David Storch sends message to EFL after completing Sheffield Wednesday takeover
David Storch has issued a lengthy social media message to reflect on his first few days as Sheffield Wednesday owner.
New Sheffield Wednesday owner David Storch has placed on record his gratitude to the English Football League (EFL) after Arise Capital Partners LLC completed their takeover of the club.
Arise concluded their purchase of the Owls on Friday, meeting their May 1 target date, and the lead members of their consortium - Storch, his son, Michael, and Tom Costin - were formally introduced to the fans at Hillsborough on Saturday ahead of the 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.
Storch brought his maiden speech as Wednesday owner to an end by revealing an anticipated 15-point deduction for next season has been quashed. It means the Owls will begin life in League One next season on a level playing field.
Storch, who also introduced the Owls’ new chief executive, David Bruce, ahead of kick-off, is keen to get down to business now he has secured the keys to Hillsborough, confirming he and his team are “proceeding ahead immediately on all fronts”. Infrastructure work at Hillsborough is expected to be a big theme this summer.
As well as that, the 73-year-old has also thanked the EFL for their efforts to help Arise complete their takeover by the start of the month.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, Storch said: “Wanted to take some time to reflect on a day I’ve been dreaming of for months. Saturday was perfect. Will never be able to express how grateful I am for the warm welcome the @SWFC fans gave my family and me.
“The sun shone down on our wonderful club on Saturday. It was the experience of a lifetime to enjoy the moment with you all. To share our new crest designed by the incredible local agency Peter and Paul. To share the news that after an incredible collaborative effort between my team, the EFL and BTG we will start next season on zero points!
“To introduce you to our incredible new CEO, David Bruce. And to witness over 30,000 of my newest friends singing for 99 minutes straight as our Owls closed out such a difficult season with a win.
“I’d like to further highlight how grateful I am to the EFL for their diligence and approach in working with us to ratify all issues and achieve our target of closing by 1 May. It takes a village; but without the commitment and tenacity of Asher Simons, Clive Betts MP and James Silverwood in particular, we would not be where we are today.
“It’s been an extremely emotional 48 hours for me after a long process, but now the focus is already completely on action.
“We are proceeding ahead immediately on all fronts and we will update you, the fans, as we go. You are the reason Michael and I are here, the reason we have fallen in love with this city and this club. We will do everything in our power to ensure we don’t let you down.”