had not done everything possible to protect it.

"As a private person, I did not want the publicity and would prefer to remain an anonymous supporter watching the team from my usual seat.

"However, if that is the price to secure the future of the club, then so be it.

"My focus now is to stabilise the football club in every department and to make sure we have the foundations in place for success, however long that takes."