Kris Wigfield drops Sheffield Wednesday message after David Storch seals takeover | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday administrator Kris Wigfield has delivered a message to Owls fans following the completion of David Storch's takeover

Sheffield Wednesday supporters enjoyed a memorable occasion on Saturday afternoon as the Owls ended an otherwise woeful campaign on an incredible high.

David Storch's Arise consortium completed their Wednesday takeover on Friday, steering the South Yorkshire club out of administration and towards a brighter future.

That significant development meant that the sell-out crowd were in a celebratory mood at Hillsborough Stadium on Saturday, even before their side beat West Bromwich Albion.

Henrik Pedersen's men hadn't won on home soil this term until their 2-0 victory over West Brom, which came thanks to goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and Liam Palmer.

Kris Wigfield delivers Sheffield Wednesday message as David Storch era begins

Wednesday's triumph over the Baggies meant that the Owls have finished the Championship season on zero points, having been deducted 18 points this term, thanks to former owner Dejphon Chansiri.

The South Yorkshire club's last win before beating James Morrison's side came back in September, when they enjoyed a 2-0 victory at Portsmouth.

Wednesday's return of just two wins from 46 Championship outings is indicative of the struggles they endured this campaign, both on and off the field.

The Hillsborough Stadium side's ability to win games was heavily damaged last summer, when several key players left, thanks to the fact that Chansiri repeatedly failed to pay wages on time.

Owls legend Barry Bannan subsequently departed S6 in the winter transfer window, and is now tasked with helping Millwall reach the Premier League via the play-offs.

Meanwhile, following Storch's takeover, Wednesday administrator and supporter Kris Wigfield took to X on Saturday as he wrote: "Job done. Back to my seat in August. UTO."

Wigfield's words were accompanied by an image of himself alongside Storch, celebrating the Owls' fresh chapter outside Hillsborough Stadium.

Sheffield Wednesday can launch League One promotion bid following positive point deduction twist

Owls supporters were already in a celebratory mood on Saturday, as a sell-out crowd arrived at Hillsborough Stadium in Hawaiian fancy dress to mark 'Honolulu Wednesday', while news of the takeover further enhanced the joyous atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the South Yorkshire outfit discovered ahead of their clash with West Brom that they will not be handed a points deduction in League One next season.

Wednesday were at risk of being deducted 15 points next term because Storch's bid fell below the amount required to pay creditors 25p in the pound.

Failed owner Chansiri was the main creditor, but the Thai businessman was not willing to discuss a solution with Storch that could wipe the 15-point penalty.

However, the EFL confirmed on Saturday that the Owls would not face a deduction, with the governing body of the Championship, League One, and League Two stating that the situation was 'an incredibly challenging and complex situation for all parties.'

Wednesday will be under budget restrictions for the next two seasons, but the fact that they are no longer facing a 15-point penalty will help them launch a promotion bid next term.

Storch was always intent on completing his takeover by 1 May to ensure that the Owls could be active in the summer transfer window, and supporters will be delighted that he was able to stick to that deadline.