Sheffield Wednesday’s logistical issue must bring back similar feelings for Wayne Rooney and Derby County

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There’s a week to go until we get underway in the Championship for 2025/26, and Sheffield Wednesday fans will be fearing the worst right now.

While clubs have been working hard this summer to get their squads up to scratch for the new season, the Owls have gone through something of a nightmare over the last few months.

The majority of player wages have not been paid on time on several occasions recently, leaving the South Yorkshire outfit with a three-window transfer fee ban. Now, there are fears that players could strike with a friendly against a Burnley XI already cancelled.

According to Alex Miller, Sheffield Wednesday players are thinking about booking their own hotels for their opening Championship fixture against Leicester City, and the situation is starting to feel similar to Derby County’s in 2021/22.

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In 2021/22 Derby County experienced wage problems like Sheffield Wednesday

Throughout the last decade, there have been several clubs who have gone through financial hardship. Bolton Wanderers, Derby and Wigan Athletic have all entered administration in the last six years, with the Rams now back on the rise.

In September 2021, administrators Quantuma took charge of the East Midlands outfit, and over the course of the next 10 months the Championship side fought for survival both on and off the pitch with assets being sold such as Graeme Shinnie and Luke Plange – although the latter returned on loan.

As per Telegraph Sport, Wayne Rooney’s agency had secretly paid staff and player wages to bridge the gap before a potential takeover from Chris Kirchner, which eventually fell through.

There was a hope that doing this would have given the American more time to complete a deal, but luckily for Derby, another came in and rescued the club. David Clowes, who is well-liked by Kieran Maguire, ensured that the club did not go into liquidation in July 2022, before the Rams rebuilt.

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The Owls need a saviour similar to David Clowes

A takeover bid for Sheffield Wednesday has already fallen through this summer, and with players potentially having to fund hotels themselves, the reality of the situation is hitting harder than ever.

Chansiri has to sell the club soon, however, after only slashing the price of the club by £50m, this could take longer than hoped.

Supporters are unable to enter the North Stand at Hillsborough until further notice, adding another problem on top of a mountain of issues in South Yorkshire and there is seemingly no end to this terrible summer.