Bristol City's next opponents plot 'bin liner' protest in stadium for Robins clash as chairman tensions build

Bristol City have carried on from a successful 2024/25 with a strong start to the season under new manager Gerhard Struber.

It was not an easy task to replace Liam Manning, who had got the Robins into the play-offs last season before departing for Norwich City over the summer. But Struber began his reign with a stunning 4-1 victory at Sheffield United and has not looked back since as optimism of another successful season has grown.

Sitting in sixth place after four matches played with two wins, zero defeats and nine goals scored, EFL Cup second-round defeat at Fulham has, in truth, been the only blot on a solid start to the new season so far. New signings such as striker Emil Riis have also impressed.

Next up, Bristol City take a trip to Sheffield Wednesday, who have struggled on and off the pitch. It could be an eventful day as reports have emerged of protests taking place the day of the Championship fixture against the Robins.

Bristol City opponents Sheffield Wednesday set to hold protest

It has been a difficult few months for Sheffield Wednesday off the pitch. The great club has hit financial turmoil under chairman Dejphon Chansiri, with players unable to be paid over much of the spring and summer and a mass exodus from the club the result.

According to reports by The Star, Wednesday fans are set to hold a ‘bin liner’ protest at Hillsborough on Saturday during their home fixture against Bristol City. Fans will use bin liners to cover up Chansiri’s name where it features on the seating in the North Stand, in a clear protest against his ownership. At full-time, fans will then demonstrate beneath the South Stand, outside the directors’ entrance.

The 1867 Group are leading the protests and a ‘teddy bear’ protest has also been planned for future matchdays after it was postponed earlier in the season. Soft toys will be thrown onto the pitch in a further protest against Chansiri, though a date has not yet been confirmed. Various protests have taken place across the season so far and on Thursday, fan group London Owls held a demonstration outside the Thai Embassy in London.

‘The Chairman does not represent Sheffield Wednesday’ - fan statement

The 1867 Group is a fan-led protest movement which began against Chansiri back in 2023. A statement by the initiative regarding Saturday’s protest read: “The disgraceful “Chansiri” branding on the North Stand seats will be covered in black and gold bin liners, which will be distributed by our volunteers. These protest colours will send a simple but powerful message: this chairman does not represent Sheffield Wednesday.

“Following the match, we will gather outside the Directors’ Entrance for a throwback demonstration reminiscent of past regimes. Bring your banners, wear your protest colours, raise your voices. We will show visible, vocal opposition to Dejphon Chansiri’s continued mismanagement of our club.”

There is sure to be a hostile atmosphere as players of Wednesday and the Robins alike take the pitch at Hillsborough. While the away side will be hopeful of continuing their strong start to the season on the pitch, it will no doubt be an encounter to look out for as Wednesday fans continue to hit out against the ownership at their club.