Owls release eight after relegation

Sheffield Wednesday manager Chris Turner has wasted little time in wielding the axe by releasing eight out-of-contract players at Hillsborough.

The Yorkshire club slumped into Division Two at the end of a calamitous season both on and off the field and boss Turner is already looking to rebuild in a bid to bounce straight back.

Goalkeeper Paul Evans, defenders Ashley Westwood, Danny Maddix and David Burrows, midfielders Trond Soltvedt, Phil O’Donnell and Simon Donnelly and utility man Tony Crane have all been told they have no future at the club.

Former Hartlepool boss and lifelong Owls fan Turner succeeded Terry Yorath as manager in November last year but although performances improved he was unable to save Wednesday from the drop.

Turner has made no secret that wholesale changes were required if the club were to get back in the big time.

“It is time for a fresh start at Sheffield Wednesday,” he told the Press Association. “These players contributed tremendously at the end of the season but we have to move on and it is time to bring in new faces.”

In the last fortnight Ryan Green, Calem Connolly and Michele di Piedi have also been released, while on-loan striker Leon Knight has returned to Chelsea.

Promising winger Richard Evans, signed from Birmingham on a short-term contract on transfer deadline day, has been offered a one-year deal.

“It’s difficult for any manager when you have to tell players you are releasing them,” Turner added.

“Several have already made strides towards a new career and several have also done well for me.

“But we’ve got to move forward, we need some new impetus and that means bringing in new players.”

Since his arrival Turner has brought in former Cork City, Preston and Irish Under-21 star Brian Barry-Murphy, striker Grant Holt from non-league Barrow and Dean Smith from Preston and Orient respectively.

Some of those who have been released commanded big salaries at Hillsborough and with them off the wage bill Turner now has scope to continue his summer recruiting.