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Wednesdayite

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Wednesdayite" is also a term commonly used to refer to any supporter of Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

Wednesdayite
Formation2001 (as The Owls Trust)
TypeSupporters' group
Legal statusCompany Limited by Guarantee
PurposeSupporter services and community engagement
HeadquartersSheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Region served
South Yorkshire
MembershipNot publicly disclosed
Chairman
Paul Holmes
AffiliationsFootball Supporters' Association
Websitewww.wednesdayite.com

Wednesdayite is an independent supporters group for Sheffield Wednesday fans.

"Wednesdayite" is the trading name of Wednesdayite Limited, an independent football supporter group originally formed as The Owls Trust in 2001. The group is known for operating supporter services, representing fan interests, and running charitable and community initiatives.

History

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Formation as The Owls Trust

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The group was founded in 2001 as the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Society, known publicly as The Owls Trust. It was created when Sheffield Wednesday directors Dave Allen, Keith Addy and Geoff Hulley purchased 36.7% of the club’s shares from Charterhouse, donating 9.46% to the new supporters' trust to avoid exceeding takeover thresholds.[1]

The trust quickly became influential due to holding a significant 10.07% shareholding in Sheffield Wednesday PLC. It became a focal point of tension with club management after being perceived to support a potential takeover by Ken Bates, although it maintained it was only advocating transparency for potential investors.[2]

The organisation became a flashpoint for controversy among fans and club officials, with Chief Executive John Hemmingham and Chairman Jim Harrison frequently in the media spotlight. Hemmingham resigned in 2005 after accepting a role with Leeds United F.C., a move that drew widespread criticism from fans and media.[citation needed]

Rebrand as Wednesdayite

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In response to internal tensions and public perception, the trust held board elections in 2005 and rebranded as Wednesdayite following a wholesale change of leadership. Darryl Keys was appointed chairman, and James Hargreaves, who had helped set up and run online fans forum Owlstalk, later served as Vice-Chair.[3] He subsequently became Sheffield Wednesday F.C.'s Marketing Manager,[4] and later took over Sheffield Forum, an independent online community which has a Sheffield Wednesday section.[5]

The rebrand was intended to mark a fresh start and improve relations with both fans and the club, though disputes over the 10.07% shareholding persisted.[6] In September 2005, Dave Allen offered £330,000 for the shares, but members rejected the offer, and no formal ballot was held on the later £500,000 proposal.[7][8]

Shareholding and Governance Tensions

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Wednesdayite’s position remained pivotal in takeover discussions. In 2007, a bid by Paul Gregg was reportedly hampered by Wednesdayite’s shareholding. The group denied this and undertook consultation with members, leading to a pledge of its shares to an escrow scheme operated by the Sheffield Wednesday Shareholders Association to support any bid reaching 51% of share capital.[8]

The Geoff Sheard Bid

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In 2008, Wednesdayite confirmed discussions with Geoff Sheard, who fronted a consortium reportedly backed by a Swiss trust. On 1 July, a formal offer was received. Members were balloted at a Special General Meeting on 6 August 2008.[7] Two resolutions were passed:

Resolution 1: Amended rules to allow the group to sell shares if approved by members (97.4% in favour).

Resolution 2: Approved the sale of shares to Sheard’s group (92.1% in favour).

Ballot turnout was 77.7%.[9] Former Home Secretary and Wednesdayite patron David Blunkett provided advisory support. Ultimately, the offer was withdrawn in October 2008 due to failure to verify funding.[7]

Share Donation and Post-Trust Era

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The club’s leadership changed again in 2010, with Milan Mandarić acquiring Sheffield Wednesday. Members voted 97.9% in favour of gifting Wednesdayite’s 10.07% shareholding to the Mandarić Family Trust as part of the takeover.[10]

In the years that followed, the group transitioned away from political activity and towards matchday services, outreach, and community support. It became a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2014.

Chansiri Era and Present Day

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Following the acquisition of Sheffield Wednesday by Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri in 2015, Wednesdayite continued operating as an independent supporters' organisation, focusing on fan services and community initiatives rather than political involvement.

While less visible than in earlier decades, the group remains active, providing away travel options and pre-match social spaces. In June 2024, Wednesdayite chairman Paul Holmes participated in the club’s newly established Supporters Engagement Panel—a formal structure for dialogue between fans and senior club representatives. Holmes contributed to discussions around inclusive facilities and sensory-friendly spaces for fans with autism and sensory sensitivities, and the group offered financial support for related improvements.[11]

Though no longer involved in shareholding or formal governance, Wednesdayite is viewed as a legacy group that continues to represent a section of long-standing supporters. As of 2025, it maintains a presence via its website and social media, but does not publicly publish membership figures.

Activities

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Supporter Services

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Wednesdayite has provided a range of services, including:

The Wednesdayite Lounge – a pre-match venue, based at Niagara Conference and Leisure on Niagara Road.[12]

Away Coach Travel – low-cost coach services to away games.[13]

Player Sponsorship Dinner – a draw for members to attend a dinner celebrating Wednesdayite's player sponsorship.[14]

Prize Draw – members are entered into a seasonal prize draw to win prizes such as signed shirts, coach travel and club shop vouchers.[15]

Organisation

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Wednesdayite is governed by a volunteer board elected annually by its members. Board members receive no remuneration.[citation needed]

Previous activities and projects

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Wednesdayite has delivered a number of past initiatives, many of which are no longer active:

SMILE Tickets: A scheme providing free matchday tickets to disadvantaged fans. At its peak, it offered full matchday experiences including access to the Wednesdayite Lounge.[16]

Primary Schools Coaching: Run by ex-SWFC coach Steve Adams, the project delivered curricular football coaching to over 8,000 children in Sheffield schools.[17]

Matchday Car Park: Previously operated on Penistone Road, and later Hillsborough College.[18]

Fan Surveys and Ballots: Wednesdayite was known for balloting its members—and at times, the wider fanbase—on shareholding and club matters.[7]

Controversies

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Throughout its history, Wednesdayite has been at the centre of multiple controversies:

The organisation, as The Owls Trust, was accused of supporting a Ken Bates takeover—an accusation it denied, stating its aim was transparency and due diligence.[19]

This led to public fallouts with then-chairman Dave Allen, who evicted the group from Hillsborough and publicly criticised its actions. The group also faced criticism from local and national media for its perceived handling of high-profile conflicts with club figures.[20]

Chief Executive John Hemmingham left in 2005 after accepting a role under Ken Bates at Leeds United, sparking fan unrest and alleged personal threats.[citation needed]

The group’s 10.07% shareholding was seen by some fans as obstructing takeovers—including bids by Paul Gregg and Geoff Sheard. Although it later committed to releasing shares under member vote, the perception of obstruction persisted.[6]

See also

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Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

Supporters' trust

References

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  1. ^ "Fans get stake in Owls". BBC News. 1 March 2001. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Owls ambition drives Bates". BBC Sport. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Wednesdayite Board Members". Wednesdayite. 20 September 2009. Archived from the original on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  4. ^ "The best football club ground game songs and anthems". GQ. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Sheffield's online pub is under new management". The Tribune. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Tell Wednesdayite What You Think". Sheffield Forum. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d "Wednesdayite - Our History". Wednesdayite. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Owls chief angry as buy-out fails". BBC Sport. 20 July 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Wednesdayite ballot a landslide for Sheard". Wednesdayite. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  10. ^ "Statement from Wednesdayite – 30th November 2010". Wednesdayite. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Supporters Engagement Panel Minutes – June 2024" (PDF). Sheffield Wednesday FC. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Wednesdayite Lounge Opening Times 24/25". Wednesdayite. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Away Coach Travel". Wednesdayite. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Join Our Team for 2024/25". Wednesdayite. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Members Draw – April 2025". Wednesdayite. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  16. ^ "SMILE Tickets". Wednesdayite. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Primary Schools Coaching". Wednesdayite. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Car Park". Wednesdayite. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Owls ambition drives Bates". BBC Sport. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  20. ^ Lawrence, Amy (7 November 2004). "Down among the debt men". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
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Official website

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