Tension is mounting in English football as speculation grows around Mike Ashley’s potential interest in taking over crisis-hit Sheffield Wednesday. The former Newcastle United owner, who previously purchased Coventry City and Wasps, has now been linked with a move to acquire the Owls amid their ongoing financial turmoil.
However, not everyone is welcoming the news. The Newcastle Supporters Trust (NST) — representing thousands of passionate Magpies fans — has issued a strongly worded warning to Sheffield Wednesday supporters, urging them to “stay well clear” of Ashley and to resist any takeover attempt by the controversial businessman.
In their scathing statement, the NST drew from their own tumultuous 14-year experience under Ashley’s ownership, during which they claim the club’s spirit, progress, and ambition were systematically stripped away.
“This is like jumping from the fire into the frying pan!” the statement read. “Yes, he may ‘sure you up’ now to protect any investment, but we all know he will be doing it for his own gain ONLY. He will do the basics only and not spend on the club or its infrastructure at all.”
“Now we’ve no ‘dog in the fight,’ but this needs saying to avoid anyone going through the hell we did. That man is a cancer, just like your current custodian. You should look elsewhere for rescue. If you think he’d do it short term, you’re wrong. If you think he’d be a White Knight, you’re wrong. If you think he won’t strip the club down to benefit Sports Direct, you’re wrong. If you think you’ll be a Premier League team any time soon, you’ll be wrong. Take note and take our warning! And if not, ask any Rangers fan — they’d say the same!”
The NST didn’t stop there, going further to paint a grim picture of what life under Mike Ashley could look like for Wednesday supporters:
“Look forward, Owls fans, to relegations, incompetence, a lack of any investment, a disregard for cup competitions, more lies than at the Houses of Parliament, broken promises, exploitation, cutbacks, false dawns, stadium renaming, poor management, terrible decision-making, no commercial club income, legends being treated like crap — and Sports Direct logos EVERYWHERE.”
The statement, now widely shared across social media, has ignited fierce debate among Sheffield Wednesday fans. While some supporters see Ashley as a “necessary evil” capable of providing financial stability amid the chaos under Dejphon Chansiri, others have echoed the Newcastle fans’ warnings, fearing history could repeat itself.
As of now, Mike Ashley has not made any public comment regarding the takeover rumors or his alleged interest in purchasing Sheffield Wednesday.
With the Regulatory Body recently issuing an ultimatum to Chansiri to either clear the club’s mounting debts or sell before the new year, tensions continue to rise at Hillsborough. The uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership has left fans anxiously awaiting the next move in what could become one of the most dramatic ownership sagas in recent Championship history.
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