After more than half a year in power, Sheffield Wednesday are finally under new ownership and held the biggest party in English football on Saturday.
New Sheffield Wednesday owner and chairman David Storch (Image: Eleanor Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)
“I promise you more water. I promise you hot water.”
These were the words of incoming Sheffield Wednesday chairman David Storch after Arise Capital Partners Group completed the acquisition of the Owls ahead of Saturday’s final-day win over West Brom.
Storch was quick to expose the disrepair that Wednesday had been left in after the disastrous reign of its hapless former owner, Digiphone Chansiri.
Throughout the season, signs have been posted on toilets in Hillsborough’s dilapidated North Stand apologizing for the “sporadic” flow of water. In fact, the flow is not sporadic at all. Faucet doesn’t work at all. And Chansiri didn’t bother to fix them.
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This is a perfect metaphor for how the owls were left to rot under their foolish former caretakers. Storch’s promise drew almost as loud cheers as both goals, and Wednesday finally recorded his first home win of the season with his 23rd goal.
Sheffield Wednesday fans aren’t asking for much. But they want more water. hot water.
But the biggest cheers were replaced by the news that Wednesday will start next season on a level playing field. The Owls start the League One campaign with zero points, which coincidentally is the same number of points they finished this season with.
Chansiri received an 18-point deduction this season for his appointment and failure to pay players, staff and other club members, and it looked like he would be given a further 15-point deduction on Wednesday ahead of the new season.
This was due to Storch’s refusal to meet the £25 creditor provision for Chansiri, who had depleted tens of millions of his personal fortune through 10 years of sheer stupidity in charge of the Yorkshire club.
Fans packed into Hillsboro on Wednesday to celebrate a new dawn (Image: Eleanor Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)
However, after Mr Chansiri showed no desire or ability to negotiate a settlement with his successor, the EFL decided to exercise its discretion under its own guidelines and agree to waive the penalty.
Finally, finally, Chansiri’s stupidity paid off for Sheffield Wednesday.
The announcement in front of a sold-out Hillsboro crowd, the largest of any championship game this season, was awesome in every sense of the word and, frankly, very American.
A countdown from -15 to zero was displayed on the big screen, accompanied by very dramatic music that sounded like an Ant and Dec game show.
Despite promotional activities taking place across the country, the crowd went wild for English football’s biggest party on Saturday.
Decked out in Hawaiian shirts and flower crowns in honor of the “Honolulu Wednesday” chant on the terrace, Owls fans were determined to enjoy the final game of the season no matter what happened on the field.
The fact that they were able to get their second win of the season, and first at home, was a bonus. It was the worst season in English football history.
The Owls, who were relegated in February after a series of disappointing performances, at least avoided the ignominy of becoming the first team to finish with minus points, or going an entire season without a home win.
Now they can look forward. The EFL confirmed that the club is still operating under transfer restrictions, with an embargo in place until January 2027.
However, on Wednesday they will be able to sign players based on an agreed ‘business plan’, the details of which are yet to be revealed. And they will need to do so.
The 2025-26 team, made up of misfits and children, continues to operate under the guidance of coach Henrik Pedersen and will be given a chance to start a new chapter on Wednesday.
Wednesday finally won at home for the 23rd time (Image: Eleanor Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)
But it’s hard to see many of the senior players still at Hillsboro come August. The Owls will need to undergo their biggest team shake-up yet. Coach Storch promised, “We will put a competitive team on the pitch.”
Serenade with cries of “USA!” America! ” Storch said all the right things. “Today we are giving the club back to the fans,” he added. “This is your club and we want you to know that we will work tirelessly on your behalf to be the best stewards you can be.”
It’s chalk and cheese to a fan base that was treated with nothing but contempt and disrespect by the previous owners.
After all, the proof will be in the pudding. But for now, Wednesday fans can dream again. They have their club back and better times are definitely on the horizon.
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