Let me take you back a few decades, 1986 in fact, the year I was born. My dad continued to worry through my early years that I wouldn’t have a keen interest in football, he is a huge Liverpool fan and follows the game intensely. I was consequently bought my first football jersey, a white away kit with red trimmings and Candy as its sponsor. I still have it, somewhere, maybe in the loft at my parents house.
Only a few years later, I think it’s safe to say I answered his prayers, living, breathing and sometimes spending ten hours per day kicking an over used football around in the garden, only now, I was wearing a blue and white Sheffield Wednesday shirt. I had made the transformation into an Owl.
Many people ask how the son of a Liverpool fan who isn’t from Sheffield became a supporter of Wednesday, my one word answer ‘dink’. That’s right, Sheridan’s goal and the Owls League Cup win in 1991 made me a permanent Wednesdayite.
You could call me a glory supporter (although this was very short lived) as it all went majorly down hill later in the 90’s. Still, I remained loyal as any true supporter would, Sheffield Wednesday has been in my blood ever since.
Many people ask how the son of a Liverpool fan who isn’t from Sheffield became a supporter of Wednesday, my one word answer ‘dink’. That’s right, Sheridan’s goal and the Owls League Cup win in 1991 made me a permanent Wednesdayite.
You could call me a glory supporter (although this was very short lived) as it all went majorly down hill later in the 90’s. Still, I remained loyal as any true supporter would, Sheffield Wednesday has been in my blood ever since.
Unfortunately, since 1991, there have been more downs than ups as a Wednesdayite. Awful business decisions and average to bad footballers have come and gone. Relegation on three league campaign occasions, 1999/00, 2002/03 and 2009/10 is now thankfully at the back of my mind.
It is, however, the highs that last long in the memory. Obviously the 1991 cup win and promotion in the same and other later years have a special place in my heart.
Quite naturally, my expectations as a Wednesdayite have been pretty low overall since the torrid relegation from the Premier League, therefore, moments such as the journey to the Wembley playoff final become more rewarding. Despite the loss it was still a sense of achievement, particularly after suffering at the wrong end of the table for many a year.
I wouldn’t change these moments for the world, I’m an Owl through thick and thin and I will never regret selecting Wednesday as my club when I was a unsuspecting five year old, even against my fathers protests.
We all have a story on how we became Sheffield Wednesday fans, now you’ve heard mine, I would love to hear yours. Leave a comment below or drop me a tweet.
WAWAW
It is, however, the highs that last long in the memory. Obviously the 1991 cup win and promotion in the same and other later years have a special place in my heart.
Quite naturally, my expectations as a Wednesdayite have been pretty low overall since the torrid relegation from the Premier League, therefore, moments such as the journey to the Wembley playoff final become more rewarding. Despite the loss it was still a sense of achievement, particularly after suffering at the wrong end of the table for many a year.
I wouldn’t change these moments for the world, I’m an Owl through thick and thin and I will never regret selecting Wednesday as my club when I was a unsuspecting five year old, even against my fathers protests.
We all have a story on how we became Sheffield Wednesday fans, now you’ve heard mine, I would love to hear yours. Leave a comment below or drop me a tweet.
WAWAW
RSS Feed