After suffering more play-off heartache, Sheffield Wednesday’s exodus from the Premier League will be extended for another year at least and means that their last promotion success was from League One in 2012.
Sheffield Wednesday fans last tasted promotion success in 2012
Wednesday have not been in the Premier League since 2000 and during their 17 years away from England’s top flight, the club’s supporters have had to endure some disappointing seasons following their team. The lowest point in the club’s modern history came when Wednesday were relegated to League One in 2010.
Their stay in the third tier of English football was a short one as the Owls won promotion back to the Championship at the second attempt. Dave Jones took over from Gary Megson in the final months of the season but helped guide his side to automatic promotion, finishing second behind Charlton Athletic. We take a look at the starting XI from their final league game in a 2-0 victory of Wycombe Wanderers at Hillsborough.
Stephen Bywater
Bywater joined the club on loan from Derby County following an injury to first choice goalkeeper Nicky Weaver. During his three month spell, the Owls lost just one out of 12 games that Bywater played in before he made his move to Hillsborough permanent.
He initially lost his place when Weaver recovered from his injury but was able to establish himself as the club’s number one goalkeeper. Bywater finished the campaign with an impressive 14 clean sheets in 34 appearances.
Bywater is now 35-years-old but is still playing in the Championship with Burton Albion. He is currently recognised as the Brewers number one goalkeeper after starting Burton’s final three games in the 2016/17 season.
Lewis Buxton
Buxton joined the Owls from Stoke City in 2008 and was part of the side that suffered relegation to League One as the club’s starting right back.
He decided to stay with the club and was consistent in his performances that helped his side win promotion. Buxton was best known for being a versatile player and played in a number of different roles for Wednesday during his seven years at Hillsborough.
33-year-old Buxton enjoyed another promotion in League One this season, this time with Bolton Wanderers. He played a bit-part role in their side and it was announced that he would leave the club in the summer after his short term deal expired.
Danny Batth
Batth amassed a total of 49 appearances during this season and his impressive performances in the centre of defence earned him the Player of the Season award.
Unfortunately for Wednesday, Batth was only on loan at the club and his form did not go unnoticed as Wolves decided he was part of their future plans. He would go on to have another spell in League One as Wolves fell victim to the dreaded drop but Batth played another starring role in their promotion winning side.
Batth is still at Molineux and is the club’s captain as he bids to guide them to promotion and earn his first appearance in the Premier League.
Danny Batth won the club’s Player of the Season award after making 49 appearances
Miguel Llera
Llera joined Wednesday on loan from Championship side Blackpool after the Spanish defender had previously had a loan spell with fellow League One side Brentford.
He would sign on a permanent contract in January and the towering centre-back went on to score four goals in 20 appearances.
Llera would go on to play for Wednesday in the Championship and was a hugely popular figure amongst the club’s supporters. He went on to play for Scunthorpe United but returned to the club to take up a coaching role within the club’s academy following his release from the Irons and eventual retirement.
Mark Beevers
After coming through the youth system at Hillsborough in 2007, Beevers would go on to make over 150 appearances for the club in a spell that lasted six years.
The left-back was touted for a move to the Premier League early on his career but decided to stay at Wednesday despite the higher league interest. He started the season on loan at Milton Keynes Dons before returning to Hillsborough to help the team to promotion.
27-year-old Beevers, like Buxton, won promotion with Bolton Wanderers but played a more pivotal role. His consistent performances earned him a place in the League One Team of the Season.
Jose Semedo
Semedo joined Wednesday following an impressive spell with fellow League One side Charlton Athletic and was signed on a free transfer, despite Semedo winning Charlton’s Player of the Season award.
The Portugese midfield would carry over his form to his new club as he started every game for the Owls. Semedo’s debut season with the club was capped off by being named as the League One PFA Fans’ Player of the Year.
The 32-year-old is still at Wednesday but as the club’s status in the Championship has improved, his appearances for the first team have become more of a rare sight for Owls fans. However, the veteran midfielder is still a popular figure at Hillsborough and his leadership qualities have been highlighted by boss Carlos Carvahal.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Jose Semedo has been at the club for six years
Chris Lines
Lines was signed by Wednesday from Bristol Rovers, who suffered relegation from League One in the previous campaign.
The midfielder was a graduate of the Rovers academy and had made 168 appearances for the club before his move to Hillsborough. He played a starring role in the centre of midfield and his consistent performances made him a calming influence in the centre of the pitch. He finished the season with a respectable three goals and 11 assists.
A groin injury suffered in pre-season before Wednesday’s pre-season severely halted his progress at the club and put a premature end to his Wednesday career. 31-year-old Lines is back with Bristol Rovers and has helped guide the Gas to back-to-back promotions from the Conference to help him continue to build a respectable career in League One.
Keith Treacy
Treacy’s spell at Wednesday was a short lived one and he only made seven appearances for the club in a loan spell from Burnley.
The Republic of Ireland winger arrived at the club with his promising career in the midst of an alarming decline. Treacy started his career in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers but had more fruitful spells with fellow Lancashire sides Preston North End and Burnley before arriving at Hillsborough.
After scoring just one goal, Wednesday decided not to take up the option of making his deal a permanent one. Treacy is currently a free agent, with St. Patrick’s Athletic in his native Ireland being his last club. The 28-year-old has since opened up about his battle with depression and is eyeing up a comeback into the game.
Michail Antonio
Antonio will be the most recognisable name amongst this list of players. Antonio joined Wednesday in what would be his fourth loan spell from Championship side Reading.
The winger was signed on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season. Antonio impressed during his 14 games appearances and quickly established himself as a key player for the club. He finished the campaign with five goals and signed a permanent contract with Wednesday.
Antonio has since risen through the English league ranks and is a key figure for Premier League side West Ham United. The 27-year-old has since been called up to the national side and it is expected that he will win his first England cap sooner rather than later.
Michail Antonio scored in Sheffield Wednesday’s final League One game of the season
Nile Ranger
The controversial Ranger had a short spell on loan with the Owls from Premier League side Newcastle United.
He played eight games for Wednesday and scored two goals for the club in what was a largely uneventful spell at Hillsborough. The rest cannot be said for the rest of his career.
A number of off-the-field incidents seemed to have scuppered his promising career. The 26-year-old seems to have finally concentrate on his football as he enjoyed his most fruitful spell in his professional career. He scored eight goals in 27 appearances League One side Southend United who narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs.
Gary Madine
Madine was the club’s top goalscorer after finishing the season with 18 goals in League One.
He joined the club from Carlisle on a four-and-a-half year deal and his impressive goal haul in their promotion winning campaign looked to have established him as Wednesday’s leading forward for the next few seasons at least.
Madine would go on to struggle to recapture his goalscoring form in the rest of his time at Hillsborough and he would go on to endure a number of disappointing loan spells away from the club before being released. The 26-year-old, along with former team-mates Beevers and Buxton, helped guide Bolton to promotion from League One, scoring nine goals and claiming seven assists.
Gary Madine has won promotion from League One with Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers
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