Prospective Sheffield Wednesday owners sent clear warning by journalist about what Owls fans need | OneFootball

Journalist Rob Staton has fired a warning to any prospective new owners at Sheffield Wednesday, as they target promotion from League One next season.

Sheffield Wednesday's prospective takeover was hit with another frustrating update recently, with James Bord's withdrawal of his official bid for the Championship club.

It now means that the club have been in administration for four months, and there's growing concern from some sections of the club's fanbase heading towards the final few months of the 2025/26 season about where and when the new owners will take over proceedings.

It's been a hugely frustrating few years for everyone associated with Sheffield Wednesday, with the main focus in recent years in particular being on off-field troubles caused by former owner, Dejphon Chansiri.

Late wage payments have seemingly disrupted any sort of momentum that the Sheffield Wednesday players were looking to build, but results on the pitch haven't been good enough either.

The Owls are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table, and have already had their relegation into the third-tier of English football confirmed after a defeat to local rivals, Sheffield United.

Recently, it's been reported by the Irish News, via the Press Association that new bids to purchase the club are expected by Friday, with former Newcastle United owner, Mike Ashley being one of those expected to table an official bid, although it won't be Ashley directly working on the bid, with his Frasers Group company dealing with a potential deal.

Former Sunderland chief executive Charlie Methven is another name linked with a potential bid for Sheffield Wednesday, with the Sheffield Star's Alex Miller revealing their interest, although it's claimed that a deal could be tough to agree given the time constraints.

Staton outlines Sheffield Wednesday expectations for new owners

Speaking on BBC Sheffield, Senior Sports Journalist Rob Staton outlined exactly what any prospective new owner should be looking to do at the earliest of opportunities.

"You need to be a football club moving forward. You've got to engage your fanbase. Look how Sheffield Wednesday came together when administrations set up. That's the kind of togetherness and atmosphere the new owner's got to recreate now.

"They've got to take everybody on a journey. They can't be saying 'we know best, you're customers, like it or lump it', which has felt a lot like Chansiri's approach. They have to engage the fans and take them on a journey."

Attendances at Hillsborough have been slowly decreasing over the years, and who can blame the Sheffield Wednesday fanbase? It's been a miserable few years under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri, and with results on the pitch matching the frustrating atmosphere inside Hillsborough, it's hugely important that new owners get the fans on their side relatively quickly.

League One provides a fresh start for the Owls

Obviously relegation isn't something that any team wants to face, but the writing was on the wall for Sheffield Wednesday this season, as their off-field issues caught up with them.

They're a club with a sizeable stature in English football, and if the financial side of things can be addressed by the prospective new owners swiftly, then you would imagine that any potential signings could be tempted by a move to Hillsborough, especially if the Owls are on the right track to secure a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

The third-tier still has some notable teams battling it out to win promotion, and so it won't be a simple task to return to the Championship, but with smart recruitment, and much-needed off-field stability, Sheffield Wednesday are more than capable of challenging at the right end of the table next season.