Sheffield Wednesday are finally under new ownership after over six months in administration and threw the biggest party in English football on Saturday.
New Owner Promises Hot Water
New Sheffield Wednesday owner and chairman David Storch declared: "We promise you more water. We promise you hot water." Those were the words of incoming Sheffield Wednesday chairman David Storch after his Arise Capital Partners group completed their takeover of the Owls prior to their final-day victory over West Brom on Saturday.
Storch immediately laid bare the disrepair Wednesday had been left in following the disastrous reign of hapless ex-owner Dejphon Chansiri. There have been signs up in the toilets of Hillsborough's ailing North Stand all season, apologising for the 'sporadic' flow of water. The fact is, the flow isn't sporadic at all. The taps just don't work. And Chansiri couldn't be bothered to fix them.
It's a perfect metaphor for how the Owls had been left to rot under their dopey former custodian. Storch's promise received almost as loud a cheer as both goals as Wednesday finally recorded their first home win of the season at the 23rd time of asking. Sheffield Wednesday fans don't ask for much. But they would like more water. Hot water.
Level Playing Field for Next Season
The biggest cheer, however, was reserved for the news that Wednesday would be starting next season on a level playing field. The Owls will kick off their League One campaign on zero points, coincidentally the same number as they finished this season with. Despite being deducted 18 points this term for entering into administration and various other missed payments to players, staff and other clubs by Chansiri, it looked as if Wednesday would be hit with another 15-point sanction ahead of the new campaign. This was owing to Storch and co not being willing to meet the 25p in the pound creditor rule to Chansiri who had frittered away tens of millions of his own money through a decade of sheer stupidity in charge of the Yorkshire club.
But, after Chansiri showed a complete unwillingness and inability to negotiate a settlement with his successors, the EFL decided to exercise discretion in their own guidelines and agree to waive the penalty. Finally, finally Chansiri's idiocy came to Sheffield Wednesday's benefit.
Celebration at Hillsborough
The announcement before a sellout Hillsborough crowd, the biggest at any Championship fixture this season, was over the top in every way and frankly very American. A countdown from -15 all the way to zero appeared on the big screen accompanied by some very dramatic music like something from an Ant and Dec game show. It whipped the crowd into a frenzy for what was English football's biggest party on Saturday, despite promotions elsewhere up and down the country.
Adorned in Hawaiian shirts and floral garlands in homage to their terrace chant 'Honolulu Wednesday', Owls fans were determined to enjoy the season finale whatever happened on the pitch. The fact they finally managed a win, just their second of the season and their first at home, was a bonus. It's been the worst season in English football history.
Relegated in February with a bunch of unwanted records along the way, the Owls at least avoided the ignominy of becoming the first side to finish on negative points, or go an entire season without a home win. Now, they can look forward. The EFL confirmed that the club are still operating under transfer restrictions, with an embargo still live until January 2027. But Wednesday will be able to sign players under an agreed 'business plan', details of which are not yet known. And they will need to.
Future Prospects
Their 2025-26 squad of misfits and kids has kept going under the managerial guidance of Henrik Pedersen, who looks set to be given the chance of taking Wednesday into their new dawn. But it's hard to see many of the senior players still being at Hillsborough come August. The Owls are going to have to undertake one of the biggest squad overhauls ever seen. "We will put a competitive team on the pitch," Storch promised.
Serenaded by bellowing chants of 'USA! USA!', Storch said all the right things. "Today, we return the club to the fans," he added. "This is your club. I want you to know that we will work tirelessly to be the best stewards on your behalf." It's chalk and cheese for a fanbase who had been treated with nothing but contempt and disrespect from their previous owner. Ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding. But, for now, Wednesday fans can dare to dream again. They have their club back and better times are surely on the horizon.
