Alex MacQuoid
Sheffield Wednesday’s joint administrator reveals strong interest from potential buyers
Sheffield Wednesday could have new owners by the end of the year, according to joint administrator Kris Wigfield. The club, currently in administration, has attracted serious interest from four or five potential buyers.
Wigfield is leading the search for new ownership after Dejphon Chansiri placed the Championship club into administration last Friday. The club must remain on the market for 28 days under EFL rules, but Wigfield claims they have already received concrete interest.
Speaking to BBC 5 Live’s Wake Up to Money programme, Wigfield expressed hope that new owners could be in place in time for the January transfer window. He outlined the criteria for potential buyers:
“As always, you get a lot of interested parties that probably aren’t going to meet the criteria, but within the numerous inquiries we’ve had, we certainly think that there are already four or five interested parties that look like the real deal.”
“There are two criteria that new owners basically need to satisfy to then open dialogue and there to be an opportunity where they can make an offer.”
“The first thing is they need to show the administrators that they could make the football club viable. So they’ve got to show that they’ve got sufficient funds to be able to fund it for the next few years.”
“And secondly, we have to be satisfied that they will pass the EFL fit and proper persons test, and if they can satisfy both of those, then we’ll start talking to them seriously.”
Wigfield hopes the sale process will move quickly, with a group potentially achieving preferred-bidder status next month. He aims to complete the purchase before the end of the year, allowing new owners to sign players in January.
“Due to EFL rules, we have to market the club for 28 days,” he said. “So it’ll be at least 28 days before we’re getting close to a preferred-bidder status.”
“I’m hopeful that by the end of November, if things go well, we might know who’s going to buy the football club.”
“Then hopefully a deal can be concluded this calendar year, so that the new owner is in for… the January transfer window, if the EFL allows the new owner to buy players.”
Fans return in force despite recent loss
Sheffield Wednesday fans returned in their thousands on Saturday after their previous boycott. A season’s best crowd of 27,261 witnessed the Owls’ 2-1 loss to Oxford at Hillsborough.
Wigfield highlighted the fans’ financial support, stating they have already spent over £500,000 on tickets and in the club shop to keep the Owls going. He emphasized the need for continued support to pay wages and cover expenses.
“We had no money to start with, but the fans have already put in over half a million pounds since Friday through buying tickets and merchandise.”
“So the response has been incredible, but we need to keep raising money to be able to pay the wages next Friday.”
“So more tickets are going on sale for the next home games today and we need the fans to keep purchasing stuff. It’s quite a difficult circumstance, but that’s what we need.”