Sheffield Wednesday rebirth continues as David Storch holds meeting with former Owls stars
Sheffield Wednesday welcomed a collection of former players back to Hillsborough on Thursday night for a meeting with the club’s new hierarchy.
Sheffield Wednesday’s hierarchy welcomed a crop of former players back to Hillsborough on Thursday evening amid their ongoing quest to rebuild the club’s relationship with their stars of the past.
Former Owls players were often dismissed and overlooked by former owner Dejphon Chansiri, who was frequently criticised for not taking advantage of their knowledge of the club and their emotional connection to it.
However, new chairman David Storch is determined to tap into their knowledge and celebrate Wednesday’s history. He has already demonstrated that he wants to engage with anyone who can educate him about the club and teach him about its rich and colourful history.
On Thursday, a collection of familiar faces were invited to Hillsborough to hold discussions with Storch, who was flanked by his son and Arise Capital Partners colleague Michael, chief executive David Bruce, and new sporting director Simon Wilson. The latter was officially unveiled by the Owls earlier this week.
The Owls shared an image on their social media channels on Friday morning of David and Michael Storch, Bruce and Wilson standing on the steps outside Hillsborough’s main reception surrounded by former Wednesday players. In a post on X, the club said: “The reconnect continues.”
Among those in attendance at Hillsborough for the meeting included former Owls player, manager and chairman Howard Wilkinson, who was stood front and centre, flanked by David and Michael Storch.
Another famous face who was present was former Wednesday striker David Hirst, who revealed last weekend that he had been offered the opportunity to become a club ambassador. The Owls, on Monday, revealed that the 1867 Lounge at Hillsborough is going to be transformed to become ‘Hirsty’s Social’ as part of their plans to improve their matchday offerings.
Alongside Hirst and Wilkinson, other famous faces to have been in attendance included the likes of Chris Turner, Martin Hodge, Nicky Weaver, Mel Sterland, Carlton Palmer, John Pearson, Greg Fee, Imre Varadi, Terry Curran, Jon Newsome, Lawrie Madden, Rodger Wylde, Jack Hunt, Daniel Pudil, Ross Wallace and Lee Gregory.
Storch, as already documented, is determined to celebrate Wednesday’s history, meaning he is keen to rebuild the club’s relationship with its former players.
Chris Waddle, who was not in attendance at Hillsborough on Thursday evening, recently criticised Chansiri’s failure to take advantage of Wednesday’s history.
"Chansiri lost touch with the ex-players," Waddle told BBC Radio Sheffield. “He wanted to wipe that history away because he wasn't the chairman at the time. You can't do that. A lot of these fans remember those days - and cling to those days, to be honest.
"The new owners have come in and want to embrace it. Hopefully, and luckily, I think we've got the right guys in charge."