Dejphon Chansiri ended up with nothing in the end.
The past will remember Sheffield Wednesday’s ex-owner from Thailand as one of the poorest stewards in English football history.
His tyrannical rule came to a close when he had to put the club into administration due to an impending winding-up petition from HMRC over approximately £1.7m in unpaid taxes.
Despite leading Wednesday to the brink of the Premier League in his first season as owner in 2015-16, he has consistently shown disregard and disrespect towards the fans over the past decade.
His self-absorption even extended to having his name displayed on seats at Hillsborough, which are now being removed before the upcoming match against Oxford United.
This fixture will witness Wednesday supporters flocking to their cherished stadium to provide financial support to the club following a plea from the administrators.
Fans of the Owls have refrained from spending money inside the stadium, following the Supporters’ Trust’s call to boycott purchases at the club shop and food and drink stands.
Matchday attendance has been minimal, with only season ticket holders showing up, resulting in just one goal and one point at home so far.
During a recent match against Middlesbrough broadcast live on Sky Sports, season ticket holders were encouraged to stay home or watch from a pub, leading to an almost vacant stadium.
The administrators have emphasized that the fans’ refusal to spend money has compelled Chansiri to take action and exit the club.
Chansiri made a miscalculation by underestimating the loyalty and size of the fanbase, leading to his departure with a tarnished reputation.
Despite having the opportunity to generate millions, his stubbornness and lack of foresight have proven costly.
Chansiri has remained silent for months, presumably in Thailand, but he should feel ashamed and embarrassed by the unfolding events.
With Wednesday being docked 12 points, they now sit at -6, firmly at the bottom of the Championship and facing likely relegation to the third tier.
The impact of administration on the football club, its employees, and various creditors, including local businesses, cannot be overlooked, as they are likely to recover only a fraction of what is owed.
A silver lining in this dire situation is the placement of Sheffield 3, the company that owns Hillsborough, into administration alongside the football club, allowing both assets to be sold together to potential buyers.
The focus now shifts to identifying a new owner who can revive this once prestigious club, despite vultures circling around, there should be ample interest in rescuing this struggling institution.
Chansiri has never grasped the essence of Sheffield Wednesday or its significance to the city and its multitude of supporters.
Five years ago, it was highlighted that the club’s recovery could only commence once rid of his ownership, and now that moment has arrived, hopefully signaling the start of a healing process.
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James is the Sports Editor for the Mirror website and spends his weekends watching Sheffield Wednesday with a tinge of melancholy.
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