Sheff Wed set to be served winding-up petition

Sheffield Wednesday will “imminently” be served with a winding-up petition over money owed to HMRC.

After an investigation conducted by BBC Radio Sheffield alongside the Sheffield Star, it is understood the Championship club owes £1m.

A winding-up petition would increase the pressure on the club’s owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell.

They are already under five separate EFL embargoes after failing to pay wages on time in five of the past seven months.

Wednesday are second bottom of the Championship with six points from nine games after a torrid period off the field, which has left them with a threadbare squad.

The severity of the situation became apparent when May’s wages were not paid on time, in the wake of the same thing happening in March.

With uncertainty ongoing and the club placed under various registration embargoes, highly-rated manager Danny Rohl departed in July and his assistant Henrik Pedersen took charge 10 days before the season started.

The team did not play a single pre-season friendly in front of fans and players pulled out of a training match against Burnley after July’s wages were not paid.

Fans have organised protests before and during games so far this season and they boycotted the home EFL Cup ties with Leeds and Grimsby, while the supporters’ trust also encouraged fans not to buy drinks or snacks in the stadium.

Analysis – Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

For the last week we’ve been working on this story alongside the Sheffield Star. It isn’t a surprise and has been on the cards.

So what does it mean? A winding-up petition is a formal court application, filed by a creditor, to force an insolvent company into compulsory liquidation. With HMRC owed £1m they are believed to be ready to take that step.

It could mean administration for the club, although that is not guaranteed, but it also means a distinct possibility that Chansiri’s time at Sheffield Wednesday is close to coming to an end.

What the future holds is unclear and no fan will rejoice at the words “liquidation” being brought up. But it could mean the opportunity for a fresh start.