"A force for good" - Why Sheffield Wednesday fans are forming a new Supporters' Trust group

Official accreditation with the Football Supporters Association (FSA) would mean that the club are duty-bound by EFL rules to discuss issues with the Supporters Trust board at least twice a season, presenting the democratically-run group the chance to air any issues in an official capacity.

Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri is understood to be holding a series of informal meetings with invited supporters over the coming days and has in the past hosted controversial ‘fan forum’ events, the last of which was held in December 2018.

James Silverwood is one of a handful of lifelong Wednesday fans behind the organisation of a public meeting to be held next week, during which the group could be established.

Speaking to The Star, James said: “It’s about putting our views forward in a professional and constructive manner. It’s not about being a destabilising force, we want to affect positive change.

“It will be run by the fans, for the fans. The strategy will be dictated by the membership, but the opening vision is to be an organisation that has a positive relationship with the club, that our voices are heard on a number of issues and that we are constructive ina dialogue where we can put forward ideas that feel can improve the club on and off the pitch.

Asked whether this is a project driven by ego, as has been suggested by some detractors, James said: “There is no guarantee as to whether any of us [organisers] would even put ourselves forward to be on the board

“We’re just a group of fans that think this idea has lots of advantages. We think it can be a real force for good.

“It’s not about our egos. We hope other people put themselves forward to be on the board and that they can make the Trust a successful thing. We’re here to get it established.”

The open meeting will take place at Crookes Social Club on Monday March 16 from 7pm.