owlse Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/owls-ready-to-welcome-new-owner-chansiri-1-7129011 Sheffield Wednesday’s £30m takeover deal is set to gain Football League approval. Ratification of Dejphon Chansiri’s deal to buy out Owls owner Milan Mandaric has been agreed, and The Yorkshire Post understands last-minute paperwork is being concluded. An announcement could come today that the Football League have rubber-stamped the deal, which would clear the way for Thai businessman Chansiri to complete his takeover. The Owls yesterday sent out invitations for a Hillsborough press conference on Monday morning, where Mandaric and Chansiri will be in attendance. Wednesday’s new owners are due to fly in to England today, ahead of attending tomorrow’s home game against Yorkshire 
rivals Middlesbrough. Yesterday saw the Owls publish their latest set of financial figures for the year ending May 2014. Wednesday’s operating losses increased by £1.5m to £5.4m in 2013-14. Attendances dropped by 12 per cent, nearly 3,000, from an average league crowd of 24,078 in 2012-13 to 21,274 last season. Season ticket sales also declined, from 16,526 to 15,305, while the wage bill increased from £11.9m to £12.5m. Mandaric hopes the arrival of ambitious Chansiri will see fans return to Hillsborough. “I was extremely disappointed by our reduction in turnover which was due to the fall in revenue associated with the drop in attendance we suffered during the season,†said Mandaric. “I do hope, with the potential new investment in both the squad and the stadium from Dejphon Chansiri, supporters will back the club and our attendance figures will once again start to improve.†Mandaric called the 2013-14 season a “challenging campaignâ€, when he sacked Dave Jones and handed the job to Stuart Gray. “Although not to universal approval, I was convinced he was the best man for the difficult task of turning our season around,†said Mandaric. “Following Stuart’s appointment the team took a very creditable 42 points from 30 games – the opening 16 games under Dave produced a mere 11 points – doubling the average points per game with very little change to the squad.†The outgoing Owls chairman said winning promotion from League One was the highlight of his four years at Hillsborough, but revealed his upset at missing out on a Steel City derby last season in the FA Cup. Wednesday flopped at home to Charlton in the FA Cup fifth round, missing out on a prized quarter-final tie against Sheffield United. “This was probably the most disappointing result of the season for me, in front of our own home fans I did hope for a better performance.†Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Millwall – which ended a seven-match winless run – means pressure has eased on Gray. The Owls’ head coach has already met Chansiri to discuss new signings, and emphasise the need for Wednesday to improve their stadium, pitch and training ground. Now Gray is hoping he can sit down with the new owners over the weekend and start planning for next season and beyond. With 14 players due to be out of contract in the summer, it promises to be a busy off-season with Chansiri eager of a return to the Premier League after a 15-year exile. “The owners are coming over (today), so hopefully we can sit down and discuss short-term and long-term (plans),†said Gray. “The first meeting was just about recruitment, trying to strengthen the team. Things off the pitch too, regarding the pitch and the training facilities as well.†New recruit Sergiu Bus is out for a month with a groin injury, after injuring himself in the pre-match warm-up at Derby. Gray has denied making a move for Leicester City’s striker Chris Wood, but is keen on his Foxes team-mate, winger Anthony Knockaert. On interest in Wood, Gray confirmed: “That was at the start of the season, we haven’t been back to them. I think they are probably wanting something more permanent for the player. “It was one we pursued, but Nigel (Pearson) didn’t let him out at the time, so we just have to carry on and keep knocking (on doors).†Knockaert – who this week rejected a loan move to Ipswich Town – would bring extra width to Wednesday’s midfield, an area Gray is keen to strengthen. “I have always liked the boy,†said Gray. “He scored a great goal against us last season at their place. He’s proven he can get goals in the Championship. We are always interested in good players.†One player Gray will be hoping to convince Chansiri has a long-term future at Wednesday is on-loan midfielder Lewis McGugan. The 26-year-old has scored in back-to-back games, at Championship leaders Derby County and Millwall, and impressed in his second loan spell from Watford. Nearing full fitness, Gray knows the value of a goalscoring midfielder to any team. “We knew there were goals in him, he’s been disappointed,†said Gray. “The pleasing thing is his CV shows he is a goalscoring midfielder. “It’s not a fluke, he has scored over 40-odd goals (in his career) so let’s hope he goes on a run now.†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdan2003 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 "Set to get league approval" I'd imagine they've already got it? given that a press conference has been arranged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyowl Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Set season tickets at £300, spend some money on team and lets try and get 18,000 sold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlsfieldowl Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) Well, looks like the last obstacle to our change in ownership has been overcome. A new dawn ... Attendances will only start to rise once the performances in the pitch and results improve. I wonder if Chansiri really knows what he has got himself into here..investment in the team will obviously cost money, but it's also the ground, facilities, training infrastructure etc that badly need investment too. He has a big task - just hope he has the pockets/ support etc to see it through. Looking forward to hearing his plans and timelines. Edited February 27, 2015 by Owlsofrustration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torres Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Revenue is down due to the reduction in season ticket sales. Yep MM, maybe you doing nothing for 2 years might have contributed a tiny bit?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest _Ibbo_ Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Interesting. Mentions investment in the stadium. The guy owns a construction company in Thailand. Could be interesting times ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) Interesting. Mentions investment in the stadium. The guy owns a construction company in Thailand. Could be interesting times ahead This is what I thought.He already has this, so labour costs down just bring the lads over, probably materials cheaper too if he imports them. Are the world cup plans still in place? Interesting times on this front. Only thing is let's just say new decided to knock the west stand down, is he allowed to do this while the enquiry still going. Edited February 27, 2015 by tuttuttut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlsfieldowl Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 This is what I thought. He already has this, so labour costs down just bring the lads over, probably materials cheaper too if he imports them. Are the world cup plans still in place? Interesting times on this front. Only thing is let's just say new decided to knock the west stand down, is he allowed to do this while the enquiry still going. Interesting...Wasn't aware of that - could be key...it save money etc which can be invested elsewhere. Sheffield Wednesday welcomed you to the John West stadium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChapSmurf Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Set season tickets at £300, spend some money on team and lets try and get 18,000 sold! Football is way too expensive here in England, compared to the like of the Bundesliga for instance. I appreciate that a drop in ST prices will possibly mean an initial reduction in this column on the accounts, but if the prices were dropped by 20%, all it would take to claw that back would a small increase in ST sales, due to the reduction, and a small increase on matchday takings. More bums on seats could mean more money being spent in the shop, on the concourse and it will improve the atmosphere. So many of us are saying the same thing, so why isn't it happening? Are we all missing something here? I know what I have said is very simplistic, but surely it must work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamese Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Football is way too expensive here in England, compared to the like of the Bundesliga for instance. I appreciate that a drop in ST prices will possibly mean an initial reduction in this column on the accounts, but if the prices were dropped by 20%, all it would take to claw that back would a small increase in ST sales, due to the reduction, and a small increase on matchday takings. More bums on seats could mean more money being spent in the shop, on the concourse and it will improve the atmosphere. So many of us are saying the same thing, so why isn't it happening? Are we all missing something here? I know what I have said is very simplistic, but surely it must work. If season tickets prices were reduced by 20%, you'd need an increase of 25% on season tickets sold. It's possible that may happen, but would be a gamble for any to club to take, where money is tight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darklord Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I like that gray has been discussing stadium improvements with the new boss. Yes Mr Chansiri we should put the big screens in. I want a chesterfield couch in the dugout and one of those hats that hold two beer cans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocomotiveOwlerton Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Football is way too expensive here in England, compared to the like of the Bundesliga for instance. I appreciate that a drop in ST prices will possibly mean an initial reduction in this column on the accounts, but if the prices were dropped by 20%, all it would take to claw that back would a small increase in ST sales, due to the reduction, and a small increase on matchday takings. More bums on seats could mean more money being spent in the shop, on the concourse and it will improve the atmosphere. So many of us are saying the same thing, so why isn't it happening? Are we all missing something here? I know what I have said is very simplistic, but surely it must work. Always maintained this is the way to go. 20,000 people paying £25 a ticket = £500,000 revenue. 30,000 people paying £18 a ticket = £540,000 revenue. A little simplistic, possibly, and I realise that with more people comes more expenditure - Police, stewarding etc, but more people paying less leads to the same outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesteel Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Welcome dejphon. Looking forward to hearing what you have planned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukestheman82 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Always maintained this is the way to go. 20,000 people paying £25 a ticket = £500,000 revenue. 30,000 people paying £18 a ticket = £540,000 revenue. A little simplistic, possibly, and I realise that with more people comes more expenditure - Police, stewarding etc, but more people paying less leads to the same outcome. Would the increase in food, drink, merchandise sales not go a long was to cover the increased expenditure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesteel Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Always maintained this is the way to go. 20,000 people paying £25 a ticket = £500,000 revenue. 30,000 people paying £18 a ticket = £540,000 revenue. A little simplistic, possibly, and I realise that with more people comes more expenditure - Police, stewarding etc, but more people paying less leads to the same outcome. That assumes we'd get 30k too. It's been closer to 25k with deals on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modboy Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 i just dont think people cba to go to mid-table championship games anymore Only way attendances will increase is if we are pushing for promotion and then when we get promoted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akbuk Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I think there is an opportunity to increase commercial sales throughout the World especially in Thailand,the top teams do not neglect Asia ,neither should we Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocomotiveOwlerton Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 That assumes we'd get 30k too. It's been closer to 25k with deals on. If we were challenging the top 6/8 on a more consistent and competitive basis, you'd find that extra 5k easy. Obviously scoring more than 8 goals at home would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlse Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 UTO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beatpusher Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Am I right in thinking Stadium and Academy spending isn't included in FFP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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