The search for a new owner at Sheffield Wednesday has taken an intriguing turn after a familiar face from the football business world was spotted in the stands at Hillsborough.
Key Figure Sparks Speculation
Charlie Methven, the former chief executive of both Charlton Athletic and Sunderland, was seen watching Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Wednesday night. This appearance has immediately fuelled widespread rumours about a potential takeover bid for the Championship club, which is currently in administration.
The 49-year-old executive stepped down from his role at Charlton Athletic in March this year, just two months before the club secured promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs. His unexpected presence at Hillsborough has certainly turned heads, given Wednesday's well-documented financial distress.
Club in Crisis After Chansiri Era
Sheffield Wednesday entered administration following the controversial near-11-year tenure of owner Dejphon Chansiri. Since his departure, the club's loyal supporters have demonstrated remarkable commitment, spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on merchandise and ticket sales to help stabilise their beloved team during this uncertain period.
The Wednesday night match that Methven attended saw Barry Bannan and Mathias Kvistgaarden on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw, though the on-pitch action was somewhat overshadowed by the speculation in the stands.
Methven's Football Business Background
Methven brings considerable experience in football club operations, beginning his career in the sport as an advisor at his boyhood club Oxford United. In 2018, he played a pivotal role in Stewart Donald's takeover of Sunderland, acquiring a five per cent stake in the process.
During his time at Sunderland, Methven provided crucial marketing advice and was instrumental in the creation of the popular 'Sunderland 'Til I Die' Netflix series. He left his position in December 2019, citing family reasons, before taking up the CEO role at Charlton Athletic in June 2023 following SE7 Partners' takeover.
When announcing his departure from Charlton earlier this year, Methven stated: "It has been an immense honour to serve this wonderful club. This time last year, when things were not progressing fast enough for all our liking, I agreed to move to south-east London and put my shoulder to the wheel." He highlighted that under his leadership, Charlton's revenues across commercial, retail, hospitality and ticketing were set to increase by approximately 30%.
Methven joins several other notable figures who have been linked with interest in Sheffield Wednesday, including John Textor, Mike Ashley and John McEvoy. While it remains unclear whether his presence indicates serious intent, his track record in football business and timing of appearance have certainly positioned him as a figure to watch in the ongoing saga of Sheffield Wednesday's ownership future.
