Sheffield Wednesday, the historic English football club, has been plunged into administration, marking a tumultuous period for the Owls and their devoted fanbase. The move comes after a period of mounting financial difficulties under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri, culminating in the appointment of administrators on October 24, 2025.
Julian Pitts, Kris Wigfield, and Paul Stanley of Begbies Traynor have been appointed as joint administrators of both Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Limited and Sheffield 3 Limited, the company that owns the club's stadium, Hillsborough. This decision was made after attempts to agree on a sale to a credible buyer fell through and amid increasing pressure from creditors. Begbies Traynor has experience in handling the administration of football clubs, including Bournemouth, Wigan Athletic, Southampton and Bolton Wanderers.
The administrators have taken immediate control of the club to protect the interests of creditors and ensure the club can continue operating while a new owner is sought. Kris Wigfield stated that the club has been trading at a significant loss for several years, with these losses historically covered by Mr. Chansiri. Due to increased financial pressure, the owner chose to place both the club and the stadium company into administration, allowing them to be marketed as a whole to prospective buyers.
As a result of entering administration, Sheffield Wednesday has been handed an automatic 12-point deduction by the English Football League (EFL). This penalty leaves them at the bottom of the Championship table with -6 points, 15 points away from safety. The EFL confirmed they received formal notice from Dejphon Chansiri about the appointment of administrators. While the points deduction is a significant blow, the EFL also stated that administration presents Sheffield Wednesday with an opportunity to move towards a successful sale and secure its future under new ownership.
Sheffield Wednesday owes around £1 million in unpaid tax to HMRC. Discussions about administration had been ongoing since October 8, after HMRC threatened to issue a winding-up petition due to continued unpaid debts. This week, a six-figure debt was added to an existing £1 million owed to HMRC. A debt of £7.4 million on the stadium was owed to New Avenue Projects Ltd, with enforcement action threatened if the debts remained unsettled. The appointment of administrators to both the club and the stadium company allows for the two entities to be sold together.
Average home attendances at Hillsborough Stadium have fallen by around 35% since last season, from over 26,000 to just over 17,000, exacerbating the club's financial problems. This drop in revenue has led to the closure of several matchday facilities in recent weeks.
According to the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust, entering administration was the result of years of financial mismanagement, a lack of accountability, and repeated failures to engage credible buyers. Despite the situation, the Trust expressed optimism about the prospect of new ownership.
