John Sleightholme

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John Sleightholme, a barrister and deputy coroner who was not previously known to most supporters, gained two-thirds ownership of Derby County F.C. in October 2003. Jeremy Keith gained one-third ownership and Steve Harding (known by Derby County fans as the Invisible Man) became a third director.

Mr. Sleightholme's friend Murdo Mackay became involved and was soon promoted to director of football.

Part of the debts of the club had been refinanced to the mysterious ABC Corporation of Panama.

In early 2006, Derby County were facing a boardroom battle between John Sleightholme and Jeremy Keith. Following protests by the Rams Protest Group and RamsTrust, it didn't seem that Sleightholme and Keith would be chairman and chief executive respectively for much longer and, indeed, on April 13 2006, Sleightholme resigned, stating "My position has been made untenable. Recently it has come to my attention that meetings have been held, important decisions taken and documents signed without my knowledge. Important information has been withheld from me."