<div class="headline" id="ds-headline"><h1>Owls on the brink of a new era</h1></div> <div class="viewarticlepanel"><div class="multiimageon" id="MainMultiImage"><div id="MainImageDiv"></div><div id="ImageCaption">Is this the man to take over? A mystery man, thought to be Geoff Sheard, in the director’s box at Hillsborough on Saturday</div><div class="on" id="ThumbDiv"></div> <div class="noprint" id="divGalleryLink">View Gallery</div></div></div><div class="byline" id="ds-byline">By Paul Thompson </div><div class="ds-firstpara" id="ds-firstpara">WEDNESDAY fans are gearing up to hail a new era at Hillsborough as speculation mounts about a multi-million-pound takeover.</div><div class="va-bodytext" id="va-bodytext">But the Owls are refusing to confirm claims that they are about to be bought by a mystery consortium led by a Lancashire businessman, Geoff Sheard. It has been claimed that a deal worth £50 million is close, and that the money would come via a bank in the Bahamas from sources unknown, though speculation also touches on a group of Asian businessmen based in Britain, and even sources in Italy and Russia! Wednesday Shareholders Association chairman David Coupe said: "I believe this is the real deal. If things develop as we believe they will, we can look forward to better times than we have had for 15 years." Fan group Wednesdayite hope to receive an offer for their 10 per cent stake in the club soon. "We have been talking informally to this guy for a couple of weeks," said vice-chairman John Gath. "We have not had any formal confirmation on what's happening but we expect that in the next couple of days. "We are as excited as anybody and looking forward to what they have to say. If the rumours are true, it should be a good thing." But the Owls are sticking by their policy of confidentiality. Finance director Bob Grierson said: "All I can say is what we have said before, that we are talking to potential investors. "I can't comment on rumours. We are a PLC. We can only make statements when there is something to tell the shareholders. It's up to them (any would-be investors) to make their proposals. "We have talked to lots of people. Lots of people have come and lots have gone." Chief executive Kaven Walker commented: "Once we have got something concrete, we'll go public; at the moment we are not in a position to do so." Former chairman Dave Allen has confirmed that he would be willing to sell his 10 per cent stake. "In principle I would accept an offer to sell my shares on condition that Wednesdayite sell all theirs," he said. "Then hopefully the club can go forward with new investment from new owners and the genuine fans can start to enjoy the football." Supporters Club secretary Rita Nettleship said: "It sounds like positive news. I hope it will be signed, sealed and delivered." The Owls moved out of the Championship's bottom three with a 1-0 win against Cardiff on Saturday. </div>
Sad day for Barnsley if it does................... Right now we have a Chairman putting a bit of money into the club For the first time in living memory we are infront of Wednesday on the field but more importantly we are infront of Wednesday OFF THE FIELD Wednesday have debts of £30+++ millions and struggle to bring new players in If they get this new deal then we again will become the poor neighbour next door They think they are a big club so they act as tho they are a big club........they have self belief in their club and thats why they have had success with years in the premeirship And thats why there are Wednesday fans in Barnsley............but you dont see Barnsley shirts in Sheffield We never have had directors that thought like this
Its not 'cut & dried' yet by a long chalk It has too many 'ifs' and 'buts' Asian Italian Russians and a Lanc, 30 million for a relegation bound club, thats mega millions in debt. Dependent on all the parties selling their shares, that was not possible last time somebody wanted to take over the club. The input to improve anything would need to be 40 plus millions. Surely there are better clubs that can be bought for this sort of money.
I dont do......sly...............it would be great if PC could sell the club PC wants to sell the club He's done a fantastic job............but we need money pumping into the club PC has done well with the players he has brought in but I don't think PC has the financial clout to put Barnsley where Blackburn, Bolton and Fulham are
better clubs that can be bought for this sort of money.....YES there is .........................TARN !!!!!!!!!! (Y)
Would we realy like a consortium with no affinity buying BFC Cos I would,nt Would prefer to stick, for better or worse, wi Patrick
