Quoting the club’s Supporters Trust, fans are calling Friday “one of the most bittersweet days” in Sheffield Wednesday’s 158-year history. The “bitter” part is the 12-point administration penalty, dropping the club to -6. The “sweet” is the exit of “overjoyed” fans’ nemesis, owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Chansiri placed the club into administration amid mounting debts, including $pounds{}$1 million to HMRC, and a failure to pay staff in five of the last seven months. The trust blamed his “financial mismanagement” and “lack of accountability” for the “inevitable” outcome.
The 12-point hit leaves the Owls 15 points from safety, with relegation all but confirmed. As a sign of the new era, seats spelling “Chansiri” were quickly removed from the North Stand.
Manager Henrik Pedersen told his “emotional” staff that the club needed a “fresh restart” after months of turmoil. Despite the points gap, he vowed to “keep fighting.”
The Supporters Trust is now calling for a “phase of renewal,” urging fans to end their boycotts. “Every ticket bought… helps the club rebuild,” their statement said.
Picture credit: www.snl.no
