English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday file for administration

Championship club Sheffield Wednesday have filed for administration, according to a court filing, which will result in the already struggling side being hit with a 12-point deduction.

The South Yorkshire club currently sit bottom of the Championship, the second tier of English football, with just six points from 11 games.

Known as The Owls, Wednesday are one of the oldest surviving clubs in world football, with more than 150 years of history.

Court records confirm the club have filed for administration. A notice was filed at a specialist court at 10.01am.

What has happened?

The Owls, who host Oxford United on Saturday, have been in turmoil for a long time.

On 3 June, owner Dejphon Chansiri, a Thai canned fish magnate who took over the club in 2015, was charged with breaching EFL regulations regarding payment obligations.

Weeks later, Mr Chansiri said he was willing to sell the club in a statement on their official website.

Their crisis deepened just days later when another embargo was imposed on the club relating to payments owed to HMRC, before players and staff were not paid on time on 30 June.

In the months that followed, forwards Josh Windass and Michael Smith left the club by mutual consent. Manager Danny Rohl, now at Rangers, also left by mutual consent.

The Owls were forced to close the 9,255-capacity North Stand at Hillsborough after a Prohibition Notice was issued by Sheffield City Council.

‘First step to getting our Wednesday back’

A statement from Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust said: “Today marks one of the most bittersweet days in our club’s proud 158-year history.

“Entering administration was the inevitable outcome of years of financial mismanagement, a lack of accountability, and repeated failures to engage credible buyers. Administration is not something to be celebrated. It needn’t have ended this way. But we are overjoyed to have Dejphon Chansiri out of our club for good.

“Administration represents a necessary turning point. With the club now totally out of Chansiri’s hands, this may be the first step to getting our Wednesday back. It closes an era defined by poor decisions and deep divisions, both on and off the pitch. Once Hillsborough is recovered from his ownership, Chansiri’s influence will finally be consigned to history, a regrettable chapter in Sheffield Wednesday’s long and storied history.

“We understand that this news will bring uncertainty and anxiety about what lies ahead. Yet there is every reason for calm optimism.

“The appointed administrators are highly experienced professionals, including one who has been a Sheffield Wednesday season ticket holder for decades. The Trust has already opened dialogue with them and will play a full part in safeguarding the long-term survival and sustainable future of our club.

“Now, more than ever, Wednesdayites must stand together, patient, proud, and focused on rebuilding a football club that truly represents Sheffield: honest, sustainable, and ambitious. We have shown over the last few months the power of being organised and standing together as a set of supporters. We have shown that a football club is worth nothing without its fans. This has also shown the passion we can offer to new owners, if they can harness our support in the right way.

“The Trust expects strong interest from prospective buyers. However, should a suitable sale not materialise, supporters can be assured that, for the last few months, we have been working to develop a credible, fan-led takeover proposal. This ensures that even in the worst-case scenario, the threat of liquidation will not be an option.

“The Trust will continue to keep supporters fully informed and outline the practical steps every fan can take to help secure a brighter future for our club. Together, we will rebuild, stronger, fairer, and forever proud to be Wednesday.”

‘Current uncertainty’

On 6 August, the EFL released a statement, saying: “We are clear that the current owner needs either to fund the club to meet its obligations or make good on his commitment to sell to a well-funded party, for fair market value – ending the current uncertainty and impasse.”

On 13 August, the Prohibition Notice was lifted, but a month later, news emerged of a winding-up petition over £1m owed to HMRC.

Last season, Wednesday finished 12th. They had already been placed under registration embargoes in the last two seasons after being hit by a six-point deduction during the 2020/21 campaign, for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

With a 12-point deduction, the Owls would be 15 points away from safety in the Championship.