Speaking to fans with respect, engaging them, revealing just enough of the plan to feel like they’ve got an idea of the direction of travel. It doesn’t happen anywhere near enough in football, with the previous regime at Hillsborough a classic example of this.
Fans were often treated to five-hour fans forums where they were shouted at, talked down to, described as mere customers and baited to ‘sell their house’ when they dared to suggest Chansiri sell the club.
On this night, in front of this audience, the message being sent by the new owners was clear – things are going to be done differently now.
Storch delivered a popular line at the end of the night: “It’s not uncommon to look at football clubs and hear United, City, Town. We’re Wednesday. And there’s a power to Wednesday.”
It’s a very different message to one of Chansiri’s more notorious comments, “Actually, Sheffield Wednesday is not that big.” He didn’t need to say it – but he did. Too many missed open goals, too many baffling mistakes.
At one point Bruce reeled off five key things he thinks any club needs to be successful, going into great detail on each point. It was impressive – and set out the vision for the future.
None of this, of course, guarantees future success on the pitch. The work required at Sheffield Wednesday is substantial and this is the first step up a huge mountain for all concerned.
Yet there’s a feel good factor around the club at the moment that isn’t typical for this part of Sheffield. That’s definitely something to build on.
