7 reasons to be excited as a Sheffield Wednesday fan this summer | OneFootball

FLW outline the seven primary reasons for Sheffield Wednesday fans to be excited by the summer ahead and 2026/27 in League One as well...

There is no escaping the disappointment Sheffield Wednesday supporters will have felt on the pitch at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, but off the pitch is perhaps where reasons for optimism lie.

Relegation from the Championship is never part of the plan for a club of Sheffield Wednesday's stature. Another year in League One is far from where they believe they belong, especially having enjoyed memorable highs in recent years, including their dramatic play-off final victory over Barnsley in 2023 to return to the second tier.

Dropping back into the third division is the latest frustrating chapter in what has too often been a turbulent modern history when the Owls have spent much of the last quarter of a century battling against adversity. Since their relegation from the Premier League in 2000, Sheffield Wednesday have experienced financial problems, points deductions, managerial upheaval and multiple spells in League One.

However, football moves quickly, and while relegation naturally hurts, this summer feels different. Rather than entering another transfer window surrounded by uncertainty, Wednesday appear to have genuine reasons for optimism. Fresh ownership has breathed new life into the club, offering hope that years of instability can finally be left behind.

That said, League One will be fiercely competitive in 2026/27, with the likes of Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, Bradford City and more showcasing the size of the clubs in the league but also the sheer volume of sides that are all harbouring promotion ambitions.

Supporters are understandably cautious after years of false dawns, but there is also a growing sense that this could be the beginning of something more positive. New leadership, a refreshed outlook and the chance to reshape the squad means there are plenty of reasons for Wednesday fans to look ahead with optimism. We've picked the seven primary reasons to be positive, here.

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Few signings would generate as much goodwill among Sheffield Wednesday supporters as the return of Barry Bannan. The midfielder's departure to Millwall in January was a painful but understandable sacrifice during a period of financial uncertainty under Chansiri. Many fans viewed it as a move made to help the club navigate difficult circumstances rather than a player turning his back on Wednesday.

Now, with new ownership in place, a reunion would send a powerful message as a statement signing. Bannan remains one of the most influential figures of the modern era at Hillsborough and would immediately restore some of the connection between supporters and the football club.

Beyond the emotional aspect, the 36-year-old would also bring leadership, genuine quality well above League One, and invaluable experience to a squad attempting to recover from a disastrous campaign. His return would symbolise a fresh start under Storch and Arise, while also proving that the club is once again looking forward rather than merely trying to survive.

6 ? ? The Dejphon Chansiri era is finally over at Hillsborough

For many supporters, the biggest reason for optimism has nothing to do with players, managers, or tactics. It is simply the fact that Chansiri is no longer in charge. That is perhaps the most obvious reason to be excited, with a new dawn beginning in South Yorkshire.

The final years of his ownership were dominated by uncertainty, visceral supporter frustration, and a growing disconnect between the club and its fanbase. While there were moments of success earlier in his tenure, the eventual decline culminated in one of the bleakest seasons in Sheffield Wednesday's history.

New owners do not guarantee success, but they do provide something that had largely disappeared at Hillsborough: hope. Storch and Arise arrive with a clean slate and the opportunity to rebuild relationships throughout the club. Fans can once again look towards the future with optimism rather than constantly worrying about off-field issues.

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That change in atmosphere from Chansiri's exit alone could prove to be transformative after years of negativity. However, speaking of transformation, as painful as relegation is, League One may provide Wednesday with the environment they need to rebuild properly. Ricardo Santos is the perfect start in the transfer market as well.

The Championship can be unforgiving, especially for clubs battling financial limitations and instability. Wednesday's 2025/26 campaign began in survival mode from the off and was purely a year of damage limitation. Starting afresh in League One offers an opportunity to reset expectations, establish a clear identity for years to come, and build confidence through positive results.

This will already be their third League One campaign in five seasons, so the division is familiar territory. While supporters naturally want a swift return to the Championship, there is also value in creating a sustainable foundation rather than rushing decisions. If the club gets its recruitment and planning right, League One could become the platform for a much healthier long-term future.

4 ? ? Sheffield Wednesday's recruitment should finally be driven by a clear plan

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One of the biggest frustrations in recent years has been the lack of consistency in recruitment strategy under Chansiri. The arrival of new ownership provides an opportunity to change that, and they have already made progress this summer on that front, even if some targets have also been missed out on as well.

Rather than signing players simply to plug short-term gaps, Wednesday can begin building a squad with a clear vision and structure. League One is often won by clubs that recruit intelligently rather than extravagantly, although the Owls can arguably flex their muscles more than most given the size and stature of the club.

There should be opportunities to attract talented players who view Hillsborough as a major club capable of offering a pathway back to the Championship. Sheffield Wednesday still have gravitas despite their recent struggles, which can be used to their advantage. If the club establishes a coherent recruitment model, there is every reason to believe the squad will be significantly stronger by the end of August.

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Even after relegation, Sheffield Wednesday retain one of the most impressive stadiums and supporter bases in the division. Hillsborough remains a venue that no League One club can simply match in terms of size. Only West Ham United have a bigger ground in the EFL, too. But it's not just the scale of it, but also in terms of its atmosphere and history.

While recent seasons have tested supporters' patience, the fanbase has repeatedly demonstrated its loyalty through difficult circumstances. A united Hillsborough can become a major weapon next season. If the new ownership succeeds in reconnecting with supporters, attendances could remain among the highest in the league.

Momentum is a powerful force in League One, with a positive atmosphere around home matches capable of helping drive the team forward. The infrastructure and support are already there; it is now about creating a team capable of matching them.

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Strangely, one of Wednesday's biggest advantages may be that expectations have been reset. After such a disastrous 2025/26 campaign, nobody is realistically expecting the club to dominate from day one. The Owls may well do that if they operate well in the window, but the expectations are low at this moment in time.

The reality, though, is that the pressure being off somewhat will help to create space for the new ownership and coaching staff to make sensible decisions without the intensity and scrutiny that often accompanies clubs chasing immediate promotion. Lest fans forget that they ended last year on zero points!

Supporters should understand that rebuilding takes time. The focus can now shift towards progress, but also building culture and stability rather than dealing with constant crisis management. In many ways, that makes this summer feel very different from previous ones. There is less desperation and more patience. If improvements begin to appear on and off the pitch, optimism will naturally grow.

1 ? ? The size of the club still gives Sheffield Wednesday huge potential

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Ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, Sheffield Wednesday remain one of the biggest clubs in League One. Realistically, only Leicester City come remotely close in the third tier next season. Yes, the last few years have been difficult; but the club's support, stadium, history, and profile have not disappeared.

There are very few English teams outside of the Premier League capable of matching Wednesday's potential if they are run properly. That is why the ownership change feels so significant this summer. The challenge now is turning that potential into reality, because plenty of clubs in League One would love to possess the resources, fanbase, and infrastructure already in place at Hillsborough.

If Storch and Arise Capital make the right decisions, there is no reason why Sheffield Wednesday cannot become promotion contenders in the Championship again, let alone League One again, in the near future. After everything supporters have endured, the possibility of finally moving in the right direction is perhaps the biggest reason for optimism of all.