Why Sheffield Wednesday administrator feels Norwich City clash means 'more than football' for Owls | OneFootball

Owls supporters have been urged to pack out Hillsborough once more.

Sheffield Wednesday administrator and lifelong supporter, Kris Wigfield, has issued a passionate message ahead of Wednesday night's clash with Norwich City at Hillsborough.

The Owls currently find themselves under the stewardship of Wigfield and his partners, Paul Stanley and Julian Pitts of Begbies Traynor, who took control of the club for a short-term period after it was placed into administration by former controversial owner, Dejphon Chansiri on October 24th.

Despite being placed into such measures, Wednesday supporters have viewed it as an opportunity to rally behind Henrik Pedersen and his threadbare squad more than ever, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds through the sales of tickets and official club merchandise as they celebrated the fact Chansiri's hold on the club has effectively been relinquished.

The Owls have played two Championship encounters since being placed into administration, and they were able to pick up their first point since being hit with an automatic 12-point deduction by the EFL at the end of last month.

Pedersen's side have moved on to -5 points following Saturday's respectable goalless draw at play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion, albeit they are now some 17 points from safety after the weekend's results, making relegation to League One an effective certainty - an outcome which was also predicted by many associated with the club and the vast majority of outsiders.

As such, the trio of administrators, players, management, staff and supporters are utilising the current period as a time to instill some much-needed stability into the Steel City outfit, albeit they are unlikely to be taken over until at least midway through November due to EFL expectations.

However, the upcoming clash with the Canaries is being viewed as 'Blue & White Night' in S6, with Wigfield and his partners introducing measures to make it another special occasion.

The upcoming clash is also a meeting of the division's bottom clubs, with Norwich rooted to 23rd place following a 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday, leaving Liam Manning under intensifying pressure at Carrow Road.

Whilst recently confirming that all players, staff and bills had been paid ahead of schedule for October, the trio of administrators also revised ticket prices for the upcoming fixture at Hillsborough, with the most expensive seats now just £30 for an adult in the South Stand.

After a mass boycott was seen against Middlesbrough on October 22nd, the attendance for the 2-1 defeat against Oxford United just three days later read 27,261 as Wednesdayites celebrated Chansiri's exit in many ways, with Wigfield hoping similar feats can be achieved against Norwich.

Wigfield has urged supporters to turn up in their thousands once more after at least £500,000 had been raised through ticket and merchandise sales, whilst the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust had committed a further £20,000 in order to help stabilise the club whilst a new buyer is found.

In a statement released to the club's official website on Sunday morning, he expressed his pride towards all associated with the club.

"It’s been an emotional week for everyone connected with Sheffield Wednesday," Wigfield began.

"The players showed incredible heart at West Brom, and the supporters have shown heart all week — through everything you’ve done for this club.

"Now it’s time to bring that same fight home. On Wednesday 5 November, we return to Hillsborough for Blue & White Night — and this one means more than just football," he explained.

"I know it’s Bonfire Night. I know there are other places you could be.

"But this is our night, and it’s definitely our fight — a night to light up Hillsborough with pride, passion, and belief," Wigfield claimed.

"The team gave everything on the pitch at West Brom, and they’ll give everything again on Wednesday.

"What they need now is you — a full, loud, together Hillsborough behind them," the administrator added.

After explaining what new measures had been put in place to enhance the matchday experience, such as food and drink bundles, Wigfield rounded off the emotion-filled statement with: "Every single ticket helps. Each of you can make a difference. This club is fighting — and together, we’ll get through this to a bright future."

Kris Wigfield message will echo thoughts of every Sheffield Wednesday supporter

Having held a season-ticket at Hillsborough for over 40 years, Wigfield will echo the thoughts of each and every Wednesday supporter with the aforementioned statement.

It is yet another chance for the club to showcase the potential at its disposal should a new owner come in with a fresh injection of funds and stability.

The administrators have stated they need to be shown at least £50m as proof of funds from new buyers, of which three parties believe they can do exactly that as a bidding war looks set to begin, including the likes of John McEvoy, John Textor and Mike Ashley.

Wednesday's clash is also one in which Pedersen and his side will fancy their chances of picking up a first home league win since April, with their opponents winless since August 30th, albeit Norwich's two successes have both come away from Carrow Road.