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Sheffield Wedneski: Russians believed to be behind Owls takeover



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Published Date:
29 February 2008
CONSORTIUM front man Geoff Sheard has kept up his wooing of Wednesday fans, as the belief grows that Russian money is behind his attempted Hillsborough takeover.
But there has been no sign yet of an offer for Wednesdayite's shares or those held by the club's other major shareholders.

Wednesday held a board meeting yesterday; chief executive Kaven Walker has refused to comment on what took place. The Owls said earlier in the week that they would go public when they had something concrete to tell fans.

The longer a delay goes on the more fans will wonder whether a change in power is imminent.

Sheard promised Wednes-dayite a written offer several days ago for their 10 per cent stake but last night they were still waiting, which probably means that the club too have yet to receive a firm bid from this consortium or a second one who have shown interest.

But Sheard, who has had many chats with Wednesday-ite, has now contacted Shareholders Association chairman David Coupe.

What do you think of the prospective Russian investment in Sheffield Wednesday? Post your comments below.

Click here for Owls reporter Paul Thompson's exclusive insight into the possible takeover.

Russia, said from the outset to be a possible provider of the Sheard consortium's money, now looks like the likely proposed source, with one or possibly two undisclosed billionaires being linked with Hillsborough.

One suggestion is Vladimir Yevtushenkov, from Moscow, who made a fortune from the telecommunications industry.

Sheard, who who seen at Hillsborough last week, was never thought to be funding a bid personally but has been the representative of an unknown consortium.

Now he has talked to David Coupe, who said: "He asked us what our position is. I told him we do not hold any shares as an organisation but we would recommend our members to accept any decent offer. The alternative, we believe, is administration.

"Obviously the longer this goes on with nothing moving, the more sceptical people will be. It was said Wednesdayite would receive an offer - they haven't got one yet, and the club are saying nothing.

"I'm as frustrated as anybody else, but if somebody is putting in £50 million - if the that's the right figure - it's not going to happen in two minutes, and I still have to believe that this is the real deal.

"Geoff Sheard obviously has a feel for Wednesday supporters. He wants everybody pulling in the same direction.

"Nobody knows yet for sure who these consortia are or what the extent of their investment would be."

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The full article contains 491 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 29 February 2008 10:44 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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1

King Reid,

Manchester 29/02/2008 10:13:34
WTF!!!!

Please be true! :D
2

TrueViews,

Sheffield 29/02/2008 15:04:33
If this falls through then the club will probably go into administration and certain relegation. Then the shares will be worthless anyway. The debate will be - who killed off SWFC?
3

Nadinho,

Heeley 29/02/2008 15:15:18
I don't want greedy Russians idiots taking over Sheffield Wednesday!

Owls fans, you don't want Wednesday to be like Chelsea, do you?!
4

King Reid,

29/02/2008 15:56:42
Nadinho – You don't want Wednesday to win silverware year after year like Chelsea have done under Abramovich?

Why are the Russians greedy or idiots? The way I see it they'll have to put at least £50M of their money in to make us half-successful. Who cares if they then sell us on at a profit if we're in our rightful place of the top half the Premier League!

I personally couldn't care less if the new owners are Mongolian or Martian as long as they put money in to the team, stadium and debt.
5

owl18teen,

shiregreen 29/02/2008 16:14:35
i agree with king reid

we have been out of the premiership for too long who care if we get like chelsea for one i dont.

if this bid comes though we can make a fresh start next season bring some new players and go for peromotion into the premiership and get to what we used to be when i was younger

up the owls
6

bobsego,

sheffield 29/02/2008 16:27:19
"Nadinho"
Sound's like a sour blade to me?
"Up the Owls","Up the Russians".If that who it is.
7

Nadinho,

Heeley 29/02/2008 19:32:46
I HATE RUSSIANS!
8

owl down under,

29/02/2008 23:26:15
Unitedites making snide comments about russians--what does that tell you? I've worked with Russians for years--both in Russia and outside of it. Can't fault 'em myself. Up the Blades Heeley--RIGHT UP 'EM WHEN WE GET THE SPONSERSHIP!!!
9

Nadinho,

Heeley 01/03/2008 21:02:08
owl down under

I'm not a blade!
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