Boss hits out at Bates

Last updated : 29 March 2004 By Andy Parsons

The Owls boss has branded Ken Bates’ comments during last week’s press conference as ‘unprofessional’ and even the ex-Chelsea chief admitted to a local radio station that he wanted Wednesday to lose against Brighton on Saturday to swing the fans opinions in his favour.

Bates will send a letter to Allen this week with 22 certain points he wants answering, although the current chairman says he has already responded to that particular request and some things he is not entitled to know.

Some of the questions raised by Bates will be regarding the sale of Middlewood Training ground, future plans for the club and perhaps the shrouded dismissal of Alan Sykes.

Bates has stated that Hillsborough should become ‘Wednesdayite’s second home’ and could redevelop it further like he did at Chelsea, especially with some high-quality derelict land around the S6 area.

But Turner is not happy about how everything regarding Bates’ interest has materialised in the last few days.

He says: “It was unprofessional that people who really have this football club at heart arrange a meeting 48 hours before a game.

“We lost Graham Lee before kick off on Saturday and should have lost to Brighton on their current form, and if two or three teams below us won, we could have been caught in a relegation battle and at the end of the day if you get some bad results you can end up going down.

“What I can say to certain people is that they don’t look at the big picture – these are supposed to be people who are Sheffield Wednesday fans, and if there is any assault to be made they should really look at that, but they are not bothered about the club.

“He (Bates) mentioned Chelsea players. We are not Sheffield Chelsea, we are Sheffield Wednesday and my firm believe is that as a supporter, we have a man at the helm (Allen) who will take this club forward.”