Dejphon Chansiri ended up with nothing in the end, marking him as one of the worst ever owners in English football. The former Thai owner of Sheffield Wednesday had no choice but to put the club into administration due to an impending winding-up petition over £1.7 million in unpaid tax.
Despite leading Wednesday close to the Premier League in his initial season as owner, Chansiri’s decade-long tenure was marred by disrespect towards the fans. Notably, he displayed his name on seats at Hillsborough, a move now being reversed ahead of the upcoming match against Oxford United.
Fans are rallying to support the club financially, responding to administrators’ pleas by boycotting spending inside the stadium. This financial pressure, combined with dwindling matchday attendance, pushed Chansiri to a breaking point.
The club is now facing a 12-point deduction, placing them at -6 points and on the brink of relegation. The impact of administration extends to employees, creditors, and local businesses owed money by the club.
While the situation appears dire, there is a glimmer of hope as Sheffield 3, the company owning Hillsborough separately, is also in administration. This opens the possibility for the club and the ground to be sold together.
The big question now is who will step in to revive this once-great institution. Despite Chansiri’s failures, there is optimism for a new chapter for Sheffield Wednesday.