Gray left Hillsborough in 2015 after 18 months in charge of the Owls.
Sheffield Wednesday’s trip to Fulham this weekend sees them reunited with a familiar face in Stuart Gray.
It’s 18 months since the 56-year-old named his final Owls eleven, which went on to earn a 1-1 draw at Watford, denying the Hornets the Championship title.
Plenty has happened since then – including two of that afternoon’s Watford side moving to Hillsborough (Almen Abdi and Fernando Forestieri) – but how are the Wednesday lot getting on?
Chris Kirkland
The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract at Preston North End after turning down a new deal at Hillsborough, but retired in August following a short spell at Bury.
Marnick Vermijl
The Belgian followed Kirkland to Deepdale, initially on loan, before completing a permanent move on deadline day.
Tom Lees
The adopted Yorkshireman has remained a key figure under Gray’s replacement Carlos Carvalhal, skippering the side in Glenn Loovens’ absence.
Lewis Buxton
The ‘White Cafu’ signed for Wednesday’s local rivals Rotherham United but now plays for League One promotion hopefuls Bolton Wanderers.
Jeremy Helan
After playing a bit-part role under Carvalhal, Helan took the surprise decision to retire from football for religious reasons in September, aged just 24.
Kieran Lee
One of Gray’s final acts was to hand Lee a new two-year deal, which has since been extended following a string of impressive displays from the midfielder.
Jose Semedo
Despite finding his game time limited under Carvalhal, the 31-year-old remains a key figure within the Owls dressing room.
Filipe Melo
Missing: Reward if found.
Chris Maguire
Another who rejected fresh terms at Hillsborough, Maguire soon found that the grass is not always greener, struggling at Rotherham and later joining Oxford United.
Will Keane
Also spent time at Preston before being signed by Hull City on a permanent deal in the summer. Sadly, the striker is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Caolan Lavery
The Northern Irishman barely featured last season but was offered a new deal nonetheless, which he subsequently turned down. He later crossed to the dark side, joining Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.
Subs:
Stevie May
Went to Preston, got injured, but recently returned to light training.
Atdhe Nuhiu
The scorer of the Owls’ 90th-minute equaliser that day, the Austrian remained at Hillsborough, signing a new two-and-a-half-year contract in January, but has found the net just once since.
Jacques Maghoma
Was quickly snapped up by Birmingham City following his release by Wednesday and has looked rejuvenated under former boss Gary Rowett.
Joe Wildsmith
Broke into Carvalhal’s side last autumn, leading to international honours. He is currently injured, however.
Will De Havilland
Spent another year at Hillsborough without making an appearance. Now plays for our old friends Wycombe Wanderers.
Lloyd Isgrove
Returned to South Yorkshire with Barnsley on loan, but has struggled to break through at parent club Southampton.
Sergiu Bus
Was sent to Salernitana in the latter half of last season on loan, and is no longer part of Carvalhal’s plans.
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