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It's peace in Owls time - fans group and board end cold war



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Published Date: 18 September 2008
By Simon Meeks
THE cold war between the Wednesdayite fan group and Sheffield Wednesday football club is over.
Although Geoff Sheard's proposed take-over at Hillsborough continues to rumble on, the board and the shareholding supporters organisation are ready to work in harmony.

A three hour meeting between Wednesdayite top officials and Ashley Carson, Ken Cooke, Geoff Hulley and club chief executive Kaven Walker marked the start of cooperation between club and the fans organisation.

Wednesdayite chairman Darryl Keys described the meeting as 'a great stepping stone.'

"The club have agreed to in depth dialogue at board level and the chief executive's door is open to us," Keys explained.

"We are to be allowed to use club facilities. Various aspects of the day to day running of the club were discussed, such as ticket pricing and attendances. Some follow up is now required." The club will also accept cash from Wednesdayite 'for specific purpose', Keys added.

And there is to be an internet link on Sheffield Wednesday's official website to that of Wednesdayite.

"I see this as the beginning of a process of change at the club and those who are not receptive to it will be left behind. It is the start of positive, regular dialogue. Neither side held back, things were discussed candidly such as why there is no chairman."

Wednesdayite were gifted 10 per cent of club shares by former chairman Dave Allen. Animosity between the group and club developed when they refused to return them. Allen has since quit Wednesday and there is speculation he could take over at Chesterfield.

Keys expected a second meeting with board members within the next four weeks.

The Wednesday takeover was not on yesterday's meeting agenda.

Afterwards Keys repeated his plea to Geoff Sheard to move the takeover deal on. The pair met informally at the Reading match on Tuesday night. "Geoff knows that the ball is in his court and while it drags on there will be criticism and doubt. The only way to get the monkey off his back is to get the deal done," Keys stressed.People are ready to sell but is he ready to buy? If he can't do the deal - and I don't say this aggressively - then we have to move on."

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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The full article contains 440 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 18 September 2008 8:44 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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dizzys dad,

18/09/2008 09:21:11
Great news, I`ve got a season ticket, but don`t mind if the club reduce ticket prices dramatically. I enjoy the atmosphere at games when Hillsborough is full, so much more than at present. With so many people wanting to come, but not being able to afford it, why not bring back cheap tickets for people? Have kids for a quid every game. For all but the local derbies, have BOGOF tickets, Do whatever it takes to fill the ground. 20,000 empty seats every week is no good to the club. The players must be lifted if they run out to a full house every week, rather than huge areas of empty seats. Thousands of fans want to be there for every game, they just can`t afford to go. Don`t leave it too long before their support is lost for ever.
2

Parson X Owl,

Sheffield 18/09/2008 09:39:34
I think that it is symbolically important that Sheard was no where to be seen at the meeting last night.

In what was a ground-breaking truce between club and fan organization, that purportedly set the agenda for the club going forward over the next few years and where certain points were discussed such as funding, attendances and ticket prices.

Sheard was no where to be seen - He had no representation at the meeting and wasn't even involved by conference call, which would have been so easy to set up.

Sheard is playing the club for a fool. He is leading us on, like a puppy on a chain and we are following blindly in his wake. Every promise that he has made, he has broken and every deadline he has made, he has gone on to miss.

We still have no proof of funds, we still don't know who his mysterious fantasy backers are (and with the financial markets as they are, they are very likely to do a runner a.s.a.p.) We still don't know what his intentions for the stadium and the club are.

In short, we know absolutely nothing about this Sheard bloke, or what he wants for this club - Which incidentally is exactly the same situation as January earlier this year (9 months ago).

How much longer does he want and what is he waiting for? Does he still want us hanging on to his broken promises in another 9 months time?

Mark my words, Sheard is up to no good and is playing silly buggars with this club, whilst it continues on its slippery road to ruin. Sheard has no intentions of buying the club, yet is loving the media exposure that this whole circus is affording him.

Sling your hook Sheard - You are not wanted at Hillsborough any longer.
3

bobsego,

sheffield 18/09/2008 10:40:58
RE P X Owl
""Every one has the right to an opinion"

We all know at the moment G Sheard is the only one showing any interest in the Owls at present,but some of your remarks are out of order.Just wait and see what happens,if it all goes belly up then have you "rant".
But don't make remark's like "Sling your hook Sheard-You are not wanted at Hillsborough any longer".
4

wednesday surf boys,

plymouth 18/09/2008 10:54:10
I tend to agree with you Parson X.Sheard probably had his last free prawn sandwich at Reading.Go back and talk to Dennis and Andrew Hobson very successful wheeler dealers who have both got BLUE BLOOD running through there veins...... UP THE OWLS.
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Parson X Owl,

Sheffield 18/09/2008 11:08:11
Exactly Surf Boy.

While ever Wednesday are directing all their energies and resources in to this Sheard takeover fiasco, it will divert away from the main areas of concern, which should be the management, playing staff and coaching.

The Owls can't afford too many 6 - 0 drubbings, because if we do, we will be sucked down in to the relegation places faster than you can say "boo!" And once we are down there, I fear that we won't be able to get out of it.

Let's ditch Sheard and concentrate on the team affairs. All this takeover nonsense is distracting to the team, Mr Laws and the fans - as witnessed by the disastrous attendances of late. People are sick to the back teeth with Sheard and are losing interest in not only him, but with the club too.

Go away Sheard!!
6

leeleeowl,

rotherham 18/09/2008 11:11:04
Fantastic news.
Everything seems to be moving forward down at hillsbrough.Despite the result tuesday the team looks good enough to end up at least mid table.The manager appears to be doing a fine job and now the club and its supporters get together and settle there differances.Hopefully the board will listen to its supporters and work togethr to improve much of the things that are a mess at the club.
I am also a season ticket holder and would welcome price cuts to incurage support through the turnstiles.Another 10 thousand paying just a tenner plus refreshments,maybe a programme extra shirt/merchandise sales not to mention the noise and support generated to help the team on as got to be worth consideration.I think the next couple of months are going to be critical in shaping the future of Swfc lets hope the bad years are behind us.
7

oz_owl,

18/09/2008 11:50:21
"I think that it is symbolically important that Sheard was no where to be seen at the meeting last night."

Huh?

Why would Sheard be invited to this meeting? It was purely an attempt to resolve differences between the club and Wednesdayite so that we can all move forward. It had nothing specifically to do with the takeover and there would have been no earthly reason why Sheard should be present.

So his absence means nothing at all.

Anyway, I would lend my voice to those calling for cheaper tickets. The last two years in particular have been extremely damamging for fan morale, and it's imperative that the club does whatever it can to bring more people through the turnstiles. Cut price tickets for all but the derby games, season ticket holders being able to buy an extra half price ticket for every game, kids for a quid, buy a full price ticket get a free programme - anything that will encourage increased attendances has to be of use.

We cannot rely on being bailed out by investment to turn things around.
8

RickOwl,

18/09/2008 12:02:06
I think the price of tickets has to be looked at. I know they are only in line with other championship teams but say for example a family comes to the game you are looking at the cheapest seats being a total of around £60. I'd love to go to more games but the fact is, I work part time and simply can't afford it which I am gutted about. I know so many people that don't go because they say, why would I want to pay £25 to watch them loose anyway! Great news about wednesdayite and swfc, hopefully a deal will be done soon.
9

MorleyStOwl,

18/09/2008 13:08:52
Two things. Firstly of course sheard wouldn't be at yesterdays meeting. It was between the Wednesday board and the Wednesdayite board/representitives and to the best of my knowledge he is not a member of either at present, so nothing can be read into him not being there.
Secondly the most pertanent point of the foregoing, in my view, is Parson X Owl's reference to the current economic climate. With massive companies like AIG & HBOS nearly going under then I would expect everybody other than Saudi Royals would think twice before buying a debt ridden Championship club.
So is Sheard a timewaster? Well it's difficult not to draw that conclusion, however his consortium could just have been overtaken by the Financial Markets. Either way I think it's time to do one of four things -
i) Do the deal (please!)
ii) Slink off into the sunset
iii) Say sorry the deals off due to the economic downturn
iv) Say the econimic downturn has made things difficult but we are still trying to make it work so stick with us.
As for the meeting I think the board has realised nothing is going to happen fast and that they cannot just sit on their hands waiting for a cheque. There comes a time when pride has to be swallowed and assistance accepted from even your enemies outstretched hand
10

wesps,

18/09/2008 14:12:45
youre a funny guy parson x
''sheard has no intentions of buying the club, yet he is loving the media exposure the whole circus is affording him''

yep im sure hes loving being slated and having his credibility questioned every week in a LOCAL newspaper, hardly any of these 'breaking news' articles have made national press

not exactly exposure is it?? being ripped to bits in the local papers

anyway back to sanity, GOOD news today hopefully ticket prices should fall and more people can afford to come(credit crunch and all that parson x) nothing to do with sheard

did sheard once sack you from a job at asics or something? you seem to not like the guy too much
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