"It's time for the talking to stop and the doing to start," said Allen, who claims today that Hulley and Addy want a higher price for their shares.

"I've accepted 20 pence, which I think is a fair price. I understand that they want 30 pence."

In a wide-ranging broadside, the former Owls chairman added: "Wednesdayite should have balloted their members six months ago when they knew full well that bids were in the offing. They should have got a mandate to sell their shares when the opportunity arose."

The fan group maintain that they could only put an offer to their members when it was actually made - it came less than three weeks ago - and that they are operating the same criteria as other parties in asking for proof of Geoff Sheard's funding.

Wednesdayite were on the point of launching a ballot as the Telegraph went to press.

Critics of the Lancashire businessmen have suggested his approach has been unorthodox in that he has dealt directly with Allen and Wednesdayite, while communicating with other parties through Deloitte, which is the club's preferred method.

But Allen countered: "I personally don't find Mr. Sheard's tactics surprising at all. The club is a plc and it would be perfectly legitimate for him to get 29.9% of the shares before he has to advise anybody.

"I'm wondering if those involved really want anything to happen at all. It surprises me that people don't want to co-operate with someone who appears to have the wherewithal to take the club forward.

"Then again, I don't suppose I am surprised really. It's just typical. They don't know what they want."

Allen, who has never shunned controversy, will know that his remarks will prove provocative but, in characteristically forthright style, he has joined forces with Sheard in an attempt to end the deadlock. . . and prevent another takeover breakdown after former Everton director cited Wednesdayite's involvement in his letter of withdrawal last summer.

In fairness, the other three parties are entitled to negotiate their own terms in what has become a four-way split. They all appear ready to sell in principle providing certain criteria are met.

But only Allen has shown his hand by opting to sell regardless of whether anyone else does. Bringing the other three parties into the same line - amid the reality that at least one might not make a commitment without the others - is the delicate task Sheard still faces.


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