The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust has declared an end to its “phase of resistance” and the beginning of a “phase of renewal” after owner Dejphon Chansiri placed the club into administration. The trust is now urging all fans to end their boycotts and return to Hillsborough to support the club.
The call to action comes on a “bittersweet” day that saw Chansiri’s exit, a move fans are “overjoyed” with, but also incurred a 12-point EFL penalty. The deduction leaves Wednesday on -6 points, 15 points adrift of safety, with relegation seeming almost certain.
The administration follows “years of financial mismanagement” under Chansiri. The club reportedly owes $pounds{}$1 million in taxes and has repeatedly failed to pay staff and players, a situation that caused former manager Danny Röhl and key players to depart in the summer.
Administrator Begbies Traynor is now in control, tasked with finding a new owner “as swiftly as possible.” They will market the club and Hillsborough stadium as a combined package, which they called “great news for supporters.”
Manager Henrik Pedersen echoed the trust’s forward-looking sentiment. He called the move a “fresh restart” and, despite the points deficit, vowed to “keep fighting” for survival, stating he has “a big belief” in his players.