How David Storch feels about sealing Sheffield Wednesday takeover revealed amid James Bord limbo
Uncertainty continues to surround the future of Sheffield Wednesday as the club battles both relegation fallout and an ongoing takeover saga.
The Owls’ miserable campaign reached another low point last Sunday when a 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals Sheffield United confirmed their drop into League One. Relegation has only intensified concerns off the pitch, where supporters remain in limbo as the club stays in administration.
Financial expert Kris Wigfield recently revealed that Wednesday are losing around £1 million per month, underlining the urgency of completing a sale. Until new ownership is in place, the club cannot properly plan for the future. Major decisions — including the fate of manager Henrik Pedersen — remain unresolved, leaving uncertainty hanging over Hillsborough.
At present, businessman James Bord remains the preferred bidder to take control. However, rival suitor David Storch has now broken his silence. According to a statement shared with BBC Radio Sheffield journalist Rob Staton, Storch’s bid team insists they are still firmly interested in acquiring the South Yorkshire club.
Their message made it clear that their enthusiasm has not faded despite Bord’s current preferred status. They expressed a strong desire to see Wednesday restored to their former heights and stated they would be ready to step in should the opportunity arise again. The group also acknowledged supporters’ disappointment following relegation and wished the team well for the remainder of the campaign.
Behind the scenes, change is already occurring. Head of Recruitment Kevin Beadell has departed, and reports suggest Bord would implement his own recruitment structure if his takeover is finalised. Yet there remain hurdles. Bord is currently facing legal action from former business partner Jonathan Cohen over investment matters relating to Spanish side Córdoba CF. That dispute could potentially complicate the timeline.
Additionally, the English Football League is carefully scrutinising the proposed deal, particularly regarding the sources of funding. Questions have been raised about whether gambling or crypto-gambling operations would form a significant part of the financial backing. As part of its Owners’ and Directors’ Test, the league must be satisfied before approving any transaction.
If the takeover is not completed by May, responsibility for ratifying the sale would shift to the Independent Football Regulator, adding another layer of oversight to an already complex process.
The Owls’ recent troubles serve as a reminder of the damage that unstable ownership can cause. Former owner Dejphon Chansiri presided over a period of financial mismanagement that saw wages repeatedly delayed and ultimately pushed the club into administration. Points deductions tied to those issues proved decisive in sealing Wednesday’s relegation earlier this year.
For long-suffering fans, there is cautious optimism that Bord’s takeover could be completed within six weeks, offering a potential route out of crisis. However, lingering doubts over his bid mean Storch’s public reaffirmation of interest will come as a source of reassurance.
With the club at a crossroads, supporters can only hope that whichever bidder ultimately takes control will restore stability, rebuild trust, and guide Sheffield Wednesday back toward brighter days at Hillsborough.