There hasn’t been much good news to celebrate at Sheffield Wednesday of late, but the club is at least solving one looming issue amid all the chaos.
Sheffield Wednesday are the talk of the EFL this summer, for all the wrong reasons. The Owls are in dire straits financially, and are currently restricted by a triple transfer embargo due to unpaid player wages and HMRC bills.
Dejphon Chansiri is at the heart of the problems and the majority of fans in S6 are now desperate for the Thai businessman to sell the club and move on.
There has been positive progress in that regard, with NDAs signed by Chansiri and professionals now overseeing the potential sale.
And now, it seems the club is also taking steps to remedy another big problem, with Hillsborough Stadium set for crucial improvements.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesHillsborough Stadium set for crucial work
As per a report from The Sheffield Star, any threat of the famous ground’s North Stand being condemned amid safety concerns could now be alleviated as a commitment has been made to carry out the necessary work at the stadium ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
It is said there is now hope that a safety certificate will be obtained as plans to repair the roof on the stand take shape.
After a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting in June, there were concerns that the entire North Stand would be deemed unsafe and unusable for the upcoming season, but positive progress has been made and it is said the club has pledged to make this work a priority.
The report adds that drones have been flown over the stadium to identify the necessary repairs, which should be carried out soon.
The safety of the supporters has been described as ‘paramount’ by the club, and despite all the financial struggles at Sheffield Wednesday right now, this is one issue they are not going to allow to drag on, it seems.
Photo by VisionhausHillsborough deserves to be a Premier League stadium
If league status were determined by the scale and devotion of a club’s following alone, Sheffield Wednesday would be a top flight club.
It’s now been 25 years since Sheffield Wednesday were last in the Premier League, and it’s an absence that has been particularly painful at times for fans of the Owls.
But, it’s testament to the loyalty of those fans that their support has never wavered, and the numbers prove it. Last season alone, Hillsborough Stadium boasted the sixth-best average attendance in the Championship, with an average of 26,560 fans flocking to S6.
2024/25 average attendance figures
That’s even more impressive when you consider that, despite a total capacity of 39,859, Hillsborough is only ever allowed 34,835 fans due to safety concerns in the past.
The West Terrace alone currently has a limit of 5,425 as opposed to the original 7,200 capacity, with restrictions imposed after Newcastle United made a complaint in the wake of their FA Cup clash with the Owls in 2023.
With this in mind, the proposed works will be a welcome relief for many who had feared this iconic ground would be further tarnished. It’s a magical stadium on its day, and one which is deserving of top flight football, as are the fans.
If the new owners do come in, there are plans to build a new stadium for Sheffield Wednesday in the hope of competing with the top clubs in the country. One thing’s for sure, though, they’ll need to capture that heart and spirit of the original ground if they want to maintain the incredible legacy of the club.