'Needs knocking down' - Lee Gregory delivers brutally honest assessment of Sheffield Wednesday issue
Lee Gregory believes Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough home needs “knocking down” after years of neglect.
The 37-year-old has fond memories of the stadium having represented the Owls between 2021 and 2024.
He was part of the squad that sealed promotion from League One in 2023, featuring in the historic play-off semi-final victory over Peterborough United.
However, it is no secret Hillsborough is in dire need of work to bring it up to the standards set by some of their rivals.
In a brutally honest assessment, Gregory has suggested Wednesday need to start over again from scratch when it comes to stadium redevelopment.
Lee Gregory’s assessment
He told The Football League Paper: “When you talk about what’s needed, it’s literally everything. The stadium is awful. The training ground is awful.
“For a club that big, which has played in the Premier League, the state of the place has to be seen to be believed. And that’s coming from someone who played in non-league.
“Don’t get me wrong, Hillsborough is an incredible place when it’s bouncing. I played in the 5-1 win against Peterborough, when we came from 4-0 down in the second-leg of the play-off semis, and I’ve never felt an atmosphere like it. It was amazing that night.
“But it’s been left to rot for years. When you look at it objectively - and I hate to say this - the whole thing needs knocking down and starting again. Same with the training ground. And how many people have the money to do that?”
Sheffield Wednesday hoping for a brighter future
Wednesday have been in administration and are still looking for an investor to pick up the baton from the ousted Dejphon Chansiri.
A consortium led by James Bord recently withdrew from the takeover process, dealing another hammer blow to a weary fanbase.
While a lack of progress has left fans frustrated, many of them are still lamenting the turbulence overseen by Chansiri during his time as owner.
Gregory said: “When it (promotion to the Premier League) didn’t happen, everything came crashing down. Even though we knew it was coming, it’s been gutting to see.
“That’s why these new owners - whoever they are - can’t just come in and focus on climbing back up the leagues.
“Putting money in at the top without building from the bottom is like pouring water in a bucket for of holes, isn’t it? It’ll stay full if you keep pouring. But the second that tap’s turned off, it’ll all come flooding out.”