A sorry tale that could get worse before it gets better
Non-football and football employees at Sheffield Wednesday still haven't been paid their wages for May. There are ways and means of raising funds to rectify this situation. Academy star Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri is being linked with clubs like Manchester City. Wednesday could make it clear they're willing to negotiate on manager Danny Rohl's release clause, something they should have done weeks ago given what has since occurred at Hillsborough.However, there's something desperately sad about a club selling off assets simply to pay staff who are not on a lot of money and are understandably concerned about when they're going to get their wages in full.Even if they sell Cadamarteri or allow Rohl to pursue another job at a knock-down price to get through the current crisis, the club surely can't just limp along waiting for the next financial dilemma? But what is the solution to avoiding this?It's my understanding no party is anywhere near to buying the club from Dejphon Chansiri and it's unclear if there are any serious bidders anyway. It seems like a complex situation behind the scenes and it might not be as simple as an individual or consortium agreeing to a quick sale.What does that mean then? If the club is some way off a takeover, is it even possible to carry on even if funds are raised?Meanwhile you've got contracted players probably looking at the situation with utter disbelief. You wouldn't blame them for wanting out. Who will manage the team next season? The idea that in about six weeks, with the new season on the horizon, that it'll be business as usual feels like a total fantasy.It's a sad, sorry tale for a football club that has lurched from one problem to the next in a 25-year spell outside of the top-flight. It probably deserves more national attention than it's getting. What is the future of Sheffield Wednesday? The fact you can't answer that question with any certainty should be big headline news.Clive Betts MP released a statement pleading for a buyer to come forward to save the club this week. Many fans who speak to us, though, fear things will get worse before they get better.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Reece James hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer
Reece James is hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer. The Chelsea defender wants to pin down his place in Thomas Tuchel's side in the upcoming games against Andorra and Senegal while his sister Lauren has overcome injury to be named in the Lionesses squad for Euro 2025 in July. James is delighted for his younger sister and knows the siblings are making their parents proud. 'I'm delighted for her,' the right-back said. 'She obviously got injured with England at the back end of the season, and I'm happy she got selected to represent England going into another Euros. 'I've spoken to her briefly yesterday, I know she's focused on training and trying to get her body right for the tournament. 'The family are very much happy. Both of us representing our country, they're proud.' James has some competition if he wants to make the right-back position his own for next summer's World Cup, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker also in contention. The 25-year-old has had an excellent campaign for Chelsea, leading them to Europa Conference League glory and Champions League qualification, with the chance of more silverware to come with the start of the Club World Cup later this month. He believes he is going in the 'right direction' and is not fazed by competition for places. 'I had a difficult two or three seasons, always being injured and coming back and breaking down again, and it was tough,' he admitted. 'It takes a lot out of you when you have so many setbacks. 'This season, I feel like I've come on leaps and bounds, playing on a consistent basis, getting selected for England again. I'm feeling strong, and for sure, I'm moving in the right direction. 'It's something I'm used to, playing or competing with world-class players. 'They're two phenomenal players in my position. 'And yes, of course, it's going to be tough. But we all have different capabilities and different strengths, just whichever one the manager wants to play.'
Telegraph
27 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Labour spends £35k on pub beer mats to boast about minimum wage rise
Labour spent more than £35,000 of taxpayer cash on beer mats in pubs advertising the increase to the national minimum wage, a minister has admitted. The Government sent out promotional material to pubs across the country to tell workers that the minimum wage and national living wage were going up. Justin Madders, the employment minister, rationalised the £35,580 expense as he said the beer mats offered a 'unique opportunity to engage audiences in a social, high-dwell environment where financial conversations naturally occur'. The red and pale blue beer mats were government-branded and said: 'Millions got a pay rise.' 'National minimum and living wages went up on 1st April', it added, and displayed a barcode for customers to scan for details on how to 'make sure you're getting paid correctly'. The employment minister responded to a written question by Richard Holden, the shadow paymaster general, about the cost of the drink mats. He said: 'The cost to advertise in pubs using beer mats was £35,580, which was approved at official level.' He confirmed that the advertising push was approved by the Cabinet Office, and came out of the 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage campaign budget of £650,000. He added: 'The 2024 campaign saw an increase in reach to eligible workers. However, recognition remained low, reinforcing the need for bolder, more engaging formats for the 2025 campaign, which expected to deliver an estimated 3.2 million impressions. 'It offered a unique opportunity to engage audiences in a social, high-dwell environment where financial conversations naturally occur. 'This setting encourages discussion and word-of-mouth sharing about rate changes and offers an effective nudge for audiences to 'check their pay'.' 'We will be ruthless' Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have both pledged a war on waste in Whitehall, with the Government having taken such moves as freezing government credit cards and abolishing NHS England. The Prime Minister said in October: 'We will also be ruthless in clamping down on government waste, just as we will be ruthless on clamping down on tax avoidance ', emphasising the intention to show so the British people that 'every penny counts'. He added: 'Every single person in this country had to do that during the cost-of-living crisis and government must be no different.' The national living wage for those aged 21 and over rose from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour, an increase of 6.7 per cent. The national minimum wage for those between 18 and 20 went up from £8.60 to £10 per hour, a 16.3 per cent boost. The Government has also begun to name and shame firms that do not pay their workers the appropriate wages, demanding they pay back what they owe and in some instances a further financial penalty.
The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘This club is addicted…' – Tottenham fans all say the same thing after controversial Ange Postecoglou sacking
TOTTENHAM FANS have slammed the club as a "disgrace" for sacking manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager was axed by Spurs today despite leading the club to their first trophy in over 17 years with Europa League success this season. 3 A club statement claimed that the unanimous decision to sack the 59-year-old was one the "toughest" the board has had to make. Adding: "Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph." But fans have been left less convinced that moving Postecoglou on was the right decision, with the announcement sparking fury on social media. One fan wrote: "Absolute disgrace!!" While another added: "What an absolute joke of a football club". A third simply fumed: "DISGRACE." A fourth posted: "This club is addicted to self-sabotage. Embarrassing. Thanks Ange, for reminding us what it's like to actually win something." And a fifth wrote: "Stunned, and incredibly disappointed." 3 Postecoglou, who had recently teased a third season in charge, released a statement to the fans after his dismissal. The farewell message read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. Postecoglou unrecognisable in amazing throwback video as first club share emotional 3-minute tribute after Europa League "The opportunity to lead one of England 's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime." Later adding: "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success." Tottenham told fans in a statement that "news on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course". Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' Brentford manager Thomas Frank is currently thought to be the front-runner to take over from Postecoglou. Frank has become one of the Premier League's most highly rated managers thanks to his work with the Bees. However, Fulham boss Marco Silva is also thought to be in the frame for the North London club. Hiring Frank could prove costly business, with the Dane's release clause believed to be around £10million. Reports had already claimed Spurs will have to fork out £4million in compensation to dismiss Postecoglou, with that figure coming on top of the £2million bonus he earned for winning the Europa League.
