Sheffield Wednesday told to 'have faith' as 16-day takeover deadline looms | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has given his verdict on whether the 1 May takeover timeframe will be met

Sheffield Wednesday are optimistic that they are near the end of their time in administration.

The Owls have been in this position since October due to the financial mismanagement they endured under previous owner Dejphon Chansiri.

Administrators Begbies Traynor reached an agreement with a group led by David Storch, known as Arise Capital, in March.

While the ratification process is ongoing, there is hope that a deal can be finalised by 1 May and that planning can begin for next season.

Henrik Pedersen’s side have had their relegation to League One confirmed since late February in what has been a very difficult campaign on the pitch for the club.

But the promise of a new owner stepping in provides some light at the end of the tunnel for supporters, provided the deal can be concluded.

Sheffield Wednesday takeover deadline claim

When asked if he thinks the takeover will be completed by 1 May, FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna claimed that he’s optimistic everything will be completed by then.

He is wary of being too optimistic due to how many false dawns there have been at the club lately, but that the Storch consortium have conducted their business quite professionally, and that gives him reason to think the 1 May deadline will be met.

“In regards to the Storch consortium, I do have faith that 1 May target date will be met,” McKenna told Football League World.

“This is just based on what I’ve seen so far.

“They seem professional and ahead of the game, doing interviews and articles that they are already engaging with staff members, local MPs and fans trust.

“There’s been no indication from the EFL that they have any concerns with them passing the [Owners and Directors'] test.

“So, although as a Sheffield Wednesday fan we have had false dawns and disappointments, my gut feeling on this is that these guys will get it over the line by this date and that for the final home game of the season we’ll have new owners in, and some sense of hope for the new season.”

A consortium led by James Bord was initially named as the preferred bidder to buy Sheffield Wednesday back in December of last year.

However, their proposal collapsed in February, which left the Owls back at square one after months of being in administration.

The Storch group were one of the parties to initially show interest in buying the Championship side when they first went into administration, and they returned with a suitable offer.

However, the Yorkshire outfit are at risk of being handed a 15 point deduction penalty from the EFL for next season as part of their takeover agreement.

Transfer restrictions are also likely to be enforced, which will put the new owners on the backfoot in terms of building a squad capable of competing for promotion in their first campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday were deducted a total of 18 points this term, which has left them with a tally of minus four with just four games remaining.

Pedersen’s side have won just once from 42 fixtures, although they are now unbeaten in their last two matches.

Next up for the Owls is a home game against Charlton Athletic on 18 April in a 3pm kick-off.

Sheffield Wednesday are almost there

It’s been an extremely turbulent last 12 months or so for Sheffield Wednesday, and fans have been put through the wringer in the process.

But the takeover by Arise Capital has been relatively smooth sailing so far, and there’s every reason to believe that this deal will get over the line.

While the road back to recovery could take a number of years, this is now a time for optimism at Hillsborough as a new era dawns on the club.

There are still a couple of weeks before the 1 May deadline, and everything appears to be moving along nicely, so there’s every chance this timeframe will be met.