Sheffield Wednesday: Owls chief feels right at home in Steel City

In a little over 17 months at the helm, Chansiri has fallen in love with the Steel City and, more specifically, Sheffield Wednesday.

As he prepares to embark on his second full season as owner of the Championship club, Chansiri revealed: “I’m more comfortable here. I feel like this is my home.”

Wednesdayites have taken Chansiri to their hearts - and the feeling is very much mutual.

It would mean everything to the Thai businessman to reward the Owls’ loyal faithful with promotion to the Premier League.

The team came ever so close to achieving thatobjective last campaign. Ultimately, Hull City edged the play-off final last May, a defeat which still rankles with Chansiri now.

“I was very sad last season,” he said. “I was disappointed we could not finish the job.

“I felt sorry for the fans. They were perfect.

“Everyone wanted to get promoted and that’s what we tried to do.”

It was not a nice feeling for Chansiri standing and watching Hull’s players and coaching staff collect the play-off trophy at Wembley.

“The trophy was beside me,” he said.

His parents had flown in especially from his homeland for the showpiece fixture. It just wasn’t Chansiri or Wednesday’s day.

Bur rather than dwell on the past, Chansiri has turned his attentions to the future. For him, it is all about the club now building on their sixth-placed finish last term.

It is understood Chansiri has increased the playing budget again this season. He has already sanctioned the signings of goalkeeper Jake Kean and striker Steven Fletcher.

But Chansiri insists the club must continue to balance their books accordingly to ensure they comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. He said: “I think we know our strengths and weaknesses.

“Our team is strong. It just needs a bit more strengthening.”

But he believes it will be even tougher this year, with clubs such as Newcastle United, armed with big parachute payments, joining them in the second-tier.