Exclusive:Mayor of Honolulu expresses admiration for Sheffield Wednesday fans ahead of shindig
Sheffield Wednesday’s end of season match with West Brom this weekend will have a Hawaiian flavour to it.
Just when it was felt the last 18 months of life at Sheffield Wednesday couldn’t get any more surreal, the Mayor of Honolulu pops up to express his admiration for the club’s supporter base.
The Owls are 90 minutes away from waving goodbye to one of the most arduous campaigns in the history of English football, throughout which multiple miserable records have been set to the backdrop of ownership wrangles and uncertainty over the very future of the club.
One thing that has remained constant is the defiance of the club’s supporters, who early in the campaign rallied to accelerate the downfall of failed owner Dejphon Chansiri and have received national recognition for their defiant support throughout the season.
Saturday’s final outing against West Brom will see Hillsborough take on a ‘Honolulu Wednesday’ celebratory feel, with fans encouraged to don Hawaiian shirts and beach clothing while bringing along inflatables. It is hoped the afternoon will double-up as a celebration of new ownership as US consortium Arise look to finalise their acquisition of the club. The process is ongoing.
The theme of the day - which will take place at a sold-out Hillsborough - is the brainchild of members of the Supporters Trust, who led by board member Jake Lee have acted together with Wednesday and others to publicise the spirit of the event. Inspiration has been taken by the unique ‘Honolulu Wednesday’ chant that has provided much of the soundtrack to displays of fan defiance all season.
Earlier this month The Star took the liberty of alerting the office of Rick Blangiardi, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and were met by a fascinated response to the Owls’ travails - and particularly the role the club’s fanbase has taken in keeping Wednesday going in the face of such difficult circumstances.
Mr Blangiardi is on a diplomatic visit to China at current but took the time to send his best wishes to Owls supporters - inviting them to sing louder than ever before as they look on in hope of a brighter future.
A message sent to The Star read: “Aloha! As mayor of the City and County of Honolulu — and a long-time college football coach here in the U.S.A. — I want to send my best wishes to all the Sheffield Wednesday fans ahead of your end-of-season celebration at Hillsborough this weekend.
“Though I don’t follow English soccer quite as closely as I follow American football, I was very happy to hear that the Sheffield Wednesday faithful have rallied together behind their club this year during a period of real adversity. I know exactly what kind of impact that sport can have on a community, and I applaud your commitment and resolve!
“From all of us here in Hawaiʻi — and especially the more than one million residents of the island of Oʻahu that I have the privilege to represent — I want to wish you well with your Honolulu Wednesday event and invite you to sing louder than ever before. Here's to brighter days ahead!”