How much can Derby County spend under SCR?

Derby County has a guaranteed SCR spending limit of £27.1m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £31.9m. If the owner uses the full equity top-up, the ceiling rises to £42.1m.

What is Derby County's SCR headroom?

Derby County's estimated SCR headroom is −£4.4m — the difference between their guaranteed 85% limit of £27.1m and their estimated £31.5m squad cost. With the owner top-up, the max allowance rises to £42.1m.

EFL Squad Cost Ratio

How much can Derby County spend?

Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Derby County have a guaranteed spending limit of £27.1m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £31.9m. Against their estimated squad cost that is £4.4m short. If the owner injects the maximum top-up (£15m/season), the ceiling rises to £42.1m.

Derby County: the SCR breakdown

Estimated revenue (football) reported £31.9m
85% SCR limit (no owner top-up) £27.1m
Estimated squad cost reported £31.5m
Headroom vs 85% limit −£4.4m
+ Max owner equity top-up (if used) £15m
Max spending allowance (with top-up) £42.1m
Headroom vs max allowance +£10.6m

Restricted - squad cost is 98.7% of revenue

What this means

On these estimates, Derby County are spending well above what SCR allows. Closing that gap usually means selling players or growing revenue before they can strengthen further.

Old rules vs new: PSR compared to SCR

Under the old PSR system, clubs were judged on total losses over three years, not on what they spent on the squad as a share of revenue. Here's how Derby's position compares under both sets of rules.

Old PSR (loss-based)	New SCR (revenue-based)
3-year losses: £22m estimated Limit: £39m Headroom: +£17m 2022/23–2024/25	Squad cost: £31.5m 85% limit: £27.1m · Max (with top-up): £42.1m Headroom: −£4.4m Based on £31.9m revenue

Post-administration window under David Clowes. 3-year losses modest (~£22m total across League One and first Championship season back). ~£17m headroom. Historic Mel Morris-era losses (£200m+, 21-point deduction) predate this window entirely.

Note on this club's figures. 2024/25 revenue £31.9m (up 64% from £19.4m after Championship promotion). Wages £31.5m. Pre-tax loss £11.1m. £63.1m total debt (interest-free, owner David Clowes). Sources: matchdayfinance.com, Swiss Ramble, dcfc.co.uk.
Source.

Compare Derby with another club

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sheffield United Southampton Burnley Luton Town Watford

← All Championship clubs ranked by SCR headroom

Figures are illustrative estimates from published accounts and public reporting, not official SCR submissions. SCR uses adjusted football revenue, which differs from headline turnover. Last reviewed 2026-05-17. Full rules explainer →