Bates denies bid to take control at Sheffield Wednesday

CHELSEA chairman Ken Bates has denied he is launching a bid to take control at Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Stamford Bridge supremo confirmed he did recently meet with the board of directors at Hillsborough but only in an advisory role as a favour to former Owls chairman Dave Richards.

However, current Wednesday chairman Dave Allen and his directors are under the impression Bates was serious about becoming involved in the debt-ridden Second Division club and have urged him to show them his money.

Allen confirmed a meeting between the two parties had taken place and Bates was asked to confirm his intentions in writing.

Bates' power is on the wane at Stamford Bridge after selling Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.