Sheffield Wednesday served winding up order

SHEFFIELD Wednesday faces a winding up order over unpaid tax bills, the club has announced.

HM Revenue and Customs has petitioned the High Court and a hearing will be held on August 11 over the £550,000 outstanding sum.

The club expressed disappointment at HMRC’s decision and insisted Sheffield Wednesday was not about to enter administration or be wound up.

In a statement the club said: “We have been involved in dialogue with HMRC for a number of weeks. As such we have been somewhat surprised and disappointed by their decision to seek a winding up order at this time.

“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 position 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 is practical.”

A statement from Co-operative Bank echoed the club’s disappointment at HMRC’s actions and said it was continuing to talk to potential investors “to explore solutions which will allow the club to operate on a sound and secure financial footing for the future.”

A spokeswoman for HMRC declined to comment.