Blunkett in frame as new Owls director

The Yorkshire Post has learnt the Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, who is a lifelong fan, is prepared to offer his services to the board through an initiative organised by supporters' group Wednesdayite.

The group, which owns 10 per cent of the club's shares, has proposed three potential new directors to the Owls after a week in which administration was only avoided after an emergency injection of funds from the club's bank. Wednesday, who are more than 30m in debt, had faced a winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over unpaid tax.

The other two potential directors are boxing proter Dennis Hobson and former chief executive of the Press Association Paul Potts.

Mr Blunkett, the president of Wednesdayite, took an active role in negotiations with HMRC and earlier this week stated he hoped the club's board would be "immediately strengthened".

He declined to comment last night when asked if he was one of the three being proposed.

In a statement, the group said the three could provide experience, expertise and resources to help the club in the serious work ahead.

"We would hope that the SWFC board, sufficiently strengthened in the way we are proposing, will then seriously engage with seeking an investment solution which includes a significant involvement of the general fan base and ordinary shareholders."

But the club delivered a cool response in a statement. It said: "Outside of Saturday's game against Carlisle, our prime focus is on working with the Co-operative Bank and potential investors to raise the investment that this club needs to secure its long term health."