Sheffield Wednesday FC served with 'winding-up' petition

Fri 23rd Jul 2010 | Football Club Administration

The BBC has reported that Sheffield Wednesday Football Club have been served a winding up order by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

The action by HMRC relates to an outstanding PAYE balance which amounts to £550,000 but the club remains confident that it can settle the outstanding debt before theyl appear at the High Court on 11 August.

A club spokesman said: "We have been involved in dialogue with HMRC for a number of weeks. As such, we are disappointed by their decision."

He added: "Sheffield Wednesday would like to inform supporters their club is not about to be wound up.

"We understand that HMRC is taking a tougher line in general with football clubs, but feel their actions are disproportionate and will raise unnecessary speculation as to the financial situation of the club.

"We can inform supporters that the club, working in partnership with the Co-operative bank and their advisors, will seek to settle this matter as soon as practical."

The Co-operative bank has also issued a statement: "It is disappointing to note that HMRC has presented a winding up order in respect to Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.

"The Co-operative bank has been working extremely hard for some time with representatives of the football club and investors to explore ways to ensure its future stability.

"At present we are continuing to enter in to dialogue with our advisers, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and potential investors to explore solutions which will allow the club to operate on a sound and secure financial footing for the future."

F.C. Business Editor, Ryan McKnight added “Today’s news will only help to compound HMRC’s current action against the ‘football creditors ruling’. One might even suggest that HMRC will begin to be more aggressive towards clubs in order to build up a stronger case for a change to the ruling. This, of course, does not justify a club not paying its taxes. The weight of expectation continues to manipulate clubs into not realizing their business responsibilities. Until clubs start to do that (which is unlikely) or regulation comes into effect forcing them to do that, I can see very little other than the status quo remaining.”

The Owls, who were relegated to League One last season, were involved in takeover talks in January with Chicago-based investment company Club 9 Sports, but no agreement between the two parties was made.

 If you have any football business related news stories you’d like to share then please contact us – agourley@fcbusiness.co.uk or ryan@fcbusiness.co.uk

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