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Man behind protest plans speaks out with Sheffield Wednesday fans invading the pitch

Man behind protest plans speaks out on why action is needed with Sheffield Wednesday fans invading the pitch on the 10th minute.

During the Coventry game, a small group of fans made their way on to the pitch at Hillsborough, with home fans are displaying scarves and telling owner Dejphon Chansiri to leave their club.

There was also a strong backing of support from the Coventry fans, making their feelings clear about Chansiri’s decade of stewardship in no uncertain terms.

The protest was soon dealt with as the players head towards the dugouts. Then game soon got underway again.

Rob Staton (BBC Radio Sheffield): “About four or five have ran onto the pitch, they’re being applauded by the other fans.

“The game had been stopped and the players were taken to the touchline.

“There’s not enough for the game to be abandoned but more and more were joining.

“A few boos from the support but mostly cheers, they’re chanting for Chansiri to leave the club.

“It was a peaceful protest, the Coventry supporters were also cheering it.”

The game ended in a 5-0 win to Coventry, which saw them go top of the table ahead of the 3pm kick offs. A double from Asante-Thomas double, with Wright, Simms and Sakamoto all getting on the scoresheet.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield:

“They’re a very, very strong team and we gave ourselves a difficult beginning by being one down in three minutes.

“I still thought after the second goal we had the belief and we continued, but we didn’t have the clinical level they had, and then the third goal was a clear offside goal and it took the belief out of the team.

“We have to remember that we have to perform at our maximum level every time to get something.

[On the protest] “The general protest I understand, and I’m happy that it didn’t take longer than it did and we could come back to play the game.”

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard told BBC CWR:

“We couldn’t ask for much more from the week with three clean sheets and a lot of goals.

“The circumstances of the game were challenging going into it and I was very aware of that and I wanted the players to be aware of that. The idea you can cruise into a game like this is really dangerous.

“We worked hard and we’ve had a good start now up to this point, and it’s important we keep our feet on the ground, enjoy the moment, because it’s been a good week and rest up and try and continue with this form.

“My message to the players before the game was when you’re playing well you can’t let it go. Top teams take advantage of that and I felt that in the group this week and there you go.

[On the protest] “It allowed us to address a few things with the players and I understand the frustrations of the fans. We all know the basics of what is going on here and I have no problem with it. It was peaceful as such and the game carried on. I have big sympathy for what is going on here.”

@OwlsOnThePitch tweeted: “They say it has to be done anonymously so that’s what we’ll do. On The Pitch. 04/10/25. Coventry (H)

4 months wage defaults
8 Embargoes
14 senior pros
Fee restrictions
Selling our stadium
Danny Röhl mess
£100m losses
Record high ST prices
That’s just half of it…
He’s in hiding, no accountability.
The EFL thinking this is fit and proper.

The boys are trying so incredibly hard and they continue to be strangled our owner. Putting in a shift knowing they won’t be paid. I won’t accept that. You shouldn’t either.

It’s an awfully sad indictment of the club that this won’t cause much outrage. This has become the new normal and we shouldn’t stand for it. We need a new level of protest to show that we won’t stand for it. Hundreds are committed already. Are you with us?

Remember to keep it peaceful. No players, staff, officials involved. Sit in the centre circle until the game’s done. Dejphon Chansiri, Sell the club or the games don’t happen. 10th minute. Owls on the pitch.

Please be respectful of every fan’s choice of how they wish to protest the disgraceful situation we’re in. If you’re joining us, do not leave passionate fellow Wednesdayites out in the cold. There’s strength in numbers. Be peaceful. Send a message.

We’re not here to cause division, we’re here to offer a new option, an option that fans have been wrestling with for months. It’s on every individual as to how they chose to protest, but if you’re with us we need to 100% in. Once one goes we all do.

Morning Owls. There’s nothing left to say other than show strength, show unity in the fanbase. One man is to blame for the unacceptable treatment of the players and staff at the club we love and today we stand up to him.

Keep it peaceful. Be respectful of the players, staff and officials. Today is about directing your anger and frustrations at one man. Bring your scarves and your voices and tell him to sell the club. Don’t leave a man behind, all or nothing, there’s strength in numbers today, let’s show how much we care.”

@1867News tweeted: “I’ve had information that the players and manager are quite concerned about the plans for today. They are working very hard and fighting for every point. What they want is the opportunity to play without distraction and they definitely don’t want the game abandoned.

“Today’s protests are a tricky one for me personally. I’ve backed and been a part of everything that has been done so far. However, this is different. Invading the pitch can result in serious consequences for those involved and none of them directly target Chansiri. A lifetime ban, an appearance in court and potentially a points deduction for the club don’t affect him. They affect the fans.

“I fully support the mindset that we have to make a stand and we have to take action, and I won’t criticise anyone who wants to do something bold, but I’m not convinced that it will get us any credit with the players, coaches and the football authorities who have all supported us thus far.

“Everything we do needs to be carefully designed to put us closer to a sale, but I am not convinced this does. #SWFC”

The man behind @OwlsOnThePitch spoke to Alex Miller of Sheffield Star ahead of the planned protest:

“I was scrolling Twitter one night and realised I’d had enough of people saying it (a pitch invasion) couldn’t be done, so I took it upon myself to take it on and try to start something anonymously. I’ve reached out to lots of people for their take on it and had no idea how quickly it was going to take off, we had 600 followers in one day.

“We’ve run out of other options. I’ve seen the stuff about meetings with the EFL, with them only caring about games being fulfilled. I feel like this is the wake up needed to not only wake Chansiri up but wake the EFL up. I can’t take anymore of the apathy in the fanbase at all.

“It’s about applying pressure. The changes are coming with the IFR in terms of the Fit and Proper test, but this is a football and community club that is dying. With the IFR on the horizon I think this is the right message to send. I’ve had a lot of people from all walks of life saying it’s needed to happen and that this is the next step.

“Being perfectly honest, it’s not something that I 100 per cent thought about at the start when starting the Twitter account. I had no idea how big it was going to go and what sort of attention it was going to get. It was out of frustration. But the number of people saying they will get involved gives me faith that we can do this properly and see something like Reading had.

“It was out of frustration to start with and I would like to say I was thinking ahead with the repercussions. But now with where things are at, with people not getting paid, with the wider situation at Wednesday and the feeling of supporting the club, I’ve become fairly unbothered by what happens afterwards.

“I just want us freed by the situation we have now. I feel this is a step we need to take to essentially embarrass him (Chansiri). I don’t feel like anything with the protests so far have been hard-hitting enough or have really made a difference, other than the boycott. This is something I think can really make a difference to show Chansiri we’re serious.”

Regarding what take-up is the organiser expecting: “That’s the one thing I’m really unsure of. There’s been pushback from certain people and there’s also been a huge support. I do feel that some people have become a bit more reticent in recent days as we approach matchday, so I’m really not sure in terms of numbers. Hopefully we can get something similar to what Reading had.”

Bannan and Pedersen on Sheffield Wednesday chaos, Lampard seeks clarity on security

Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust said: “We recognise that supporters have chosen to express themselves in different ways over recent weeks, through both Trust-organised protests and actions arranged independently.

“As a Supporters’ Trust and Community Benefit Society, there will naturally be forms of protest that we will not formally endorse or promote. However, we fully understand the strength of feeling that has led to these actions being organised. Every supporter has the right to express themselves, and we will never stand in the way of anyone’s right to peaceful protest. The goal remains the same — to see lasting, positive change at our football club.”

Speaking to the pre-match press conference, Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen said: “We have not spoken about it today but I have heard about it. Of course the players and staff understand the frustration and we understand there are protests, but we also really hope it can be without risk and with safety for the fans.”

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