Wilkinson stands down from Owls board

Sheffield Wednesday director Howard Wilkinson has stepped down from his role on the club's board. Wilkinson, 67, always maintained he would stay on the board only as long as a buyer for the club had been found when he replaced Lee Strafford as chairman in May last year. Milan Mandaric completed his takeover at Hillsborough in December. Wilkinson said: "When I took on the role as chairman of Sheffield Wednesday in May 2010, I did so on the agreement and understanding that I would remain in the role only until we secured a buyer for the club and until the subsequent transmission of ownership had been effectively and smoothly completed. "I now feel that we have achieved the twin objectives of finding a new owner and successfully managing that transition. I will of course continue to assist the club I have played for, managed, chaired and supported in its efforts to re-establish itself as a major player in English football." Wednesday chairman Mandaric said: "As he said right from the beginning, Howard has always had the best interests of Sheffield Wednesday at heart. "I fully respect his decision to stand down as a director and thank him for helping to keep the club together when it really needed that support. Howard's input has been very important since I bought Sheffield Wednesday. He will remain everyone's friend at the club and will always be welcome at Hillsborough."

Source: PA