Sheffield Wednesday fans told to “protest against that” after Charlie Methven spotted at Hillsborough | OneFootball

Charlie Methven was spotted at Hillsborough on Wednesday night during the Owls' clash with Norwich City

Images of former Charlton Athletic and Sunderland chief executive, Charlie Methven, watching Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with lowly Norwich City on Wednesday night have circulated on social media, dividing opinion amongst the relevant fanbases as a result.

In what was dubbed as 'Blue and White night' at Hillsborough by the Owls' current administrators, Begbies Traynor, Henrik Pedersen's side took a first-half lead through another strike which captain and club icon, Barry Bannan, could add to his collection of world-class finishes, before they were pegged back early in the second period through Mathias Kvistgaarden's second goal for the Canaries.

Recent developments in S6 have been well-documented, with the Championship's bottom club hopeful that a deal can swiftly be agreed with a new buyer to take the club out of administration, having been placed into such measures by former controversial owner, Dejphon Chansiri, on October 24th.

Supporters have since used the past two-week period to celebrate the fact Chansiri's spell in the boardroom is all-but over, spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on official merchandise and ticket sales to help stabilise the club in the interim, before the administrators hope to eventually take the club off the market.

Several high-profile parties have been credited with interest, such as John Textor, Mike Ashley and John McEvoy, and whilst it remains to be fully seen if Methven is looking to join a 'double-figure' queue, with at least three parties also able to showcase proof of at least £50m in funds, his presence at Hillsborough in midweek certainly sparked debate.

Charlie Methven images at Hillsborough for Sheffield Wednesday vs Norwich City has divided opinion

The 49-year-old has become well-known in the EFL ether in recent years, along with his love for Wednesday's divisional rivals, Oxford United who, ironically, were their first opponents after being put in administration and being hit with a 12-point deduction.

In May 2018, Methven was a key figure in the deal which saw Stewart Donald take over as Black Cats chairman following back-to-back relegations into League One, acquiring a five percent stake of his own in the process and becoming an influential member of the board.

His presence came to the fore during the second season of the 'Sunderland 'Til I Die' Netflix documentary, before he stepped down in his role in December 2019 despite continuing to own his stake for some time after.

In July 2023, Methven became CEO of Charlton following SE7 Partners' takeover at The Valley, which he completed alongside Edward Warrick. However, he would step down from his role within the Addicks' hierarchy in March, two months before Nathan Jones' side won the League One play-off final against Leyton Orient.

However, his presence in the Steel City on Wednesday night, alongside Owls supporter, Symon Quick, who has been particularly vocal regarding takeover talks for several outlets, could suggest he is looking for a quick route back into ownership, and it has certainly created a mix of opinions from Wednesday fans and those of Methven's former clubs.

One Owls supporter was quick to note a rather niche reference from the Black Cats' docuseries, in which Swedish international icon, Zlatan Ibrahimović, appeared at the bottom of a scouting report, highlighting the North East side's dire straits at the time.

Another was rather displeased, clearly feeling the duo would be more damaging than Chansiri, who almost took the club to the wall.

However, one Wednesdayite believes future involvement from the ex-journalist wouldn't be as disastrous as many perceive.

It's fair to say, though, that Methven remains an unpopular figure at the Stadium of Light, despite it being six years since his departure and with the Black Cats now back in the Premier League.

Despite the bitter Tyne-Wear derby between the two clubs, another Sunderland fan echoed such thoughts by stating Wednesday would be in much better hands under Ashley than their former chief executive.

Another said that the thought of his presence at Hillsborough should be enough to spark more protests from Wednesday supporters.

When Sheffield Wednesday can complete takeover deal amid Charlie Methven sighting

It has been reported that the first bids to take over the South Yorkshire outfit could come in by the end of this week, although that doesn't mean an instant takeover.

Lifelong Wednesday fan and administrator, Kris Wigfield, provided supporters with an update on proceedings ahead of the midweek clash with Norwich, stating that the club has to be on the market for at least 28 days.

This means that the earliest the club can be sold to a new buyer is Friday, November 21st, in line with the initial date Chansiri placed the club into administration.

However, there is still a feel-good factor surrounding Wednesday at present, even though it would take a miraculous turn of events to see them not be relegated to League One.

Next up for the Owls is a trip to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, and whilst things look bleak on the pitch ahead of that clash, there's still a sense of pride in the terraces that they can see out the season without throwing in the towel.