The season build up began with me & Rachel spending a week being ill in Mallorca - Rachel for first three and me for the next three days! We were having the time of our lives. Working full time, living together, disposable income spent on nights out and away days - living the dream!
But onto the football. Season ticket renewed with Russell and Rachel. After an abysmal first full season under Turner we had not only failed to return to the second tier of English football but posted and embarrassing 16th place finish!
Wholesale changes were afoot! In fact very few remained from the previous campaigns. Out went the likes of Alan Quinn, Geary, Morrison & Pressman and arriving were, amongst others, a new captain Lee Bullen (whatever happened to him), strikers Steve MacLean & Lee Peacock, Paul Heckingbottom, JP McGovern and Glenn Whelan to name a few whilst goalkeeper David Lucas made his loan from Preston permanent.
Wholesale changes were afoot! In fact very few remained from the previous campaigns. Out went the likes of Alan Quinn, Geary, Morrison & Pressman and arriving were, amongst others, a new captain Lee Bullen (whatever happened to him), strikers Steve MacLean & Lee Peacock, Paul Heckingbottom, JP McGovern and Glenn Whelan to name a few whilst goalkeeper David Lucas made his loan from Preston permanent.
Pre-season included home friendlies against premier league opposition as Turner tried to foster that ‘big club’ spirit that would be needed. Unfortunately it didn’t really go our way. Owls 3 - 6 Everton
We’d had previously seen a season of struggle at the now re-branded ‘Coca-Cola League One’ level. With so many comings and going’s as Turner looked to re-shape his squad it was always expected that the team may take some time to gel. However come the opening day as always the expectation was building! 2004 was also the season that camera phones started permeating society, meaning match day action could now be captured or recorded in the moment by everyone.
7th Aug - Owls 0-3 Colchester United
They say sometimes things get worse before they get better, well we couldn’t have really sunk much lower on the opening day. In fairness it had been a pretty even game, both sides going close, however once the visitors took the lead the old signs of fragility amongst the squad seemed the resurface, and the visitors ran riot to sink us to a heavy home defeat!
They say sometimes things get worse before they get better, well we couldn’t have really sunk much lower on the opening day. In fairness it had been a pretty even game, both sides going close, however once the visitors took the lead the old signs of fragility amongst the squad seemed the resurface, and the visitors ran riot to sink us to a heavy home defeat!
11th Sep - Walsall 1-1 Owls
A last minute trip to Walsall for myself, Russell and Rachel. Straight down the motorway to see a better if not disjointed performance as Glenn Whelan scored his first goal for the club. Improved - but still not great.
A last minute trip to Walsall for myself, Russell and Rachel. Straight down the motorway to see a better if not disjointed performance as Glenn Whelan scored his first goal for the club. Improved - but still not great.
18th Sep - Owls 0-1 Bournemouth
The final straw. The spotlight had been on Turner since the opening day after such an outlay on players. This was another abject performance that had become far too familiar. Turner was promptly sacked after the game, leaving us looking for our fifth manager in five years.
The final straw. The spotlight had been on Turner since the opening day after such an outlay on players. This was another abject performance that had become far too familiar. Turner was promptly sacked after the game, leaving us looking for our fifth manager in five years.
The owls promptly appointed former Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock, who had recently been released by Premier League Southampton. Sturrock has built a side at Plymouth that had not only torn us apart in the fixture the previous season but that had go on to achieve automatic promotion. His first game saw us win 3-0 at Wrexham, only for him to announce in the press conference that he wanted to see more from the players. A refreshing change.
29th Sep - Owls 1-2 Chester City
The LDV Vans Trophy first round. I quite enjoyed the cup and after reaching the northern final the year before thought if we could negotiate the early rounds utilising youngsters and squad players it’s an opportunity for a day out and a trophy. However the League Two strugglers Chester inflicted Sturrock's first defeat.
The LDV Vans Trophy first round. I quite enjoyed the cup and after reaching the northern final the year before thought if we could negotiate the early rounds utilising youngsters and squad players it’s an opportunity for a day out and a trophy. However the League Two strugglers Chester inflicted Sturrock's first defeat.
30th Oct - Owls 2-2 Chesterfield
Wednesday flattered to deceive against a plucky Chesterfield side. This result bookended the first seven games of Sturrocks tenure that had seen a real mixed bag of results.
Wednesday flattered to deceive against a plucky Chesterfield side. This result bookended the first seven games of Sturrocks tenure that had seen a real mixed bag of results.
8th Dec - Owls 2-4 Hull
Wednesday took on high flying Hull City after three straight wins in front of a bumper crowd. There were early goals and some woeful defending as we succumbed to a first defeat in five. Hull had a real cutting edge and were inspired on the night by former England international Nick Barmby. Watch: Owls 2-4 Hull
Wednesday took on high flying Hull City after three straight wins in front of a bumper crowd. There were early goals and some woeful defending as we succumbed to a first defeat in five. Hull had a real cutting edge and were inspired on the night by former England international Nick Barmby. Watch: Owls 2-4 Hull
11th Dec - Owls 1-2 Brentford
Back to back defeats on the back of a three game winning run highlighted the unpredictability of this Wednesday side, who desperately needed to find some consistency. A late goal from Deon Burton if I remember correct?
Back to back defeats on the back of a three game winning run highlighted the unpredictability of this Wednesday side, who desperately needed to find some consistency. A late goal from Deon Burton if I remember correct?
Following the Bradford defeat Sturrock raided his former club Southampton for Trinidad & Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones, on a short term loan. This signing proved inspired as it kick started a run of form that would propel the mid table owls into the promotion race.
3rd Jan - Owls 4-0 Wrexham
After four goals in his four appearances Kenwyne bagged two more as an impressive Wednesday put struggling Wrexham to the sword. From being a unknown he had quickly established himself as a bit of a hero.
After four goals in his four appearances Kenwyne bagged two more as an impressive Wednesday put struggling Wrexham to the sword. From being a unknown he had quickly established himself as a bit of a hero.
12th Feb - Owls 1-2 Bradford City
A post Kenwyne hangover? From memory a momentary lapse in concentration by Lee Bullen allowed former Wednesday man Owen Morrison to pop up with a last minute winner. Went home fuming.
A post Kenwyne hangover? From memory a momentary lapse in concentration by Lee Bullen allowed former Wednesday man Owen Morrison to pop up with a last minute winner. Went home fuming.
19th Feb - Chesterfield 1-3 Owls
After 7 goals in 7 games Kenwyne Jones was recalled by Southampton. Unfortunately since his departure we had only managed one victory in four games. After making the short trip to Chesterfield we made up for the previous seasons abysmal showing by turning on the style, with MacLean even putting one in off his backside.
After 7 goals in 7 games Kenwyne Jones was recalled by Southampton. Unfortunately since his departure we had only managed one victory in four games. After making the short trip to Chesterfield we made up for the previous seasons abysmal showing by turning on the style, with MacLean even putting one in off his backside.
26 Mar - Owls 2-2 Torquay
Another run of good results was rounded off with a difficult result against resolute Torquay. The recent games had seen the emergence of young striker Drew Talbot. But it was another striker, loanee Graham Barrett, who scored his only Wednesday goal in this fixture.
Another run of good results was rounded off with a difficult result against resolute Torquay. The recent games had seen the emergence of young striker Drew Talbot. But it was another striker, loanee Graham Barrett, who scored his only Wednesday goal in this fixture.
9th Apr - Oldham 1-1 Owls
Two defeats had followed the Torquay game, one at home to fellow promotion chasers Tranmere after free signing Zigor Aranalde was sent off, Watch: Owls 1-2 Tranmere. But we travelled in numbers to a freezing cold Boundary Park to watch Wednesday battle our way to a point. Luke Beckett on target for the home team
Two defeats had followed the Torquay game, one at home to fellow promotion chasers Tranmere after free signing Zigor Aranalde was sent off, Watch: Owls 1-2 Tranmere. But we travelled in numbers to a freezing cold Boundary Park to watch Wednesday battle our way to a point. Luke Beckett on target for the home team
The recent drop off in form had seen us go from making a late push for the top two to looking over our shoulders to even make the play-offs! A heavy defeat in torrential rain one Friday night at fellow play-off hopefuls Hartlepool was followed up by us being held to a goalless home tie with bottom of the table Stockport. That meant we needed a win with two games left to secure a play off spot, and we faced the clubs in 2nd and 7th spots! Watch: Hartlepool 3-0 Owls
30th Apr - Hull 1-2 Owls
Wednesday fans everywhere went barmy as loanee James Quinn, who arrived from on loan from Willem II to replace a Jones shaped void in the squad, scores his first goal since January to hand Wednesday a last minute victory and prompt a piss up and celebrations that resulted in very sore heads the following day! We had done it. We were in the play offs. This was the first positive finish since premier league relegation, against a back drop of financial difficulties and an injury backlog.
Wednesday fans everywhere went barmy as loanee James Quinn, who arrived from on loan from Willem II to replace a Jones shaped void in the squad, scores his first goal since January to hand Wednesday a last minute victory and prompt a piss up and celebrations that resulted in very sore heads the following day! We had done it. We were in the play offs. This was the first positive finish since premier league relegation, against a back drop of financial difficulties and an injury backlog.
Wednesday finished the season with defeat against Bristol City. Unfortunately Wednesday’s loan keeper Gallagher, brought in after an injury to David Lucas, was sent off requiring Lee Peacock to don the gloves!
Not the actual line ups
12th May - Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg: Owls 1-0 Brentford
Russell was late. A busy Hillsborough saw Wednesday take a first leg lead in a nervy contest courtesy of JP McGovern’s strike. Great scenes. Some bloke ran on the pitch. Home happy. But still nervous. How many times have we consistently shown our inconsistencies this season!!! Watch: Owls 1-0 Brentford
Russell was late. A busy Hillsborough saw Wednesday take a first leg lead in a nervy contest courtesy of JP McGovern’s strike. Great scenes. Some bloke ran on the pitch. Home happy. But still nervous. How many times have we consistently shown our inconsistencies this season!!! Watch: Owls 1-0 Brentford
16th May - Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg Brentford 1-2 Owls
We’d got there early by car, parked up in some leafy suburb and walked to the ground. After sampling a few pints we took up position, i sporting a very fashionable denim jacket! Stood behind the goal, me and Russell are on every video and photo of Chris Brunt’s free kick as we secured our route to the final. Limbs, scenes, bedlam - whatever you prefer to use, at the final whistle. Sheer elation on the terrace! Walking back to the car we were stopped by a Brentford fan to offer us congratulations and wish us good luck. We then decided to have one more for the road, stopping in a small pub where we had parked, only for John Solako (who had just played his final professional game in the match) to walk in behind us. Quick pint and an autograph and we were off home. Planning the route. The route to Cardiff. The route to a return...
What happens next could go down in Wednesday history!
We’d got there early by car, parked up in some leafy suburb and walked to the ground. After sampling a few pints we took up position, i sporting a very fashionable denim jacket! Stood behind the goal, me and Russell are on every video and photo of Chris Brunt’s free kick as we secured our route to the final. Limbs, scenes, bedlam - whatever you prefer to use, at the final whistle. Sheer elation on the terrace! Walking back to the car we were stopped by a Brentford fan to offer us congratulations and wish us good luck. We then decided to have one more for the road, stopping in a small pub where we had parked, only for John Solako (who had just played his final professional game in the match) to walk in behind us. Quick pint and an autograph and we were off home. Planning the route. The route to Cardiff. The route to a return...
And then Russell got pulled over for speeding on the M1 on the way home from the game. Back down to earth with a bump!
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