Chris Wilder has failed to rule out the rumours of a potential merger between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, whilst speaking to The Star.
Sheffield Wednesday entered administration last month and ae on the lookout for a new owner. The club’s administrator are ramping up talks with potential buyers with up to seven serous contenders in the running, including former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.
However, recent reports have shocked those in Sheffield, after it was revealed that the Sheffield United owners enquired about a merger with Wednesday.
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
This isn’t the first time that there have been reports of a potential Steel City merger with talks back in 1999, largely coming from Sheffield United, regarding a deal to merge into one Sheffield club. Though this time round, it’s the Blades ownership looking to invest in SWFC, and bring them under the same ownership umbrella.
Chris Wilder comments on Sheffield United and Wednesday merger
After the news of the potential merger came out, the Sheffield United owners released a statement, insisting their commitment to the club but failing to directly comment on the merger rumours. Now, SUFC boss Chris Wilder has also commented on the matter, and he too has failed to rule out the possibility.
Speaking after his side’s 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday, he said: “My job is hard enough, in terms of where we were at and where we’re trying to get to. Everything will be dealt with by Steve Bettis [SUFC chief executive] and the owners. But as far as I’m concerned, absolutely full, one hundred per cent concentration and commitment to looking after the players and getting the team hopefully up the table, and into a position where we want to be and should be.
“The owners put the statement out and I’m 100 per cent fully dedicated, as committed as ever and more driven than I’ve ever been to improve performances and improve results. It’s a big few weeks coming up for us. There’s a big game on Saturday [away at Leicester City], a big January transfer window coming up. I think we all understand that in terms of moving players on that I don’t think will take us forward, and bringing players in that will hopefully take us forward.”
Mike Ashley sees Sheffield Wednesday bid rejected
Ahead of the December 5th target for naming a preferred bidder at SWFC, there’s a lot going on. Not only do we have COH Sports [the Sheffield United ownership group] mulling over a potentially shocking Sheffield Wednesday takeover bid, but we also have bids coming in for the Owls from elsewhere.
On Wednesday it was revealed that Ashley had submitted a formal bid to buy Sheffield Wednesday. He came in with what seems like a lowball £20million offer and it has since been revealed that Sheffield Wednesday have rejected Ashley’s bid, though it’s sounding likely that he’ll come back with an improved offer.
Image courtesy of: DAVID KLEIN/REUTERS.
For SWFC, the next few weeks are crucial in shaping their short and long-term future as a football club. And expect SUFC fans to now be paying close attention to the situation in S6, as it’s likely that the vast majority of their fanbase are largely opposed to a merger with the Owls.