Exclusive: Sheffield Wednesday Sale Sees Administrator Kris Wigfield Take Back Seat

Kris Wigfield, the administrator who had effectively been overseeing the sale of Sheffield Wednesday, is set to take a lower profile role in the process, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Sources close to Hillsborough last night told SportsBoom that the administrator, of Begbies Traynor, will no longer be the public face of the company’s attempts to identify former owner Dejphon Chansiri’s replacement.

The move comes after WhatsApp messages, purportedly sent by Wigfield to a private group, were leaked on the internet. 

Although their legitimacy has not been verified, some of those vying to beat a consortium led by poker player James Bord to a deal are understood to have expressed concerns about how the bidding procedure has been handled since Chansiri was forced to relinquish control.

As well as being tasked with ensuring The Owls’ future is secure after financially imploding under the Thai’s controversial stewardship, Wigfield is a lifelong fan of the club and long-term season ticket holder. 

DECISION

That, combined with his decision to interact with South Yorkshire’s regional media and issue a number of public statements on the matter, has led some of those challenging Bord and his associates to question whether Wigfield is the best person to head BT’s work at Hillsborough. 

There is no suggestion whatsoever of any impropriety on his part or failure to adhere to the correct professional principles. But certainly, at least one businessman looking to purchase Wednesday is known to believe a more independent figure should be at the forefront of the drive to save them.

Bord, who also boasts an interest in Dunfermiline, is currently in pole position to replace Chansiri after being granted preferred bidder status by Wigfield and BT just before Christmas. 

Curiously, he has also been heavily influential across the City at Sheffield United, advising their hierarchy, who like him also hail from the States, on how artificial intelligence can dictate recruitment. 

DISASATROUS

Many United fans hold Bord responsible for their team’s disastrous summer transfer window, which has left them languishing towards the foot of the Championship rather than challenging for promotion after reaching the play-off final last season.

Wednesday are propping up the rest of the division after being hit by two points deductions by the English Football League, and destined to slip into the third tier.

Although Bord appears confident of being handed the keys to Wednesday, many of his rivals think he could struggle to pass the EFL’s stringent checks after so far refusing to disclose who his backers are.

Mike Ashley and Dave Richards, who like Wigfield hails from Sheffield, retain an interest but are not convinced the £30m asking price represents value for money given the investment The Owls require elsewhere.