Sheffield Wednesday FC have officially entered administration, triggering an automatic 12-point deduction in the EFL Championship, the English Football League confirmed on Friday. The move signals the end of Dejphon Chansiri’s troubled decade-long ownership of the historic South Yorkshire club.
The decision comes after His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) prepared to issue a winding-up petition over unpaid debts. The financial crisis pushed the club into insolvency, forcing Wednesday to appoint Julian Pitts, Kris Wigfield, and Paul Stanley of Begbies Traynor as joint administrators.
The Owls, who were already struggling at the foot of the Championship table, now drop to -6 points ahead of Saturday’s clash against Oxford United at Hillsborough.
EFL: Administration Opens Door for New Ownership
In a statement, the EFL said that while the points deduction is automatic, the administration process “creates an opportunity to move matters toward a successful sale and a secure future under new ownership.”
The club’s statement confirmed that administration followed “significant efforts to agree a sale to a credible future custodian in recent weeks,” but negotiations broke down “amid rising pressure from creditors.”
Seats bearing Chansiri’s name in the North Stand were removed on Friday afternoon — a symbolic end to an era that began in 2015 but ended in controversy and fan revolt.
Administrators Aim to Secure Sale and Stabilize Operations
Speaking to the media, Kris Wigfield, managing partner at Begbies Traynor and lifelong Wednesday fan, vowed to protect the club’s legacy and stabilize finances.
“The joint administrators have taken over the running of the club with immediate effect to protect creditors’ interests and ensure Sheffield Wednesday continues to operate while we seek a new owner as swiftly as possible,” Wigfield said.
He acknowledged that the club had been trading at a loss for many years, heavily dependent on Chansiri’s financial support — support that has now been withdrawn.
“The recent fan boycott hasn’t directly caused the insolvency, but it has increased financial pressure,” Wigfield added. “Now, more than ever, we need fans back at Hillsborough. Every ticket, pie, and pint sold helps fund the club’s day-to-day running and not the former owner.”
Joint administrator Paul Stanley assured supporters that fixtures will continue as scheduled.
“There should be no interruption to the fixture list,” he said. “Sheffield Wednesday is a massive, historic club with a passionate fanbase. With the right ownership, this club has a bright future.”
Fan Boycott Ends: Supporters Trust Calls for Full Backing
Following confirmation of administration, the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust (SWST) immediately ended their matchday boycott and urged fans to return to Hillsborough.
“We’re completely reversing the boycott,” said Rob Brookes, SWST board member. “We’re encouraging fans to come back, support the team, and spend money at the ground. Tomorrow should be a bumper crowd.”
The boycott, which had seen empty stands and protests against Chansiri’s ownership, was launched amid anger over unpaid wages, transfer embargoes, and a lack of transparency.
Government Responds: Case Highlights Need for Football Regulator
The UK government acknowledged the club’s financial crisis, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy describing it as “an extremely worrying situation” for fans and staff.
“Having experienced this with my own team, Wigan Athletic, I know how distressing this is,” Nandy said. “This reinforces the need for an Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to ensure owners act in the best interests of their clubs.”
The Football Governance Act, which came into law in July, established the IFR, chaired by David Kogan, who has described Wednesday’s plight as a “significant problem” for English football.
An IFR spokesperson confirmed they are working closely with the government to expedite their powers:
“It’s unacceptable that fans face this level of uncertainty. Our regime will aim to prevent instability and protect clubs for the benefit of supporters and their communities.”
The Fall of an Era: Chansiri’s Turbulent Tenure
Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri bought Sheffield Wednesday in 2015, promising Premier League football. His early years saw promise, including a 2016 Championship play-off final appearance, but persistent financial mismanagement soon eroded fan trust.
Under Chansiri’s ownership:
- The club suffered a six-point deduction in 2021 for breaching EFL spending rules.
- Wages went unpaid multiple times in 2023 and 2024.
- The team endured five embargoes in the past year.
- Fan protests and boycotts grew amid mounting debts and mismanagement.
Manager Danny Rohl briefly stabilized the club before departing for Rangers in July. His assistant, Henrik Pedersen, has since taken charge despite being unable to strengthen the squad due to financial restrictions.
What Happens Next?
The administrators are now inviting offers from interested buyers, with multiple parties already expressing preliminary interest. Their immediate goal is to keep the club solvent and competitive while ensuring staff and player wages are paid.
If a buyer is secured, Sheffield Wednesday could emerge stronger — though climbing out of administration and rebuilding trust with fans will be a long process.
For now, the focus turns back to Hillsborough, where the fans — the heart and soul of the club — will be called upon once more to help keep their team alive.
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