Exclusive:Would-be Sheffield Wednesday chief was a secret figure in Middlesbrough away end
The takeover process at Sheffield Wednesday continues, with hopes retained that the deal can be completed next week.
One of the key figures in the planned rebuild of Sheffield Wednesday was a covert member of the sold-out away end at Middlesbrough in midweek, The Star understands.
The Owls fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in what was their penultimate away trip of the campaign, with their travelling supporters once again receiving plaudits for the positive atmosphere generated in spite of such a difficult year. Members of the Boro home end were spotted standing to applaud the efforts of their Wednesday counterparts at the final whistle - and clapped early chants of an anti-EFL sentiment.
One member of the away end who went unnoticed was David Bruce, the outgoing Sunderland business chief that earlier this month The Star reported was all lined-up to become Sheffield Wednesday CEO should the takeover efforts of Arise Capital Partners come to fruition. That process is ongoing, with The Star of the understanding that parties are still very much working towards the planned May 1 completion date.
It is understood that Bruce, a North East native, attended the match in the away end with his wife in order to get a better feel for the fan base approaching his potential new role. He was praised for his approach to fan engagement during his time at Sunderland, with the Arise consortium having made noises around the importance of positive, fan-focused changes should their takeover complete.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness indicated he believes the intended hire of Bruce to Sheffield Wednesday is a positive one. He said: “I’ve had a good look at what he’s done at Sunderland, and he’s certainly done some solid stuff.
“What would attract him to Sheffield Wednesday is obviously the comeback story that could be made there. He knows there is the raw material in terms of the fan base. In a funny way, it’s similar to Sunderland in the sense that they’ve had the shadow of another club, and they’ve had to dig deeper into their own fan base and create more deals, and they’ve done that successfully.
“Sheffield Wednesday is going to be an amazing story if somebody gets it right. He’s there for the longer term to lay good foundations, which he seems to be very capable of doing. But it isn’t just going to be like you’ve got three or four years to get this right.
“From day one, David’s going to have to get them right and put the foundations in place that can grow. He’s certainly capable, he’s young enough to have the energy and the ability to do it. He’s well thought of within the game, and so he’s got every chance.
“For Sheffield Wednesday, that’s a good signing, and it’s a shame for Sunderland that they’re losing him. So overall, it’s a thumbs up from me, and I wish him the best of luck in what he’s going to do.”