New Chief Executive takes up his post at Pride Park Stadium.

Sam Rush has today officially started his new job as Chief Executive of Derby County.







As he has for most of the season, Rush will this afternoon take his place at Pride Park Stadium, to watch the Rams take on Middlesbrough.





Writing in today’s edition of The Ram, Rush says he can’t wait to get started in his new role.







“Today is a special one for me and my family as it is my first day in the role of President & Chief Executive Officer of Derby County. I am very much aware of the Club’s history and in particular it’s huge importance to so many people. It is a great honour to work at Derby County and I promise to do everything possible to make this Club stronger.







We are fortunate to have stable and supportive owners who have invested very significant sums into the Club and who care about its future. Like us all, they want Derby to be successful but quite rightly also want the Club to be robust, to be sustainable and not to live beyond its means. I look forward to working with the Ownership Group and our staff in helping strike this balance.





Nigel Clough and his coaching staff have done a great job in integrating young talent with more established professionals and we have witnessed some strong displays this season. We are playing an exciting brand of football and our home form has been excellent – for a team to challenge for promotion from this league the home form must be strong and I am delighted that we are creating a fortress at Pride Park.







Our Academy continues to grow and this season has supplied as many as four players for our first team. The Academy is a source of pride for all of us and I am confident that more stars of the future will emerge from here over the coming seasons.





Of course, there are challenges and this Club has had many of those in recent years. I am confident, however, that we are in a good place and that there are many exciting times ahead. I am very much looking forward to sharing these with you all.





January is a very exciting month with big league games and FA Cup ties. Today we face a stiff challenge but I am sure we can rise to the occasion.







Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing many of you at next Monday’s Fans Forum.”





Rush’s arrival strengthens the off field team at Pride Park and Chairman Andy Appleby says he is delighted the new man is in place.







“It has been a really positive season so far and I like all Rams supporters wish Sam the best of luck in his new role,” he said.





“It is great that Sam is now finally able to start at Pride Park. I have got to know Sam really well over the past months and I can now revert back to my normal role, working with the Ownership Group safe in the knowledge that the right man is in charge at Derby County.





“He is a leader and I, along with the rest of the Ownership Group look forward to working with him."