Strafford turned to one of Hillsborough's most successful and respected managers of modern times to insert what he called "the final piece" of his takeover jigsaw - which will involve a major shares issue with the first of two extraordinary general meetings expected to be called before the end of January.

Wilkinson has been enlisted to convince potential investors and draw up plans for what the new board hope will be a much higher football budget.

His agreement to take on the unpaid advisory role is seen as adding considerable kudos and credibility to Wednesday's hopes of a major uplift on and off the field.

"Howard is the final piece of the team and is already helping us with our business plan," said Strafford following his appointment as chairman and confirmation that enterprise partner Nick Parker is replacing Kaven Walker as chief executive.

Wilkinson's vast experience and contacts - he is the long-standing chairman of the League Managers Association - will harness specialist knowledge to a club structure that has often been accused of lacking football knowledge at board level.

His managerial career saw him achieve success at Hillsborough and elsewhere, first with Notts County and then with Wednesday where he achieved promotion to the top flight in his first season, 1983-84.

Wilkinson established the Owls among the elite with a highest placing of fifth before leaving to win promotion for Leeds and deliver the title to Elland Road in 1992.

Having also been an England caretaker manager at one point and serving the FA as technical director, Wilkinson remains, at 65, a highly reputable figure in the game. But it his continuing feeling for Wednesday that reopened the door to Hillsborough.

"This club has access to some world-class people," said Strafford, stressing that manager Brian Laws' role will remain unchanged and uncompromised . "Howard's remit is to support a vastly different player budget in the future and Brian doesn't have the time to concentrate on that.

"Brian is aware of the move and on board with it. In Howard, we have one of the most respected people in football. He will validate the business plan to investors and focus on the long term, which will allow us to raise ambition on the playing side.

"Howard can support us in delivering the infrastructure changes. You want investors to recognise that this is the best platform for them. This club has a brand that is world class."

Wilkinson's initial response to the invitation was characteristically cautious at a time when the new board know some supporters are bound to question whether the club is undergoing meaningful change.

Strafford, an Owls fan since childhood, added: "Howard was very keen to see something change but also very sceptical about who we were and about who the investors were. He's renowned for pragmatism and also good culture.

"We have the business perspective but don't quite have the culture for football. I just hoped the fire was still there with Howard and I found that it certainly is. He's a respected person who has this club at heart."

Strafford feels Wilkinson can be the catalyst for a return to the Premiership. The new board have not set a timetable but, in taking a measured view, believe it is possible to re-establish the club in the top flight within the next three-to-five years.

First, a cash injection is required to proceed with a planned takeover in a deal that could amount to around £50m.

Investors from around the world, identified but as yet unnamed beyond known links with America and Asia, are set to be invited to buy up newly created shares. Depending on the approval of existing shareholders, the incoming money is intended to increase the football budget. It means Wednesday can expect to be far more competitive in the transfer market from next summer. However, Strafford's board still have significant bridges to cross.

They are in continuing dialogue with the club's bank, who are owed £22m of a £26m debt, and with the main 10% shareholders whose stakes would be swamped by a rights issue. Individual loans are also a subject for negotiation.

But, such is the rapid sequence of events, there is a conviction around Hillsborough that the club is about to undergo a radical relaunch.

It is also clear that Strafford's timetable has been advanced ahead of the original schedule.

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