2017/18 - Cakeballs of fire

These seasons don’t half roll around quickly!

After the bitter disappointment of a second consecutive play off failure (and the only time we’ve failed to get passed the semi final stage) we were in somewhat of a state of limbo. Carlos’ contract was up, we now had an inflated squad after gambling on a promotion push and the eerie spectre of FFP was beginning to be whispered amongst the fan base. And all this in view of our 150th anniversary! 

After some discussion it was late May before the announcement that Carlos would stay on for a third play off push. At the time I felt this was a good move. He’d done tried twice before but maybe a summer of working and moulding our expensive January signings would give us a march on our rivals? Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing. 

As it transpires it would be a disjointed summer. The club tried and failed to suitably strengthen the squad, with Carlos staying at one point they’d looked at 200 centre backs. And the players they did bring in failed to make much of an impact, at least initially. George Boyd was the only pre-season signing - the midfielder joining from premier league Burnley on a free. 

In August the club also added Dutch defender Joost Van Aken on a permanent, and loanees Frederico Venacio and Jacob Butterfield (who arrived in a bizarre loan/swap deal for Sam Winnall). 

Wednesday cleared some deadwood with the release of players like Sougou, Sasso, McGugan and Dielna. 

The club also finally said good bye to our promotion stalwart Jose Semedo. Well they didn’t actually, there was no announcement for the Portuguese midfielder who had been with us since 2011. It was left to him to announce he was linking up with a club in his homeland after not hearing from the club. 

Supporter unrest had grumbled on through the summer. Lack of recruitment, the kits being unveiled just days before the season started (owing to Chansiri bringing the manufacturing in-house under his own Elev-8 brand), and owls in the park being pushed back into September. 

Instead of the usual summer celebration of all things Wednesday we ended up with a damp day in September, an evening fire work display, and general apathy. However the massive cake ball has to go down as one of the more bizarre stunts in football history! In fairness this was followed up with a black tie evening featuring special guests from Wednesday’s history, and the unveiling of the fanatic fan made film ‘Our Wednesday’.

Preseason began with a strong team rolling out a routine 5-0 victory at Alfreton. The usual trip to Portugal followed before a promised marquee anniversary friendly transpired to be Glasgow Rangers who were given the north stand, and we played in last seasons away kit. 

8th August - Owls 4-1 Chesterfield EFLC

After an uninspiring opening day defeat at Preston we welcomed the Spireites to Hillsborough for the last competitive fixture between the sides to date. A strong Wednesday side easily swept aside the recently relegated League Two side. Fletcher, Hooper, Bannan and Hutchinson with goals. Sammy even donned the goalkeeping gloves at the end of the game for a short period. 

16th August - Owls 1-1 Sunderland 

After failing to to beat QPR we faced recently relegated Sunderland in this evening tie. A defensive error allowed Simon Grayson’s side in to score after four minutes, however we equalised through David Jones. At the time I said that this was a good result in an encounter that we could have won, yet seeing how their season went this would probably go down as a missed opportunity. 

9th Sept - Owls 3-1 Nottm Forest

Goals from Hooper, Fletcher and Kieran Lee moves us to within a point of the play off positions in the fledgling league table as we secured a win this televised Saturday evening game. Unbeaten since the opening day!

1st Oct - Owls 3-0 Leeds

Our first home game since a defeat to our local rivals saw the players to go some way to begin making amends as we hammered Leeds. Two first half goals from Gary Hooper and a Kieran Lee strike keeping us within sight of the upper reaches of the table. 

1st Nov - Aston Villa 1-2 Owls

It’s hard to remember this memorable victory came from this season! Adam Reach scored one of the best goals of the season one minute into the game. Rhodes scored to make it two in a dominant first half. 

15th Dec - Owls 0-1 Wolves

Moving day - We moved house on this day, luckily everything  was done and sorted so that me and the lad could set off for the match in time. 

A crippling injury list had seen Wednesday form drop off a cliff in November and December. As we welcomed the already run-away league leaders for this Pre-Christmas televised Friday night clash we were missing Westwood, Hunt, Lees, Bannan, Hutchinson, Forestieri and Fletcher amongst others. 

We competed well in the game and arguably deserved something from the game but it was settled by a wonderful strike from the divisions most expensive player Ruben Neves. Wednesday sat fifteenth and ten points off the play offs. 

A week later we were beaten at home by Middlesbrough. The following day, Christmas Eve, Carlos parted company with the club. 

1st Jan - Owls 0-3 Burton

Lee Bullen had taken charge of a Boxing Day victory at Forest, and I was hoping he could be the one to unite an unhappy fan base. Sadly we were treated to one of the single most gutless, heartless performances in many years. The sight of Jacob Butterfield strolling around the pitch like we were lucky to have him will live long in my memory! 

12th Jan - Blades 0-0 Owls

The first game of a new era! Wednesday unveiled unknown Dutch manager Jos Luhaky as the new man to take Hillsborough reigns. Famed for his decent record in lower league German football he caught many off guard by throwing a number of youngsters into the first team for his first tie - a steel city derby!

A nervy derby ended goalless thanks to heroic goalkeeping from Joe Wildsmith and last ditch defending. Our effort was not aided when captain Glen Loovens was sent off just after the hour! 

16th Jan - Owls 2-0 Carlisle FAC

A cold Tuesday night, in one of the coldest winters for a long time - and most sensible people stayed home. We entertained Carlisle United, who had held us to a goalless draw under Lee Bullen previously. The snow fell and the wind blew hard in a game where at one point I genuinely thought we would see and abandonment.

After going into a two goal lead against our lowly opponents I took the decision to leave on 75 minutes, a good move given the amount of snow on the road during my drive home. And my lad earned his ‘cold Tuesday night FA Cup replay badge’.

26th Jan - Owls 3-1 Reading - FA Cup

Wednesday scored our first goals under new manager Jos on another freezing cold winters evening. 

Wednesday did dip a toe into the transfer market to purchase Dutch central midfielder Joey Pelupessey from Heracles. The Dutchman was very nearly sent off on his debut after fouling on the edge of his own area after 8 minutes, but luckily only received a yellow card. Wednesday swept aside Reading - Atdhe Nuhiu scoring twice and George Boyd clinched it thanks to poor goalkeeping. A late undeserved consolation goal cake courtesy of a Dawson own goal, the ball arrowing back in off the post. 

17th Feb - Owls 0-0 Swansea - FA Cup

It had to be didn’t it - after leaving Wednesday Carlos has taken over at premier league strugglers Swansea - and would you believe it we hosted them in the FA Cup fifth round. A clearly emotional Carlos rightly receive a fairly warm reception Upon his return. A tight tepid affair was played out - the highlight being a great point blank save from Cameron Dawson in the Wednesday goal. We went in to lose the replay 0-2. 

30th Mar - Owls 4-1 Preston

Fernando Forestieri returned from a long injury lay off and was the catalyst for Wednesday securing a second successive win to move us 11 points clear of the relegation zone. Nuhiu, fast becoming a key part of Jos’ new look Wednesday, opened the scoring on 50 minutes and the equally improving Joao made it two merely minutes later. Preston pulled one back and pressed us hard, however a fantastic individual goal on 92 minutes gave us breathing space. The scoring wasn’t over though - Forestieri announcing his return with a great free kick on 96 minutes!

2nd Apr - Sunderland 1-3 Owls

Bank holiday Monday began with a few inch of snow on the floor. We set off for my first visit to the stadium of light to face struggling Sunderland who were scrapping to avoid successive relegations. 

On arrival it was not only wet but freezing cold, and we were seated high in the roof of the stadium!

After a goalless first half Joao’s opener was cancelled out a minute later. Seven minutes after that Tom Lees gave us the lead again. We nearly allowed Sunderland to equalise straight from the kick off again! And then another seven minutes later Nuhiu wrapped up a rare victory in Sunderland! 

6th May - Owls 5-1 Norwich

Having secured championship status against a back drop of poor form and injuries we faced Norwich at home on the final day. 

And in the baking hot sunshine any there was witness to Atdhe Nuhiu score the perfect hat-trick in a five goal demolition of the canaries. Forestieri and Venacio the other scorers in a game in which Norwich James Maddison limped off after 11 minutes. 

Our final league position was fifteenth - our lowest for some time, however given the injury situation Jos inherited he had done a decent job steadying the ship. Maybe next season we could kick on? 

There’s always next year... 

2013/14 - Change, and not a moment too soon!

After avoiding relegation on the final day of the season Dave Jones set about remodelling his squad further. Julian Bennet and Chris Lines were released along with veteran goalkeepers Nicky Weaver and Stephen Bywater. Chris O’Grady made a permanent switch to Barnsley as part of his world tour of Yorkshire, flop Nec Pečnik was released from his contract, and Danny Mayor joined Bury on a season long loan to little fan fair. The only other notable transfer out was highly rated youngster, whom the academy had very high hopes for, Hayden White walked out on the club to join Bolton at the end of his deal. 

As part of Jones new look team were a number of signings. Highly rated Jacques Maghoma came on a free from fast rising Burton Albion, former Hull defender Kamil Zayatte returned to English football on a free, whilst Austrian/Albanian/Kosovan beanpole Atdhe Nuhiu, who had previously scored against Aston Villa in a UEFA Cup game joined from Rapid Wien. Loanee Jeremy Helan made his move from Manchester City permanent, whilst youngster Rafael Floro made a free transfer move from FC Porto. 

Disconcertingly during the summer owls chairman Milan Mandaric revealed that the club was losing £5M a year and that he was actively looking for a buyer.

Preseason consisted of a few local friendlies and another trip to Portugal for matches against Sporting Braga and Hull City(!). Then on a warm July evening we entertained Scottish friends Rangers. The Owls winning 1-0 with a goal from Antonio. Mixing in the pubs with the Gers pre game there was a real partisan feel. The rangers fans filled leppings lane and made it a real site to behold. 

Our final warm up tie saw Atdhe Nuhiu debut in a game that finished Chesterfield 1-1 Owls. Maguire betting a last minute equaliser in a poor tie. 

17th Aug - Leeds 1-1 Owls

After successive defeats in our opening two games we earned our first point of the season in Leeds. Zayatte’s opener cancelled out by McCormack in the second half where we hung on for grim life!

31st Aug - Spence loan

West Ham fullback Jordan Spence, husband of actress Naomi Scott, signed on a months loan to cover for the injured Lewis Buxton. He makes his debut the same day. 

10th Sep - Taylor Out

A year after joining the club the poor Martin Taylor leaves to join Brentford on a months loan. He retires at the end of the season. Money well spent Dave Jones. 

14th Sep - Owls 1-1 Yeovil

 Atdhe Nuhiu netted his first Hillsborough goal however we were unable to break down a Yeovil team reduced to ten men in the first half, a fourth successive draw. Why always Yeovil?

16th Sep - Roger Johnson Loan

Wolves centre half Roger Johnson joins on three months loan. He makes his debut in a 4-1 defeat at Birmingham - Manchester United prospect Jesse Lingard scores all four. The game featured three Wednesday Johnson’s, Roger, Reda and Jermaine all on the pitch at the same time, to some amusement. Republic of Ireland international midfielder Stephen McPhail also made his debut after joining on a free as an out of contract player. 

28th Sep - Owls 0-1 Doncaster Rovers

If you were paying attention I think you’ll remember that I scored a couple of goals in this game. Winning the twitter competition to take part in a SRSB penalty shootout. 

I scored two. James the other winner pipped me with three. 

The game was forgettable with Frederico Macheda scoring the only goal. 

Striker Matty Fryatt makes his debut as a substitute having joined on loan from Hull City. He joins the squad just as Gary Madine is sent to prison for 18 months for general dickheadary. He is released from prison 5 months later

15th Oct - Martinez loan

Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joins on loan. Clearly lacking experience. 

26th Oct - Midfield Recruit

More desperate transfer activity from Jones? Winless Wednesday sign out of contract veteran Nigeria midfielder Seyi Olofinjana on a free. 

1st Nov - Wickham’s Back!

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham rejoins the club on loan vowing he had unfinished business!

2nd Nov - Owls 5-2 Reading

13 games into the season and we claim our first victory! The new partnership between Fryatt and Wickham instantly bearing fruit with three goals between them. We had drawn eight of the previous 12 league ties. 

Reading was to be the last home victory Dave Jones oversaw! He was sacked after losing the next three games culminating in a lacklustre 2-0 defeat in Blackpool. He had just allowed fringe players Chris Maguire and Caolan Lavery to leave on loan - to Coventry and Plymouth respectively. The good news is we faced high flying Leicester City next. 

3rd Dec - Owls 2-1 Leicester City

Dutch defender Glenn Loovens signs on a free transfer then plays as Wednesday turn in their best performance of the season to beat the foxes, Connor Wickham scoring both goals as first team coach Stuart Gray took temporary charge. 

18th Dec - Owls A-A Wigan - Abandoned

In a fierce storm the tie is abandoned after 59 minutes with the visitors leading one nil. 

1st Jan - Owls 2-0 Blackpool

Third home win of the season. Wickham and the recalled Maguire with the goals as we welcomed in the new year still under the charge of Stuart Gray. 

7th Jan - Deji Oshilaja loan

Cardiff City youngster Oshilaja signs on a short term loan. He looks a little lost. He would return later in the season as a stop gap. 

11th Jan - Owls 6-0 Leeds

One the the single greatest results in recent Wednesday history. Where did it come from? Who knows. This was hardly a sparkling Leeds side but the demolition job by Wednesday was a joy to behold. Réda Johnson gave us the lead and Nuhiu doubled it just before half time. A stray Matt Smith elbow saw Leeds reduced to ten men before Wednesday ran riot as goals from Wickham, Maguire and a late brace from Lavery wrapped up the fine victory. 

On the same day we announced the signing of USA international central defender Oguchi Onyewu, formerly of Newcastle, AC Milan and Sporting Lisbon, from QPR on a free. 

14th Jan - Owls 4-1 Macclesfield

Wednesday made it ten goals in three days as strikes from Maguire, Maghoma, Jermaine Johnson and Llera helped us see off lowly Macclesfield in this FA Cup third round replay. 

30th Jan - Afobe In

With Connor Wickham's loan up Wednesday returned to the market to bring in young Arsenal forward Benik Afobe until the end of the season. 

1st Feb - Owls 1-0 Barnsley

Stuart Gray has added defensive stability and organisation to the side but at the expense of attacking flair. Despite being down to ten men from the half hour mark the dingles held Wednesday back. Jermaine Johnson then levelled the playing field with his 80th minute dismissal. Jacob Mellis handed us the advantage again with his 91st minute red card. 

And then jubilation! The ultimate shithouse Maguire blasts in a 97th minute scorcher to change the moods of the departing fans!

11th Feb - Owls 0-3 Wigan Athletic

After the first clash was rained off we fared little better in this re-arranged fixture as the Latics came out on top in the first ever Hillsborough league clash between these sides. Two first half goals from Nicky Maynard and a late Fortune strike saw our visitors go home happy. 

14th Feb - Reinforcements

Stuart Gray sent for reinforcements in the shape of Leon Best (what’s this his third/fourth spell) from Blackburn, and midfielders Gary Gardner from Aston Villa and Sam Hutchinson from Chelsea. Young goalkeeper Cameron Dawson has just left to finish the season on loan with Plymouth Argyle. 

18th Feb - Owls 0-1 Derby County

Patrick Bamford's goal saw our promotion chasing visitors take the points. We were second best throughout and second half we were literally hanging on until the only goal of the game settled it. 

24th Feb - Owls 1-2 Charlton

Wednesday’s re-arranged cup tie with Charlton Athletic saw us lose out to a goal clearly hand balled by Church for the visitors, although truth be told we were pretty second best throughout. Leon Best scores our goal. 

27th Mar - Clearing Out

At the end of March Stuart Gray shipped out several players in need of game time - David Prutton left for Coventry City, Gary Madine (now out of prison) returned to Carlisle whilst Rhys McCabe joined Portsmouth - all on loans for the remainder of the season. Young goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith joins Alfreton Town on a months loan

29th Mar - Owls 1-4 Watford

WHY CANT WATFORD JUST GET PROMOTED!

How come every season they come to Hillsborough and roll us over again and again! Troy Deeney and Lewis McGugan amongst the scorers. Afobe pulled one back for us at four down. 

12th Apr - Owls 3-3 Blackburn Rovers

My daughters first game. Having pulled clear of any real relegation fears I though it was time to introduce my youngest to the earth shattering disappointment that is football!

That man again Jordan Rhodes scores on fifteen minutes with what seemed like his first touch. Lewis Buxton scored an equaliser however the visitors then raced into a three one lead. Athdhe Nuhiu pulled a goal back on 72 minutes. 

Atdhe completed his brace with a late late equaliser. The marmite striker proving his worth on this occasion. 

21st Apr - Owls 2-3 Charlton

Racing into a two goal lead inside ten minutes thanks to goals from Nuhiu and Maguire I didn’t expect the collapse that followed as Charlton secured their second Hillsborough victory of the season thanks to a Marvin Sordell hat-trick. In fairness we couldn’t get near him all game. 

The season finished with defeats at home to Bolton and away at Ipswich. A bit of a damp squib you might say, as such. 

2012/13 - “Can You’s Find Someone Better?”

Who else was feeling excited following our promotion?

Manager Dave Jones set straight to the task of remoulding the squad in his image with a series of captures of Championship experienced players. 

Centre half pairing of Danny Batth and Rob Jones were (wrongly in my opinion) broken up - with Batth returning to Wolves following his loan and club captain Jones leaving for Doncaster Rovers on a free. Replacing them were Anthony Gardner, on a free from Crystal Palace, and Martin Taylor who we actually paid Watford money for!

A number of players including Clinton Morrison, Jon Otsemobor, Chris Sedgwick, Ryan Lowe, Mike Jones, Mark Beevers (initially on loan), Daniel Jones and Mark Reynolds were all allowed to leave the club, the majority for free. It was also announced that at the end of the season The Green ‘Un would no longer be produced.

Other incomings in a busy summer were former Liverpool and England international goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, Joe Mattock, Scottish shithouse Chris Maguire and Rhys McCabe. Importantly the club splashed a reported £1M to secure the services of Michail Antonio on a permanent transfer. Bolstering the squad further were youngsters Danny Mayor, Paul Corry and a rightback from Oldham named Kieran Lee. 

Adding some international flair were young Portuguese left back Diego Amodo, Slovenian Nejc Pečnik and Spanish striker Rodri who arrived on a season long loan from Barcelona B.

Preseason saw the owls take on a tour to Portugal for ties with Sporting Lisbon and Reading. This was followed up back home with a goalless draw at Doncaster. The Owls home warm up tie saw us take on premier league West Brom. Nejc Pečnik put the owls in front but we were held to a 1-1 draw.

21st Aug - Owls 3-2 Birmingham City

We had begun the season with a fantastic fight back to draw at Derby. Our first home tie back at this level saw us take on the brummies in an evening kick off. Reda Johnson’s second of the season put us one up before Rodri opened his account by lobbing Jack Butland from about three yards. Jermaine Johnson made it 3-1 on 89 minutes before a late penalty made the score line appear tighter. 

25th Aug - Owls 3-2 Millwall

It was becoming apparent that we were certainly capable of scoring goals at this level. But conversely we did look like conceding with great regularity. Jermaine Johnson put us ahead but we went in at half time behind. Miguel Llera equalised before netting again in the last minute, another dramatic afternoon at Hillsborough. 

28th Aug - Owls 1-0 Fulham (Lge cup 2)

We claimed a premier league scalp only the league cup 2nd round. Gary Madine’s second half penalty was enough to beat Martin Jol’s Cottagers to secure a trip to Southampton in round three. 

22nd Sept - Owls 1-2 Bolton

Wednesday made it four defeats in a row in a poor game. My lads first ever defeat watching Wednesday too! We were second best all over the park despite some loan additions in the shape of Ross Barkley from Everton and Jay Bothroyd, who had gained an England cap despite playing at Championship level, from QPR. 

19th Oct - Owls 1-1 Leeds

Rampant Derby day at Hillsborough in front of the sky cameras. Bothroyd put in his only decent performance, scoring the only goal in the tie. We held out until the 77th minute when ex-blade Tonge equalised. The game was overshadowed when an idiot from the away end ran on the pitch and attacked goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on the pitch. Luckily he wasn’t seriously hurt however idiotic comments from Leeds manager Neil Warthog describing Kirkland as “went down like a sack of spuds” did little to build bridges in the football community. 

27th Oct - Ipswich 0-3 Owls

After nine winless games loanee Ross Barkley, of future Chelsea and England fame, inspired Wednesday to a surprise win in Suffolk

27th Nov - Owls 1-4 Watford

This tie came 5 matches into a 7 game winless run. Dave Jones has been under mounting pressure and this dog-shite performance was the one where he lost me.

Antonio gave us an early lead but 15 minutes later Daniel Pudil pulled the ball back for Fernando Forestieri to equalise. Chris Lines has a first half penalty saved before the referee had to be replaced, Wednesday’s football probably making eyes bleed. In the second half Watford ran away with the tie for an emphatic win. After the game Jones gave an interview that was arrogance personified, insisting of referring to the club as “You’s” and stating If people think somebody else will do a better job, go get him. And if he doesn't do it, then what? Go and get someone else?’. Which for me, I now believe we should do. And after appearing to be a god signing Jay Bothroyd mouthing off at Wednesday fans when he blazed a last minute effort into the Kop just about summed him up in a blue & white shirt. Lazy with an over inflated sense of his own importance. He can go as well. 

8th Dec - Owls 2-3 Bristol City

Two goals in two minutes saw Bristol steal the win with a late Albert Adomah free kick in front of the Kop, despite Wednesday having led twice. The game turned on an incident where Wednesday were seemingly denied a penalty, resulting in a goal being chalked off after a Wednesday player grabbed the referee in frustration. In fairness the referee had clearly lost control of the game

26th Dec - Bolton 0-1 Owls

A large travelling contingent saw Wednesday make it three wins in a row in this Boxing Day fixture. Having won the previous two Christmas ties - 1-0 in the televised Barnsley derby and 2-0 at home to Charlton (McCabe and Manchester City loanee Jérémy Helan with their first goals) another loanee Mamady Sidibe, who came on a temporary deal from Stoke, scored his only goal. Sidibe came in clearly unfit and worked hard but only managed this sole goal from his 9 appearances. 

5th Jan - Owls 0-0 MK Dons (FA Cup)

An utterly dreadful game. MK could have easily won the game. I sat behind the dugout due to the Kop being closed. Abiding memory is I tweeted a young player who came off the bench to run the game, tearing Lewis Buxton apart. The players replied thanking me for my compliments, and that player was Dele Alli. 

26th Jan - Charlton 1-2 Owls

Until 2019 our last win at Charlton which was secured with a late winner from loan striker Leroy Lita on his debut after signing from Swansea City. Versatile left sided player Danny Pugh also joined on loan for the remainder of the season, from Leeds United. Jeremy Helan would extend his loan until the end of the season a few days later. 

During January Chris Lines and Chris O’Grady we’re both allowed to leave the club, initially on loans. Young striker Caolan Lavery also left on loan to gain experience at Southend United. Danny Mayor and Paul Corry would make similar moves in February. It was clear that the summer transfer business hadn’t been a particular success. 

9th Feb - Owls 2-2 Derby County

Wednesday mirrored our opening day encounter by again coming from two behind to draw with Derby - Antonio and Llera with second half strikes. Meanwhile another loanee striker made his debut - Connor Wickham, having joined on loan from Sunderland on an initial one month loan. 

9th Mar - Leicester 0-1 Owls

Loanee Connor Wickham scores his first and only goal of this loan spell as we pick up only our second win in 6 games. Form had picked up over January and early February but had begun to trail off. Despite this we remained in the unusually high patch of clubs fighting relegation. 

In the old days the end of March would be the last time clubs could add to their squads before the end of the season and Dave Jones added more reinforcements at the end of this one. Nigerian international midfielder Seyi Olofinjana of Hull City joined until the end of the season and injury plagued American international Stuart Holden of Bolton Wanderers signed one a one month loan. 37 year old experienced striker Steve Howard also joined on loan until the end of the season from Hartlepool United in what would be the final move of his long career. 

9th Apr - Millwall 1-2 Owls

Chris Maguire struck late against struggling Millwall as we came from behind in this basement tussle - ensuring pandemonium in the away stand! This result made it four wins from six games for Jones’ men post the Leicester City victory. Just a couple more results going into the final five games would be enough to keep us up. 

27th Apr - Peterborough 1-0 Owls

A win would have guaranteed survival in this tie against our fellow strugglers. Wednesday were poor and rarely threatened in this televised clash. Grant McCann scored the only goal of the game to set up a nervy final day, knowing only a win would do!

After all the hard work would we really mess it all up after one season?

4th May - Owls 2-0 Middlesborough

Survival at last! In the final game of the season Wednesday recorded our first win in five to guarantee another season in the championship. Veteran loanee striker Steve Howard with his only goal for the club early in the first half, then Leroy Lita signed off his productive loan spell on the half hour by taking advantage of a defensive mix up to fire home. Joyous scenes at the final whistle included a bit of a pitch invasion, and we finished the season in the lofty position of 18th on 58 points and strangely just ten points off of a play off spot, but having lost 20 of our 46 matches. 

Hopefully we will learn from this and now kick on and re-establish ourselves at this level proper.