Owls shed seven

Last updated : 14 May 2008 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday have today released seven players, including four players with regular squad appearances.

As has already been widely documented, Club Captain Lee Bullen's 4-year spell at Hillsborough has come to an end. The defender has already expressed his desire to remain in contact with the club and he will be hoping to lend his experience to help coach the youngsters when his schedule allows this next season.

Midfielder Burton O'Brien is also on his way out of the club. BOB made 26 starts for the Owls in the league this season but was largely regarded as a squad player when everyone else was fit.

Despite making around 100 appearances for Wednesday since joining from Livingston in the summer of 2005 he has struggled to hold down his place on the left-side of midfield and often failed to influence the game as much as perhaps the supporters would have expected.

Ronnie Wallwork has also played his last game in a Sheffield Wednesday shirt. The combative midfielder made a good start to his brief Owls career, including a solid performance in the Sheffield derby at Hillsborough but he lost his place after being substituted before half-time against QPR and few will be surprised to see him go.

The final player with 1st team experience not to have been offered a new contract is second-choice 'keeper, Rob Burch. Having joined from Spurs last Summer Burch made just two league appearances, finishing on the losing side on both occasions. He did however have a strong finish to the season in the reserves and will be looking to become a 1st choice goal keeper elsewhere.

The young fringe players who are also on their way out are defender James Kay, midfielder Dave McClements and striker Jason Bradley.


Central midfielder Sean McAllister had a fine end to the season when he managed to break into the 1st team and he has been rewarded with the offer of a new contract. Luke Boden, Richard O'Donnell and Liam Mcmenamin have also been offered new deals.

It is thought that with the release of the seven named players Brian Laws will have a little bit of extra money available in order to bring in some new faces.