Why Sheffield Wednesday administrator feels Norwich City clash means ‘more than football’ for Owls

Kris Wigfield, Sheffield Wednesday’s administrator and lifetime supporter, has sent an impassioned statement ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Norwich City at Hillsborough.

The Owls are now managed by Wigfield and his Begbies Traynor partners, Paul Stanley and Julian Pitts, who took over the club for a brief time after former controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri forced it into administration on October 24th.

Despite being forced to take such drastic measures, Wednesday fans have seen it as an opportunity to rally behind Henrik Pedersen and his depleted squad more than ever before, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds through ticket sales and official club merchandise as they celebrated Chansiri’s loss of control over the club.

The Owls have played two Championship games since going into administration, and they earned their first point since the EFL imposed an automatic 12-point deduction at the end of last month.

Pedersen’s side has dropped to -5 points after Saturday’s respectable goalless draw at play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion, but they are now 17 points from safety following the weekend’s results, making relegation to League One an almost certain outcome – an outcome predicted by many club officials and the vast majority of outsiders.

As a result, the trio of administrators, players, management, staff, and supporters are using the current period to instill some much-needed stability in the Steel City outfit, albeit they are unlikely to be taken over until at least mid-November due to EFL expectations.

However, the upcoming game against the Canaries is being dubbed ‘Blue & White Night’ in S6, with Wigfield and his colleagues putting plans in place to make it even more memorable.

Kris Wigfield gives a passionate Sheffield Wednesday message ahead of the Norwich City match.

The forthcoming match is also a meeting of the division’s worst clubs, with Norwich anchored to 23rd place after a 2-0 loss to Hull City on Saturday, putting Liam Manning under increased pressure at Carrow Road.

While recently certifying that all players, staff, and bills had been paid ahead of schedule for October, the trio of administrators also lowered ticket pricing for the forthcoming match at Hillsborough, with the most costly seats now only £30 for an adult in the South Stand.

Following a large boycott against Middlesbrough on October 22nd, the attendance for the 2-1 defeat against Oxford United three days later was 27,261 as Wednesdayites celebrated Chansiri’s departure in a variety of ways, with Wigfield hoping for similar results against Norwich.

Wigfield has urged supporters to turn out in their thousands once more after raising at least £500,000 through ticket and product sales, while the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust has pledged a further £20,000 to help stable the club while a new buyer is found.

In a message posted to the club’s official website on Sunday morning, he offered his gratitude to everyone associated with the club.

“It’s been an emotional week for everyone connected with Sheffield Wednesday,” Wigfield says.

“The players showed amazing passion at West Brom, and the fans have shown heart all week—through everything you’ve done for this club.

“It’s time to bring the same struggle home. On Wednesday, November 5th, we return to Hillsborough for Blue & White Night, which signifies more than simply football,” he stated.

“I understand it’s Bonfire Night. I understand there are other places you could be.

“But this is our night, and it’s definitely our fight — a night to light up Hillsborough with pride, passion, and belief,” Wigfield told CNN.

“The team gave everything on the pitch at West Brom, and they’ll do it again on Wednesday.

“What they need now is you—a full, loud, together Hillsborough behind them,” the administrator stated.

After describing the various steps put in place to improve the matchday experience, such as food and drink bundles, Wigfield concluded the emotion-filled address with: “Every single ticket counts. You can all make a difference. This club is fighting — and together, we will overcome this and move forward to a bright future.”

Kris Wigfield’s remark will echo the thoughts of all Sheffield Wednesday supporters.

Wigfield, who has a season ticket at Hillsborough for almost 40 years, will echo the sentiments of every Wednesday supporter with the aforementioned comment.

It is yet another opportunity for the club to demonstrate the potential it has if a new owner comes in with a fresh influx of cash and stability.

The administrators have claimed that they require at least £50 million in proof of money from new buyers, which three parties feel they can provide as a bidding war begins, including John McEvoy, John Textor, and Mike Ashley.

Wednesday’s match is also one in which Pedersen and his team will fancy their chances of picking up their first home league win since April, with their opponents winless since August 30th, though Norwich’s two victories have all come away from Carrow Road.