An ownership group that failed in its effort to buy Sheffield Wednesday is believed to have devised an amazing proposal to unite the Owls with fierce rivals Sheffield United—an concept they hoped to implement if their acquisition succeeded.
Sheffield Wednesday have been looking for new owners since Dejphon Chansiri put the club into administration after failing to pay a £1 million HMRC bill at the end of October. Since then, other possible buyers have indicated interest, including well-known personalities like Mike Ashley and John McEvoy. The initial field has now been reduced to 11 bidders, with official proposals already received.
A definitive decision on the club’s next owner is due on December 5, which could finally allow Wednesday fans to put the Chansiri period behind them and begin over.
Although the takeover process has advanced tremendously, new information has emerged concerning one bidder’s strange plans for the club. According to sources, one group proposed an outrageous concept that would have seen Sheffield Wednesday combine with their cross-city rivals Sheffield United.
While no one knows who will eventually take over the Owls or what path the team will take, this particular bunch was promptly removed. After years of frustration under Chansiri, Wednesday fans are searching for a solid, pragmatic owner who is simply concerned with restoring success, rather than someone who wants to push crazily ambitious projects.
Anyone associated to Hillsborough would have opposed a merger with United outright. Supporters would have laughed at the proposal, and club officials would never have considered it.
Fortunately for the fanbase, the group behind the idea has already been eliminated from the running. Even if they had won the bidding, Sheffield United were unlikely to agree to such a scheme. The suggestion appears to have come from individuals with far-reaching views, and administrators such as Begbies Traynor would very definitely have disregarded it.
According to the Daily Mail, this unusual offer came from an unknown consortium that hoped to form a joint venture with the Blades—an concept that would have failed miserably with both sets of fans.
Unsurprisingly, their bid is no longer being considered. Meanwhile, several genuine, serious proposals remain in the running as Wednesday seeks the perfect buyer to revitalize the club.
Despite the turbulence in administration and the chaos that followed Chansiri’s departure, Wednesday fans have continued to support their team in large numbers. The report even mentions that the team had some of its biggest matchday revenue figures in history during the recent Steel City derby loss.
One thing is certain: regardless of the circumstances, Sheffield Wednesday fans would never have tolerated a merger with Sheffield United.
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