Sheffield Wednesday have been forced to adjust their matchday operation following a sudden increase in interest for their Championship fixture against Oxford United.
The Owls were placed into administration on Friday to effectively force unpopular owner Dejphon Chansiri out of the club.
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The club have been deducted 12 points to leave them on -6 and rooted to the bottom of the table.
However, a decade after Chansiri first bought the Owls, fans have seen the silver lining in their new situation.
The decision to place the club into administration came with Sheffield Wednesday owing HMRC £1million in unpaid taxes.
Chansiri couldn’t find a solution, so the club placed itself into administration, and it will now lead to the sale of the club.
It has been announced Julian Pitts, Kris Wigfield and Paul Stanley of Begbies Traynor, a Sheffield-based business recovery firm, have been appointed joint administrators of Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield 3 Limited — the company that owns Hillsborough Stadium.
They sent a plea to the fans to get back to the ground and to start spending money in the club shop, and the response has been excellent, with Owls supporters flocking to Hillsborough to buy anything and everything.
And now, after months of boycotts, they are going to be piling into the ground as well to watch their team.
In a statement posted on X, Wednesday said: “A message from Kris Wigfield and the administrators: “First of all, we want to say a huge thank you to all supporters and staff for the backing they have shown over the past 24 hours. The demand for tickets and merchandise has risen exponentially and we’re very grateful.
“The club understandably planned for a reduced attendance this afternoon, but increased demand at short notice has seen staff work tirelessly to ensure staffing levels and stock can meet the demands of a bumper matchday crowd.
“As such, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding at turnstiles and kiosks this afternoon.
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Hillsborough is going to be much busier this afternoonCredit: Getty
“To help with our operation, please arrive early to avoid queues and use our refreshment facilities as soon as possible. Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you all this afternoon.”
They have even set out a matchday schedule for fans to follow.
The players are expected at the ground soon, and they will no doubt be greeted by lots of Wednesday fans.
The supporters have endured some hard times, and though the club is now in administration, Chansiri will be replaced, and that is what they’ve wanted for a long time.
End of an error
The Chansiri reign at Wednesday has been full of shambolic moments.
The players haven’t been paid on time in five of the last seven months, while the squad was cobbled together at the last minute after several departures.
Part of Hillsborough has been shut down due to it not being fit for purpose, while the attendances have steadily dropped.
During the defeat to Middlesbrough in midweek, there were more away supporters than home fans.
The attendances dropped so low that the matchday concession stands were closed due it it not being worth it.
But once administration was confirmed, Wigfield sent out a plea to fans.
“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. This will help stabilise the club while we secure a suitable buyer.
“Supporters are the backbone of any football club. The money they spend at the gate and in the ground is vital. I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1984 and know first-hand the passion of this fanbase.”
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Chansiri’s time as Wednesday owner is effectively overCredit: Getty
Chansiri always maintained he was willing to sell the club, but a deal with former Crystal Palace owner John Textor never progressed past talks.
And as soon as the administration was confirmed, the seats with his name at Hillsborough were removed.
It was live streamed to around 100,000 people, and the club have also changed their badge on social media back to their old one before the Chansiri reign.
And fans are now expected to be there in numbers for the first game since his time at the club was effectively ended.