Wednesday in crisis as chairman Dave Allen walks away

Sheffield Wednesday were in turmoil last night after chairman Dave Allen quit the debt-ridden Championship club amid a row with fellow directors.

Allen accused fellow directors of a breach of trust and blamed 'unprofessional behaviour surrounding the business' for his shock decision.

The leisure company boss, Wednesday's major backer for the last seven years, said: 'Recent events have really sickened me and the final straw is to realise that confidential boardroom matters have been discussed with outside parties.'

Allen had been in talks with potential investors, including a Chinese casino owner, and had been expected to brief shareholders at the club's annual meeting on Thursday.