The Sheff

Sheffield Wednesday could be set for a starting points deduction next season

Just to add insult to injury.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 11th March 2026

In gutting news for the Owls, the already struggling Sheffield Wednesday FC have been informed that they could very well be starting next season with an immediate points deduction.

From bad to worse, it seems, at the moment.

Wednesdayites have been through it all over the past few years, with unpaid debts and salaries resulting in administration, sparking protests; now relegation to the third tier and the threat of complete collapse.

And as if things weren't hard enough already, Sheffield Wednesday have now been told that they will automatically be deducted 15 points from the beginning of the 2026/67 League One campaign if creditors aren't paid in full - starting with outgoing and controversial owner, Dejphon Chansiri...

Chansiri has loaned over £60 million to the organisation during more than 11 years in charge, but because this money was never converted into share capital, he is the entity that the club owes the biggest amount to.

Addressing supporters in a statement back in September 2023, the 57-year-old member of the millionaire family that controls the Thai Union Group, wrote: "I will not inject any more money into the club if I am being treated unfairly.

"Those fans who create trouble [for] the club and me, and believe that they are the real owner of the club, need to be responsible for the financial matters of the club from now on."

It's fair to say that relations with the fans have far from improved since then, and they've been left even more furious following this most recent development.

At present, Chansiri must be paid at least £15m (effectively almost half of the entire organisation's total purchase price at current valuation), but none of the interested bidders has ultimately been willing to do so thus far.

However, the Arise Capital Partners LLC consortium - led by David Storch and son Michael, as well as Tom Costin - has been identified as the 'preferred' party to complete a buyout.

Fingers crossed this move gets across the line.

Newcastle United Mike Ashley was also said to be in the running to take over the club, but ultimately was unprepared to settle this fee with Chansiri, and there remain doubts over whether or not Storch is willing to either.

As for the loyal Hillsborough matchgoers, they have accused the EFL of punishing them and the club rather than the ownership and wider executive board, who have overseen this turbulent period for the historic local institution.

One person wrote underneath the post in social media: "So a club gets penalised because their owner is a piece of shit, but Man City and others just get away with it, makes sense"; many others have simply added that the pending treatment is "unfair" and targets the wrong people. What do you make of it all?

Elsewhere in the Steel City, fresh hope and a new chapter are coming to the world's oldest football club as native musician Jon McClure has been confirmed as the new chairman. Find out more down below.

https://thehootleeds.com/the-sheff/reverend-and-the-makers-frontman-jon-mcclure-becomes-chairman-of-sheffield-fc/

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Featured Images — Kenneth Yarham (via Geograph)/Kivo (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Sheff

Beloved Sheffield beer shop announces closure with heartbreaking statement

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Beloved Sheffield beer shop announces closure with heartbreaking statement

An independent beer shop that's been operating in Sheffield for more than a decade has announced its closure.

Beer Central has been keeping our city stocked with great beers from local breweries and beyond for years, operating a tiny shop at The Moor market.

While ownership switched last year, with Megan Lindop and Ross Lindsay taking over the reins from Sean Clarke, the heart of Beer Central was unchanged - proper northern beers, European bottles, and fantastic wines.

But now the pair have decided, after 'a lot of reflection and sleepless nights', to cease trading.

They wrote in a heartbreaking statement that it's been a 'genuine privilege' to run Beer Central, but that the reality of running a small business in the current economic climate has become too difficult.

Beer Central posted: "This decision has not been made lightly, and it carries a lot of sadness. What we will always be proud of is the community that formed around Beer Central."

Signing off this 'incredibly special' chapter, their statement finished: ""We may be closing, but the memories, friendships and community it created will stand everlasting. Thank you for being part of an institution."

Dozens of people have left messages of support for Beer Central, including Duration Brewing, who commented: "it’s just so tough out there. Sorry to hear and all the best for the future."

Beer Central has announced its closure
Beer Central has announced its closure
Brilliant local beer shop slams 'lowlife individual' who broke in to steal bottles of wine. Credit: The Sheff
Beer Central operates in The Moor market

Someone else posted: "This is so sad to hear. You were always my must visit place whenever I came to Sheffield. Will miss browsing the wonderful selection."

Another comment reads: "Gutted to read this. Always friendly staff and great selection of beers. All the best for the future x."

Beer Central's full statement reads: "This is one of the hardest things we've ever had to write.

"After a lot of reflection, sleepless nights, and some incredibly difficult decisions, we've had to accept that Beer Central has come to the end of its journey and will now cease trading.

"After continuing Sean's legacy back in September 2025, we have been truly honoured to be part of such an incredible beer community in Sheffield. Being trusted with a place that meant so much to so many has been a genuine privilege, and something we will always be proud of.

"Unfortunately, the reality of running a small independent business has become increasingly difficult, and a number of factors have brought us to a point where continuing is no longer possible. This decision has not been made lightly, and it carries a lot of sadness. What we will always be proud of is the community that formed around Beer Central.

"To staff - past and present - your contributions and hard work helped make Beer Central an institution. To our loyal customers who continued to buy from us and build those huge saves boxes with us - thank you. Your support means the world.

"To Sean - it was an honour to carry on something you worked so hard to build, that became so prominent in a thriving beer community, albeit for a short period of time.

"Beer Central has always been more than just a bottle shop. It's been a meeting place, a community hub, and a space where people who love great beer could come together. Being part of that has been incredibly special to us.

"We may be closing, but the memories, friendships and community it created will stand everlasting. Thank you for being part of an institution x."

Read more: An independent open-air community hub with street food and outdoor screens is planned for Sheffield city centre

Featured image: The Sheff

The Sheff

Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure becomes chairman of Sheffield FC

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure has officially been confirmed as the new chairman of the oldest football team in the world, Sheffield FC.

He might be a die-hard Wednesday fan, but given the turbulence his lifelong club have been through over the past couple of years, maybe this is the start of a new love affair.

Sheffield FC had teased that important news was coming soon earlier this month, simply writing on socials: "Not long until we can tell all. We’ve been sitting on something big."

As it turns out, the news is that one of the Steel City's most famous and beloved sons is now part of the club's new ownership structure. McClure quickly took to social media to help join in with the announcement as well.

The veteran indie frontman and Day Fever co-founder has continued to branch out from solely music-related ventures, having gone into business not only with multiple names for the smash hit afternoon-into-early evening music festival, but also joining forces with a fellow Sheffielder.

Since November of last year, Jon's has often appeared alongside his brother Chris, who plays the comedy character of 'Steve Bracknall' on the Game's Gone podcast.

A bit like Yorkshire's answer to Alan Partridge, there remains a sporting throughline in pretty much all of the 44-year-old's career at the moment - now so more than ever.

Speaking online, McClure said: "What am I doing at the world’s oldest football club, you ask? Well, meet the new chairman of Sheffield FC.

"Our vision is that we honour the club’s roots and pay homage to its incredible history, whilst restoring it to its former glory." He's already been making his presence known around their home ground.

While some are still looking for updates on the plans to bring the historic outfit back closer to Sheffield proper - the non-league club currently playing at The Home of Football Stadium in Dronfield, Derbyshire - this fresh start for the now oft-neglected native minnows has still sparked some excitement.

At present, 'The Ancients' are in the process of developing a new 5,000-seater arena at the old Sheffield Transport Sports Club site in Meadowhead, which was initially slated to open this year.

But as for the musician, he went on to add that "There’s a lot to be done, but we’re ready to get stuck in and give Sheffield FC the love it deserves"; McClure and co. have dubbed this "a new chapter" for "the first in the world", and the update will no doubt bring some fresh hope to the organisation.

What do you make of the announcement, and is a local figure like Reverend and the Makers' Jon McClure the right person to help take over this community cornerstone and national institution?

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Featured Images — Sheffield FC/Reverend and the Makers

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