Sheffield Wednesday finally have a reason to dream again after years of off-field chaos under former owner Dejphon Chansiri, says Owls legend Mel Sterland. With new US owners Arise Capital Partners now in charge, Sterland believes the club can focus on football once more after a season that ended in relegation to League One - a drop that came with an 18-point deduction and just 2 wins from 46 games.
What went wrong under Chansiri?
Sterland, speaking to FourFourTwo on behalf of Lucky Rebel Sportsbook, described the club’s decline under Chansiri as “horrendous, absolutely horrendous.” The Thai businessman took charge in 2015, sparking early optimism with a Championship play-off final appearance in his first full season and another top-six finish the following year. But what followed was a slow collapse: constant managerial changes, poor recruitment, and financial mismanagement.
The controversial sale of Hillsborough to a Chansiri-linked company to meet EFL Profitability and Sustainability rules led to points deductions, transfer embargoes, and mounting supporter unrest. Wage delays and mounting debts deepened the crisis, leaving fans boycotting games in protest. Sheffield Wednesday finished 24th in the Championship last term with 0 points, 2 wins, 12 draws, and 32 losses from 46 games, scoring just 29 goals while conceding 89 - a goal difference of -60. They trailed league leaders Coventry by 95 points.
How fans stood by the team
Despite the chaos, Sterland praised the supporters for standing by the players even when they couldn’t attend matches. “The fans stuck by the team, even when they boycotted the games,” he said. “They showed their support for the players in their own ways. I was proud of the supporters because they made their feelings known.”
The absence of fans hit morale hard, Sterland added, making it “frustrating for the fans not to be able to show their support like that.” He stressed the players weren’t to blame - “Not through the players, though, I must admit. It was the fault of one man.”
Why new ownership changes everything
Now, with Arise Capital Partners in control, Sterland sees a clear shift. “I can’t wait for the season to start,” he said. “It’s exciting. We’ve got new people behind the scenes now. We’ve got some smashing players in.” Among them are Barry Bannan and Liam Cooper, both returning to add experience.
But Sterland warned progress won’t come overnight. “Even with the good players we have, it’s not going to happen overnight. Now we’ve got to get it together and get a roll going and start winning football games.”
The sign hope is back
The biggest sign of renewed belief? The stands. Around 24,000 fans are expected back at Hillsborough this season, a stark contrast to the empty terraces of recent years. With the dark clouds lifting, Wednesday can finally focus on football again - and after so much uncertainty, that’s a relief for everyone connected to the club. Their next fixture is away to Luton on January 9, 2027.
