Arise Capital Partners completed a takeover of Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month

New Owls owner David Storch is going to offer a seat on the board to the Sheffield Wednesday’ Supporters’ Trust, saying he would not be at the club without them and that their role will never be ‘forgotten.’

Appearing via video link at the trust’s AGM earlier this week, Storch said it was a decision he did not take ‘lightly’ and that he wanted to show his appreciation. The supporters’ trust played a pivotal role in organising protests, boycotts and campaigns against former Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri this season.

US businessman Storch, his son Michael, and investor Tom Costin, of Arise Capital Partners, completed a takeover of the club at the start of May.

When asked what role the supporters will play in the future of the club, Storch said: “I've offered a seat on the board to the supporters’ trust. I don't do that lightly. I do that because I value the voice. I realise the importance. I can assure you that the fans are going to be part of this journey. This is your club. Those are not just words. I am the new guy on the block. I hope I bring the right level of enthusiasm, excitement, and professionalism, and together we create something really great.

“I think what you are going to see is a board that is going to be very engaged, active, and representative of what you would want to see, including a member from the supporters’ trust. We would not be here today without the supporters’ trust, and I am a loyal person, that will never be forgotten. It will always be appreciated, it will always be respected, and it will always be part of this journey.”

The decision has sparked some conversation online about how it might work. Jake Lee, interim vice-chair of the trust, explained that no formal proposal has been made yet, that there would be a vote by its members if any proposal was made, that it would be an unpaid role and that they would not have a say on footballing matters. He believes such a role should ‘enhance supporter engagement.’

He told The Star: “It was an idea first raised by the new ownership group during broader discussions around supporter engagement and transparency. They’ve made it clear that they want fan engagement embedded right at the centre of the football club, and it’s our understanding that a non-executive directorship for the trust could be one part of that alongside the introduction of a Fan Advisory Board, or equivalent structure, as required under the Independent Football Regulator.

“All supporters groups should have a voice at the new Sheffield Wednesday, and a potential board role for the trust should enhance supporter engagement across the board rather than limit the views of others.

“Naturally, we’re grateful for the confidence shown in the trust, but as a democratic community benefit society any such offer would require consultation with members and ultimately a referendum-style membership vote.”

“Any decision to accept a position on the club’s board would ultimately have to be decided by a membership vote. The trust exists to represent its members, so any major constitutional or strategic decision would follow a democratic process.”

The trust believes the biggest positive would be strengthening supporter engagement and ensuring the voice of its members is consistently heard.

Mr Lee continued: “We would champion meaningful fan engagement with all supporter groups, not just the trust, in line with the direction of the Independent Football Regulator and wider changes across football governance. That would include working alongside any new Fan Advisory Board to help ensure supporter views and concerns are properly heard by both the ownership group and executive leadership at the club.

“Our focus wouldn’t be on football operations or team matters. It would be about helping Sheffield Wednesday continue moving towards being a better club for supporters, families and the wider community.”

Mr Lee said they would need to examine the finer details of any such proposal before a decision is then put to their members.

“Any role would need to align with the trust’s principles and constitution,” he explained. “For example, the trust’s position would be that any role should be unpaid and non-executive in nature. The trust would also stipulate that it would not be involved in footballing decisions. The purpose would simply be to assist the club in improving supporter relations, communication and long-term engagement with the fanbase. Once the precise details of any proposal are known, it would then be for trust members to decide whether it should be accepted or declined.”

Mr Lee added the trust ‘absolutely’ understands concerns some fans might have about believing the trust should remain independent of the club so it can hold it to account, especially after what the club has recently been through.

“Provided it is structured properly and intelligently, a position on the board could actually offer the maximum level of accountability a supporters’ trust can realistically have within a football club,” he added.

“The trust has always acted in what it believes are the best interests of its members and the wider fanbase, and any future arrangement would need to preserve the trust’s ability to independently represent supporter concerns where necessary. But equally, if you have the opportunity to challenge or influence decisions before they are made, rather than simply criticising them afterwards, that can only be healthier for the football club in the long term.

“The trust board are volunteers who gave up huge amounts of personal time to hold the club to account during one of the darkest periods in Sheffield Wednesday’s history. That fundamental commitment to supporters would not change.”