Howard's Way Gets Owls' Thanks

Howard Wilkinson stood down from his position on the Wednesday board today, and he goes with a big thank you from his fellow Wednesdayites.

And rightly so.

Wilko, born in Sheffield and raised as an Owl, played in the famous blue and white stripes before going on to manage the club in the eighties.

Before he stepped in to help out at Hillsborough in a behind-the-scenes role, Howard was already seen as a bit of a Wednesday legend.

But his dealings as interim chairman at Hillsborough over the last year or so could have been the biggest part he's played in the history of our great club.

When he took over from the departing Lee Strafford as interim chairman in May 2010, Wilkinson insisted he was only taking the role until he completed his task of finding a new buyer, and a bright future, for the club.

He was a temporary captain steadying the ship through rocky times - and they were rocky times. Arguably the rockiest the good ship Wednesday has ever experienced.

He bore the brunt of some Wednesday fans frustrations along the way, but Wilkinson maintained his cool, calm personality to guide the Owls to a bright new future under the guidance of Milan Mandaric, and in turn saving from club from administration.

Job done, and a mighty fine job done, too.

New chairman Milan Mandaric, who decided to keep Wilkinson on the board following his arrival, told the official SWFC website: 'As he said right from the beginning, Howard has always had the best interests of Sheffield Wednesday at heart.

'I fully respect his decision to stand down as a director and I thank him for helping to keep the club together when it really needed that support.

'Howard's input has been very important since I bought Sheffield Wednesday. Myself, Paul Aldridge and all the fans are very grateful for the time he has committed to the club.

'The transition process is now complete and we will continue to try our very best to take Sheffield Wednesday forward and back where it belongs.

'Howard will remain everyone's friend at the club and he will always be welcome at Hillsborough.'

Indeed, Mandaric revealed to Radio Sheffield that he'd like to keep Wilkinson involved at boardroom level, and no doubt he'll still be involved in some way, shape or form - hopefully for Owls fans anyway.

So a big thank you to Howard Wilkinson for his efforts at boardroom level for his, and our, beloved club over recent times.

His efforts won't be forgotten, and hopefully he'll be able to watch on from the stands, with his fellow Wednesdayites, as Wednesday make progression back to where they rightly belong - in the Premier League.

Thanks, Howard.

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