Wilkinson Issues Takeover Update

Wednesday chairman Howard Wilkinson has today issued an update to supporters on the quest to find a buyer for the Owls and save the club from administration.

Wilkinson has come under pressure from supporters and fans groups, along with the rest of the Owls board, in light of the recent events off the pitch and the lack of communication to fans over the future of the club.

And, as a possible coincidence or possibly purposely, the Owls chairman has issued his statement not long behind a joint statement by fans groups Time To Go, the Shareholders Association, and Wednesdayite, calling for a protest before tomorrow's match against Walsall.

Wilkinson's comments also come on the same day that former Owls chairman Lee Strafford published a damning write-up on the goings on at S6 in the boardroom.

His statement in full reads: 'I think it is fair to suggest that we have made progress on all fronts since Friday. I do not want to give the impression that there is a clear favourite at this stage. Nick and I have held constructive talks with the Bank and the loan note holders with a view to ensuring that a satisfactory deal can be delivered to a potential investor.

'All sides are looking to be in a position by which some clarity can be brought to this process by the weekend, such that an understanding can be reached with one of the interested parties that will give comfort to Nick and me that this fantastic club will not enter administration.

'Avoiding administration has to be our club's number one priority at this stage, and I wish to make clear that we are doing everything possible to avoid this. I also firmly believe that none of the other Board members or loan note holders will ultimately be the barrier to saving this club.

'At the moment Nick and I are in the final stages of negotiations with serious, potential investors which will, if successful, ensure the club's future security and success. It would be tragic if the prospects of completing one of these deals was to be prejudiced by intemperate and ill-informed comments which can only serve to deter investors from being associated with the club, not to mention the effect this may have on a team which is on a run of four wins and currently only four points from an automatic promotion position.

'I am also assured by the person heading the local fan-based investor group that he is in total agreement with this sentiment. As I have already stated, board members and loan note holders are not a problem in this process. This is a time for steady nerves and responsible behaviour.'

'All Nick and I care about at this stage is delivering a deal and to do that effectively people need to demonstrate some trust in our judgement and motives.

'Finally, I must praise Alan and his team for their efforts on Saturday, I know that our fans will get behind the team tomorrow and cheer them on to hopefully three more points.'

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