Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

Charles Stanley Logo
 
 
Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Exclusive: Sheffield Wednesday chairman Strafford takes tough line with online critics

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 07 July 2009
SHEFFIELD Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford spent over 12 hours defending his running of the club on a controversial fans website.
The internet tycoon was angered by comments relating to season ticket sales and the possibility of impending player departures.

During a string of messages posted between lunchtime and midnight on Sunday, Strafford warned his Owlstalk 'critics' that their 'negativity' could jeopardise the club's plans to move forward.

Former Owls chairman Dave Allen took legal action against the same website two years ago when a judge ordered its administrator, Neil Hargreaves, to reveal the identities of four fans involved.

Strafford, however, has displayed a willingness to exchange views with supporters over the internet for the last few months and, last night, he vowed to maintain his policy of openness and transparency.

"I might be the only chairman in football who communicates with fans like this but most successful industries in the world now have these open lines of communication," he said.

"I only got involved at the weekend because statements were made that were damaging," he added.

"I am not sure they were even posted by misinformed fans, it looked more like a case of people with an agenda."

Strafford acknowledges the club's season ticket sales are still nearly 4,000 short of the 16,500 target needed by the end of July to guarantee manager Brian Laws a £6.5m wages budget.

"To enable Brian to secure the extra signings he wants and optimise our push for the play-offs next year we need to sell 3,750 more season tickets in the next four weeks," said Strafford. "That may look like a steep target to some but I still believe there are many Wednesdayites out there who can and would be better off committing to season tickets."

Strafford has blamed the involvement of 'old school' agents as one of the main reasons why some players are stalling on new deals.

The Owls have offered Marcus Tudgay, Richard Wood, and Tommy Spurr new packages but all three have yet to sign.

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 07 July 2009 9:35 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Yorkshire
 
Prev
1
2
1

Paul Statham,

Sweden 07/07/2009 10:20:14
Why link this non-issue to our previous regime's scummy actions of suing fans? I think you'll find that the vast majority of us strongly support Lee Strafford and believe in what he's doing with our club.

Personally I think it's great to see a Chairman that lets his own words do the talking, rather than a Chairman that lets his lawyers do his talking.

Despite being an ex-pat and thus not buying a season ticket I hope that those remaining holdouts do finally see the light and buy one so that we can start to see the club rebuilt on and off the pitch.
2

longreach1,

Ripon 07/07/2009 11:35:27
Yet another non-story.
Mr Appleyard, maybe there is a "real" story out there about a club suporter, legal fees and a well known businessman.....or would that mean you having to get up off your arris?
3

,

07/07/2009 11:51:23
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

bigjimjockeyowl,

sheffield 07/07/2009 11:55:20
And whilst we're on the subject Ian, weren't you banned from SWFC by the previous regime? And which supporter who happened to be the chair of Wednesdayite at the time lobbied repeatedly for the lifting of your (and all other) ban(s)? What link do you suppose he has to my previous comment?
5

Fish Smoker,

The Pond 07/07/2009 20:30:59
Amateur journalist of the year goes to.....

What an awful piece of writing. My god does this man actually get paid by the YP?
So Mr Appleyard spends 12 hours on a football forum website and then sees fit (or his editor does) to report how another person spends 12 hrs on a website..

The one big SWFC story of the summer which you all know about goes unreported and instead you action this pathetic piece of work?

YP used to be good but this steady stream of ineffective writing and shoddy, lazy journalism just reminds everyone why your sports journalists have no credibility whatsoever.

Back to school me thinks Ian...

Journalism, just remind me - what is that again?

6

shireowl,

sheffield 07/07/2009 23:05:11
openness and transparency dude, shame your journalism does not report why ex board members lied and promised to pay legal fees then put head in sand , LS is trying to get the club back on track and putting fans in the picture, now you if you read above and do some real journalism you might be took serious.
7

Handsworth Blade,

Waiting for the season to start 08/07/2009 11:15:14
I do appreciate that after the management that the club has had for the last ten years, Mr Strafford must seem like a breath of fresh air to all Wednesdayites.

However, should your Chairman really be on public internet sites, 'mixing it up' with the normal bunch of know-nowts and keyboard warriors who frequent it. Should he be dropping hints about matters that should stay inside the club, commenting on how other clubs are run, or begging all and sundry to pressure other supporters to meet his (now obviously) optimisitic ST sales target.

The last Chairman called them 'cretins', this one calls them 'fudders'. Toe the party line or else...
8

ssblue,

SHEFFIELD 08/07/2009 23:31:14
Just a bit of a gripe "internet tycoon" if this was true why does he not put his hand in his pocket?
i think he should show what he has spent since he arrived at the club since he has not put money in, i am not happy at all with this man and how he is running our club he has not done anything other than a bit of media spin and cost the club money its wrong that somebody can be a chairman of the club but not invested money into it,
also i see part of the Richards family is sneaking its head back into the club another part of a story untold, and what is the big news around Wednesday that has gone unreported? o well my guess is average start some brain washing media spin that administration whilst having a good few points to help cushion the 15 points and then having a fresh slate to work from is the best way to go i can see this at xmas then by march chants of sack the board lol time will tell.!

9

Fish Smoker,

09/07/2009 09:15:05
ssblue -

Two things,

1) How has LS cost the club money?
2) If you are a Wednesday fan, why would you LOL at the prospect of administration?

Is that you Karen?
10

PRSG12,

London 10/07/2009 10:48:38
Mr.Stafford has stated that he is not entirley happy with this article.

controversial fans website? I believe it was the previous board that was controversial. Calling fans cretins and scum.

Work experience journalism once again!
Prev
1
2

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
 
 

Features

Today's Vote

Was Stuart McCall right to step down as Bradford City manager?
Yes
No


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.