Former Sheffield Wednesday player Andy Blair says “the demise of the whole club is nothing short of tragic,” following the announcement that The Owls have entered administration.
Andy Blair featured for Sheffield Wednesday across a two year spell between 1984-1986 where the club became a staple in the English First Division (now known as the Premier League).
40 years later, The Owls find themselves in a very precarious position in terms of their existence, under the tenure of owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Speaking exclusively to ParkLife Sport, Blair passionately shared his overwhelming emotion towards the club and the situation they find themselves in.
“It’s awful news, but hardly surprising with the way the club has been in decline.
“I don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes, but anybody whose played for Sheffield Wednesday, and I had two glorious years there, will know you fall in love with the club, the area, the people, seeing this happen to them, it’s just terrible.”
Many Sheffield Wednesday fans decided to boycott their latest Championship fixture against Middlesbrough which was aired live on Sky Sports.
“The fans at any football club are the lifeblood, whilst they don’t run things on the day to day basis, they’re the heart of the community.
“The owners and director have a responsibility, knowing what it means to that community, due diligence towards all the staff who work at the club, the players and unfortunately these owners haven’t been doing that as of late.”
Andy Blair’s son Matty Blair, featured for Gloucestershire based side, Cheltenham Town between 2020 and 2022, with Matty even scoring at both ends of the pitch, including a 91st minute equaliser in a fixture between the two sides back in 2021.
Ross Blair, Matty’s older brother, and Andy son was a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan who sadly passed away in 2017 aged just 32.
“That game was very emotional because of what it meant. His brother was born in Sheffield and subsequently always followed Wednesday because of that connection, I spoke so fondly of at the time.
“We had such a great time in Sheffield, met fantastic people and it was wonderful and still to this day that lives in our memories as a family.”
