Late Sheffield Wednesday takeover twist ft James Bord emerges | OneFootball

Another runner appears to have dropped out of the Owls ownership battle...

James Bord - one of the supposed front-runners involved in the Sheffield Wednesday takeover saga - has reportedly pulled out of the running to get his hands on the stricken South Yorkshire outfit.

The Owls have been in administration since late October, when maligned owner Dejphon Chansiri finally gave up his control of the club after 10 years as custodian.

Numerous individuals or parties have come, gone or fallen by the wayside, and it looks as though one more in the form of Bord has exited the battle to take charge of the Hillsborough outfit.

James Bord update emerges as Sheffield Wednesday takeover decision nears

A report emerged from the Daily Mail earlier on Thursday describing the Sheffield Wednesday takeover battle as a 'two-horse race', which only involved ex-Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and American businessman John McEvoy, who has teamed up with the Storch Family in a joint bid.

One name that was absent though was that of the aforementioned Bord, who was said to have put in a bid north of the £30 million that was being asked for by the administrators, yet there were concerns over being able to pass the EFL Owners' and Directors Test, putting him in a back seat position despite his offer.

And in a further update on Thursday evening from Arif Ahmed of ITV, it has now been claimed that 44-year-old Bord, who is an entrepreneur and a high-stakes poker player, has actually pulled out of the race to become the new owner of Sheffield Wednesday.

It is not explained as to why Bord has removed himself from contention, but the claims made by the Daily Mail of the EFL's Owners and Directors Test being a concern could potentially be a factor.

Mike Ashley and John McEvoy remain in Sheffield Wednesday takeover battle

Bord - who owns Scottish Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic and was involved in Wednesday's bitter rivals Sheffield United's recruitment policy over the summer - is now a non-entity when it comes to the takeover saga at Hillsborough, which needs to be concluded sooner rather than later.

Many may have expected more than a handful of bids to come in for the historic club, but it looks like to be between Ashley and McEvoy's bid - which may be seen as underwhelming.

We may see a preferred bidder finally named on December 19, but these things take time, and it may be beyond the January transfer window where we see someone take control of Wednesday after months of turmoil.