Tom Allen

Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest football clubs in the world, their famous name woven into the tapestry of the game. Formed in 1867, elected to the Football League in 1892, founder members of the Premier League, four times champions of England, three times winners of the FA Cup, and the League Cup once. Such honours may be far back in history but Wednesday remain a powerful force in many lives, in families, communities, in Sheffield and beyond. It would be devastating to Wednesday supporters and deeply damaging to the reputation of English football if Wednesday lost their membership of the EFL because of the behaviour of an owner in Dejphon Chansiri who passed initial EFL ownership tests, was welcomed (let’s not forget), but turned out to be shamelessly irresponsible. Wednesday fans fear the club's existence might be at risk if the EFL imposes further punishments and restrictions that deter potential buyers. Stronger oversight of owners is clearly required and the EFL and PL did tighten their rules in 2023. The new Independent Football Regulator will introduce a proper licensing system for clubs and better oversight of owners. Unfortunately, the IFR did not come into force early enough to prevent Wednesday's downward slide under Chansiri. Wednesday are currently in administration and threatened with further EFL sanctions – a 15-point deduction for next season. This season's 18-point deduction all but guaranteed relegation from the Championship (confirmed on Feb 22). The League applies sanctions as punishment for debts and also as a deterrent to other clubs/owners. The EFL emphasises it is working with all parties to “try and find a solution that can see Sheffield Wednesday continue as a member of the League....but ultimately we have to also apply the terms of the League’s insolvency policy…which seeks to balance the interests, not only of Sheffield Wednesday, but also of the other 71 clubs”. Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust, fighting hard for their club’s survival, has now released a copy of the EFL’s insolvency policy and argues that it gives the League, in the Trust’s words, “absolute discretion when determining how to deal with clubs experiencing an insolvency event”. The Trust argues that “…further punitive sanctions risk undermining the very factors the EFL states it must consider - including the effect on supporters, the impact on the local community and the wider credibility of the league itself. “Sheffield Wednesday supporters are not seeking advantage over other clubs. It is entirely right that all EFL clubs should be treated fairly and consistently. That principle must include Sheffield Wednesday that has already suffered enormously during a decade in which the EFL’s own regulatory oversight failed to prevent the damage that unfolded. “We urge the EFL to apply its own guidance responsibly and ensure that the focus now is on allowing the club to recover, stabilise and move forward under new ownership. Sheffield Wednesday supporters have suffered enough.” #SWFC #EFL @SWFCTrust

To bargain with the -15 points, the Storch group should say to the EFL all the creditors will be paid in full except Chansiri, he won’t get a penny. So everyone who affect by him will be resolved #swfc

@DaleJohnsonBBC Surely he would, If he supposedly cares / loves the club like he says he and his family does, it’s the tiny bit of respect he could get back.

@DaleJohnsonBBC Any chance of Chansiri doing the honourable thing and withdrawing his claim? Someone must have phoned / emailed to ask

Handful of tweet on Sheffield Wednesday's situation with regards to minus points & fee / wage restrictions next season. Not a pretty read, but there's been a fair bit of misunderstanding over recent weeks. In short, the chances of avoiding -15 are virtually non-existent. #swfc

@GoalShort Definitely be his last spiteful act on us

@tomswfc91 Yes he can. If he’s actually getting nothing out of the deal, why would he carry on? Just of spite?

Can Chansiri pull out of his claim, so it doesn’t affect the club with -15 next season? Highly doubt he would, he probably ask for more if he could. #swfc

Jerry Yates definitely wants to be at Wednesday next season #swfc

What’s palmer doing there #swfc

Get Lowe off, slows the tempo down, very sluggish. Give Moses or Grainger some experience and see where their at for next season #swfc

McNeil is not a wing back, no defensive awareness #swfc

If we’ve ended up getting a million pound and a sell on clause for Cadamarteri then it’s a decent deal #swfc

@VitalWednesday Cadz and Valery out 2x loans in (cb / cm)

Under 24 hours to go in the January transfer window. Being realistic- what do you expect in terms of ins and outs? #swfc

@Owl79Oli @GazRobinson1 Stepped away from it all

What happened to @GazRobinson1 , been very quiet on X without him?

New owners aren't to blame. Administrators aren't to blame. Henrik and players aren't to blame. One man is. Chansiri. He won't go down as a successful businessman Hell be remembered for the rest of his life as a rich daddy's boy who destroyed a huge historical football club #swfc

We might aswell get as much money we can for players who don’t want to be here for the re build / league one or who’s contracts are up in the summer #swfc

Can see why clubs can see potential in Alao #swfc

@masonoliverswfc @HarryMiiddleton @AlexJPMiller 😂😂😂😂

@HarryMiiddleton @tomswfc91 @AlexJPMiller Thanks for clearing that one up!

🚨Expecting Sheffield Wednesday to complete a loan deal for Man City youngster Jaden Heskey. Told per sources a deal is close. As reported, Heskey deal was agreed in summer before recruitment restrictions became clear. Owls closing in on deal for GK Murphy Cooper too. #SWFC🦉

Seen as Charles can’t use his arms, can he play Cm till they’re better? #swfc

I feel the admin team got everyone’s expectations to high, thinking the bids would come. When in reality the people who wanted us, wanted to buy us for next to nothing, due to the huge amount of money it will take to get us up to at least an average standard football club #swfc