In The News: Tue 27th September

By Nicholas Rigg
September 27 2005

In this section of Wednesday Wonderland we take a look at how Wednesday are hitting the news: either in newspapers, or on other media websites. These articles are totally independant from Wednesday Wonderland and are not the views expressed by our site.

from Sheffield Star:

SHEFFIELD Wednesday are eating away at their debt problem and were given a big boost by their promotion season, the annual accounts reveal today.

 
A second successive rise in income under the chairmanship of Dave Allen saw their turnover rise by seven per cent, to £9.66 million, say figures for the year ending May 31.

The previous year's operating loss of £3.4m before transfer activity was cut to £2.5m, and that figure includes interest payments of £1.9m which were not actually paid last year, because payments were suspended under a deal with the club's bank, the Co-op.

Gate receipts last season jumped by 13 per cent to £4.77m, and the average attendance rose to 23,107, the highest for six seasons.

Operating expenses were down by nearly six per cent, to £10.29m, and promotion was achieved with a wage bill of less than £3m.

The cub's overall debt, however, remains roughly unchanged at around £27m - which demonstrates the importance to the Owls of the training ground scheme, which could bring in £10m.
In his message to shareholders, Allen praises manager Paul Sturrock and his team for achieving promotion.

He said: "There is no doubt that our coaching staff and the players came up with the goods when it really mattered. They all deserve our praise and gratitude for their achievement."

He also praised the "tremendous achievement" by supporters in helping the club to achieve its highest season-ticket sales for over a decade in 2005-06, a figure of 15,940.

The accounts confirm a donation of £50,000 from Allen to fund the signing of midfielder Steve Adams from Plymouth.

Directors' loans of £4.35m remain in the club. while debt to the Co-op was reduced slightly, from £22.7m to £22.65m.

The annual report and accounts will be presented to the AGM at the Cutlers Hall on October 31.
Allen's report also says: "I would also like to record my thanks to the Co-Operative Bank, who have continued to give the board their full backing over the past year. In addition I thank the staff at the club who, as always, have worked tirelessly on behalf of Sheffield Wednesday.

Sturrock, meanwhile, is not ruling out a Graeme Lee-Graham Coughlan partnership at Crystal Palace tonight, which would mean Richard Wood missing out. Coughlan has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the 2-2 draw at Luton.
 
 
from Yorkshire Post:
 
Wood could take knock if Owls gamble
Ian Appleyard

SHEFFIELD Wednesday defender Richard Wood could be the loser should manager Paul Sturrock take a selection gamble tonight.
 
The Owls travel to Selhurst Park where they have not managed to beat hosts Crystal Palace in 10 meetings during the last 23 years.

Sturrock's gamble will surround his selection at the back where Graham Coughlan, Graeme Lee, Lee Bullen and youngster Wood are vying for two centre-back spots.

Sturrock is desperate to bring some stability to his back four after being forced to employ a string of different permutations so far this season.

However, he has been unable to reach a conclusion on his preferred central pairing and is also without one of his key options – summer signing Drissa Diallo – for another month with a torn thigh muscle.

Coughlan's unavailability last Friday at Luton Town because of a virus opened the door to Lee who had been out of favour since the first three games of the season.

The former Hartlepool defender responded with a solid display and scored a goal in the 2-2 draw, making it tough for Sturrock to hand Coughlan – who is now fit again – an immediate recall.

Wood has missed only two games this season, but is only 20 and at an age where too much football too soon can lead to burn-out. For that reason, Sturrock may well be tempted to play Coughlan alongside Lee.

While Wood can argue his performances have been of a consistent standard, it may also benefit his long-term development to take a break at this stage.

Coughlan has been the Owls' most consistent defender since a summer move from Plymouth Argyle while Lee was playing the best football of his Hillsborough career prior to injury last March.

Captain Lee Bullen is the other option, but Sturrock appears to place more value on his captain's abilities in other areas of the field.

"I hope that whoever I leave out will be knocking on my door if they feel they have a grievance," said Sturrock last night. "It is important that people are desperate to play for this football club.
"I don't think Graeme Lee let himself down in any way at Luton, we did not lose, and he has been sat on the periphery waiting for his opportunity."

On pairing Lee and Coughlan, the Owls manager said: "There is always that permutation as well. Funnily enough, it is probably the only permutation I have not used so far. We need a settled back four, but lack of form or injuries keeps taking people out of the equation. You start winning football games when you have a settled back four.''

Winger Jon-Paul McGovern is a major doubt for the Owls with a thigh strain.

Paul Sturrock: "I am sure Palace will be blow off their cobwebs sooner or later, I just hope it is not tonight."

Positions: Palace 15th, Wednesday 24th

Last time: Palace 0 Wednesday 0; February 22, 2003; Championship.

Key man: Graham Coughlan.
 

from BBC Sport:

Wednesday manage to reduce losses
Sheffield Wednesday announced losses of £2.52m for the year ending May 2005.

The loss - almost £1m less than the previous year - was lessened by the Owls' promotion season, with match receipts rising by 12.7% to £4.77m.

Chairman Dave Allen told the Owls' website: "This season we are aiming for consolidation - I don't expect us to be in the top six - nor the bottom six.

"I expect us to be in a position to challenge for promotion to the Premiership within three years."

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