Owls chairman salutes Blades

25 May 2009 11:52
The Blades currently lie just 90 minutes away from a return to the money-spinning Premier League two years after their relegation, and Owls chief Strafford feels their Steel City neighbours deserve respect for what they have achieved without breaking the bank. He told Wednesday's official website: "Putting aside the tribal rivalry, you have got to say that if they get promoted then United have again proved what can be achieved if everyone gets behind a well-run club with stability. If long-term viability is a genuine priority then the footballing side of a club is given every chance of success. "Neither Burnley or Sheffield United can be compared with the likes of Leeds, Newcastle or Portsmouth; they have built progressively without racking up huge debts. For the future of our game it is important that proper and appropriate financial approaches underpin the business plans of our clubs. "The wider football community would perhaps support Sheffield United more readily but for the unfortunate strategy of seeking to gain reward through the court rooms where they fell short on the pitch, However, putting that to one side, you cannot fail to commend what has been achieved at that club. "If United do get promoted it may also give Sheffield Wednesday an extra kick up the backside to get on and build in the same manner. Everyone involved with Sheffield Wednesday needs to go from feeling pained about our recent past to feeling hungry about taking our club forward."

Source: Team_Talk