Sheffield Wednesday fans sent hopeful messages for the future as potential new American owners became the latest preferred bidders for the club’s takeover.
American billionaire investor David Storch and his group Arise Capital Partners LLC have reportedly moved ahead of former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley in the bidding process for Sheffield Wednesday.
Storch, his son, Michael, and business partner Tom Costin were in Sheffield earlier last week and had meetings with the Wednesday staff, officials and members of the Wednesday Supporters’ Trust.
The 73-year-old hopes that his group can bring the team back on track after some stormy years, especially this season when The Owls went into administration in October and received an 18-point deduction.
More recently, the English Football League (EFL) has suggested a 15-point deduction could be in play going into the 2026/27 League One season.
Fred, a Sheffield Wednesday fan at the Saturday game against Ipswich Town, said: “I think the 15-point deduction is unfair, both on the fans and the players. They’re not at fault.
“The EFL needs to look at themselves very closely to find a different system for punishing clubs. It’s not the club’s fault, it’s not the supporters fault, it’s not the player’s fault. So why should they be made to suffer?
“If the takeover goes through, hopefully, it will be nice to start on a level playing field, because Sheffield Wednesday haven’t been on a level playing field for many years now.”
Storch’s takeover will likely not help Sheffield Wednesday avoid the point penalty, as he and other bidders are not willing to pay Dejphon Chansiri the money he is owed.
Although many fans are not happy to start the next season in the minus, they are confident the team can overcome this deficit and head into a more stable future with a new ownership.
James, a fan at Hillsborough stadium, spoke out on the deduction: “It’s difficult with minus 15 points. I think we’ll probably struggle next year, but I think they’ll get themselves together and then maybe a year after look to get promotion.”
He also hopes David Storch will not replicate Chansiri’s mistake if he becomes the new owner of the club. He said: “Listen to the fans. I know they seem to be doing well with what they’ve done with some sports franchises, but hopefully they’ve got people that they can put in who know about football and not do what Chansiri did and try and just do it himself.”
Stephen, another Sheffield die-hard, sent a big message to the American businessman: He said: “Get your hands in your pockets, because you’ve got to have big pockets for this club, I tell you. But if he does, he’s got a good fan base. Fans will be behind him, and it’ll be bouncing in that stadium. But he needs money.”
Storch’s camp returned to the USA from Sheffield on Saturday. He posted a message on X, with the handle @storchyowl, to Owls’ fans upon his arrival:
“I want to thank the wonderful city of Sheffield, the local community members we met, the Supporters’ Trust and the Sheffield Wednesday fans for making us feel so incredibly welcome.
“We are listening to and collaborating with talented Wednesdayites across the city to ensure we deliver a best in class fan experience.
“Whilst we continue to work diligently to become stewards of this unique and historic club, please know that we will be doing everything we can in the interest of a “Better Wednesday” and a brighter future for everyone associated with Sheffield Wednesday.”
Whoever becomes the owner of Sheffield Wednesday, the fans all hope to see practical actions instead of words, as one senior fan said: “Talk is cheap, actions, we want.”
