Sheffield Wednesday have officially entered administration, resulting in an immediate 12-point deduction by the EFL.
The financial crisis came to a head after it was revealed that His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) was preparing a winding-up petition against the club.

Joint administrators Julian Pitts, Kris Wigfield and Paul Stanley from Begbies Traynor have been appointed to oversee operations and seek new ownership. Players and staff were briefed on the situation, and despite the turmoil, the Owls are still set to host Oxford United at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon.

In a statement, the EFL said administration provided “the opportunity to move matters towards a successful sale and secure future under new ownership.”

The development brings an end to Dejphon Chansiri’s decade-long ownership. The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust (SWST) has confirmed that its match boycott has now been lifted. The club also removed the seats spelling out Chansiri’s name from the North Stand on Friday.

‘Efforts to Find a Buyer Failed’ – Club Statement

In their official statement, the club said administrators were appointed “following significant efforts to agree a sale to a credible future custodian in recent weeks which unfortunately could not be concluded and amid rising pressure from creditors.”

The move marks a dramatic turn for the historic Yorkshire side, who now sit bottom of the Championship with a points total of -6 following the deduction.

Administrators Outline Immediate Priorities

Joint administrator Kris Wigfield explained the group’s focus:
“The joint administrators have taken over the running of the club with immediate effect to protect the interests of creditors, and to ensure Sheffield Wednesday can continue operating while we seek a new owner as swiftly as possible.”

He added that like many football clubs, Wednesday had “been trading at a significant loss for many years, with those losses historically funded by the owner,” but Mr Chansiri was “no longer willing to provide that financial support.”

Wigfield acknowledged that while the fan boycott did not directly cause insolvency, it had increased financial pressure.
“Now, more than ever, we need fans back in the ground – buying tickets, merchandise, pies and pints. Every penny spent will go directly to supporting the day-to-day running of this club, not to the former owner or professional costs.”

No Disruption Expected to Fixtures

Fellow administrator Paul Stanley assured supporters that matches will continue as planned:
“There should be no interruption to the fixture schedule and we are in close contact with the EFL to ensure the effects of this administration on the employees, supporters, the community and the players are minimised as far as possible.”

He stressed the club’s stature and the importance of fan backing:
“Sheffield Wednesday is a massive, historic club with a loyal fanbase in a city that lives and breathes football. If more fans return to Hillsborough, the club can cover its day-to-day costs and move towards a viable sale to a new ownership capable of restoring long-term stability.”

Fan Boycott Ends as Supporters Rally

Following confirmation of administration, the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust announced that their boycott of home matches was officially over.

Board member Rob Brookes said:
“Communications are going out as we speak to completely reverse the boycott situation. We’re trying to get as many people back into the ground, back into the club shop, and back onto the concourse. We hope it will be a bumper crowd tomorrow.”

The call to return marks a shift in tone from the fanbase, which had been vocal in its opposition to Chansiri’s running of the club in recent months.

Government Reaction and Push for Regulation

The situation has caught the attention of the government. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the crisis reinforced the need for football’s new independent regulator:
“For the fans, staff and players of Sheffield Wednesday this is an extremely worrying situation. Owners should be good custodians who act with their club’s best interests in mind – clearly, in this instance, that has not been the case.”

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the Football Governance Act, which became law in July, giving powers to the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) led by David Kogan.

An IFR spokesperson added:
“It is unacceptable that fans of football clubs face this level of uncertainty. Our regime will work to prevent instability and protect clubs for the benefit of supporters and their communities.”

From Promotion Dreams to Financial Ruin: The Chansiri Years

Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri took ownership of Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 with bold ambitions to return the club to the Premier League for the first time since 2000.

The closest they came was the 2016 Championship play-off final, losing to Hull City. Since then, the club’s fortunes have steadily declined. They were relegated to League One in 2021 following a six-point deduction for breaching financial rules.

Under Darren Moore, Wednesday clawed their way back to the Championship in 2023, but instability continued. Moore’s departure, followed by Danny Rohl’s brief tenure before he left for Rangers, highlighted the deep-rooted problems at Hillsborough.

Reports of delayed wage payments and multiple EFL embargoes further eroded trust between ownership and fans. Protests, pitch invasions, and mass boycotts have since defined the club’s relationship with its supporters.

A Historic Club at a Crossroads

Now, as administrators work to secure a buyer, Sheffield Wednesday face one of the most pivotal moments in their 157-year history.

With creditors registering claims and talks already underway with potential investors, the message from administrators and fans alike is clear – the club’s survival depends on unity, transparency, and renewed backing from its supporters.

As Wigfield put it: “With the right ownership structure, we are confident the club has a bright future and will meet all EFL regulatory obligations.”

For now, Hillsborough prepares for a new chapter – one that the fanbase hopes will finally bring stability, accountability, and pride back to this storied football institution.