League One side Sheffield Wednesday have been served with a winding-up order by HM Revenue & Customs over £600,000 in unpaid tax owed.

It is the third time in three months that the club has faced such an order.

Chairman Howard Wilkinson said the Owls were considering a loan offer from a potential investor to pay the bill.

Earlier this month they were saved from administration after reaching agreement with the Co-operative bank over an unpaid tax bill.

The new order is due to be heard on 17 November.

Wilkinson told BBC Radio Sheffield: "One of the three investors we are talking to got in touch last night and offered a facility in the form of a loan in order that the current situation with the HMRC was resolved and some of the uncertainty taken out of the situation.

"What we have got to do now is explore the feasibility of such a loan."

Following a fans forum on Wednesday, Owls chief executive Nick Parker said an overseas oilfield company had offered the £600,000.

But Parker would not be drawn on whether the consortium was led by former goalkeeper and manager Chris Turner, who recently resigned as Hartlepool boss.

Wilkinson refused to confirm the identity of the investors but said he was confident the bill would be paid with plenty of time to spare.

"I am hoping that this time we won't get to the last minute," he said.

Wednesday were relegated from the Championship last season, with the club estimating the drop into League One has already cost them 20% of last year's income.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version