Why a period in the shadows wouldn't do Sheffield Wednesday any harm
Alan Biggs on a year in the public eye for Sheffield Wednesday and why sneaking into the background wouldn’t be a bad thing
Going under the radar is seldom possible at a club of Sheffield Wednesday’s size, nor is it particularly desirable.
But the supreme irony of the club’s exciting rebirth is that, for a time, it will do exactly that where the wider world is concerned.
And, considering the kind of publicity Wednesday have attracted in the past year, that will be a very good thing indeed.
Not that the national media spotlight wasn’t beneficial. It helped force much needed change at Hillsborough.
However, it was still coverage of the wrong sort and now, on the flip side of all that, good news doesn’t sell. At least not in League One.
Perversely, the Owls have had more attention and scrutiny this past season than any other Championship club.
A period in the shadows won’t do any harm at all as the new Arise regime makes a purposeful start to transforming every facet of the club.
This will escape wider attention but will be noticed where it matters most, with strong support, galvanised rather than weakened by the crisis, guaranteed.
Where it also matters to be noticed is among potential signings on the market this summer.
All will be aware, not least from the adverse coverage, of the potential status of this club. Hillsborough will be an exciting place to play for anyone on the move.
That should make Wednesday competitive even in cases where they can’t quite match the wages on offer elsewhere.
As for actions behind the scenes, Arise have clearly chosen to communicate directly with fans.
A flurry of social media messages from David Storch has been acclaimed and not only for their content.
Simple communication alone denotes a refreshing change from the previous regime. And proves that openness will be reciprocated.
You have to say that, in the takeover itself and their whole approach, Storch and co are getting everything right where so much was wrong.