Dejphon Chansiri has completed his takeover of Sheffield Wednesday, and expects to see Premier League football on the agenda at Hillsborough in 2017.
The Thai businessman’s £30million takeover of the Owls has now been ratified by the Football League, and he has wasted little time in revealing his ambitions. With the club set to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2017, by which time he wants to see them back in the top-flight.
“I want to get Sheffield Wednesday back in the Premier League and make the supporters of this club proud,” Chansiri said. “This club is steeped in history and tradition and will soon be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2017. I would like that year to coincide with a return to the Premier League.”
Wednesday remain one of the most famous clubs in England, but they arguably fall into the category of a sleeping giants. Four times champions, the last time they won the title was way back in 1930, and the last of their three FA Cup wins was in 1935 although they did win the League Cup in 1991.
They have spent the majority of their history in the top-flight, but have not featured in the Premier League since 1999-2000 when they finished second-bottom. Since then, they have dropped as low as the third-tier, although they are currently in the top-half of the Championship table.
Outgoing chairman Milan Mandaric is certainly impressed with the new club owner. The 76-year-old purchased Wednesday in November 2010, and always maintained he would only sell to someone capable of returning them to the Premier League – and he feels now is that time.
“Straight away after meeting Mr Chansiri, I knew I was dealing with a winner,” he said. “I am confident he will be a top chairman. I always said if someone can come along and accelerate the process to take Sheffield Wednesday into the Premier League, I would step aside. That time has arrived.”
