SWFC Legends S
Name: Jack Sewell 
Born: 24/01/1927
Position: Attacker
Clubs: Notts County, Wednesday, Aston Villa Hull City
International honours: England, six caps
Sewell rattled almost a century of goals in four and a half years at Hillsborough, proving himself well worth the record transfer fee Wednesday paid for his services. His goalscoring exploits in blue and white made him a hero among the Owls faithful and he also gained international recognition during his time with the club.
Sewell was recruited in 1951 from Notts County, where his red-hot marksmanship had made him much sought after. It was Wednesday who triumphed in the battle for his signature as the £35,000 they paid out smashed the British transfer record.
The Whitehaven product started as he meant to carry on, netting on his debut at Liverpool. He fired six goals from his first ten games towards the end of 1950/51 but SWFC still dropped from the top flight. However, another 23 goals from Jack helped secured an instant return as champions as he and Derek Dooley reeked havoc on the Second Division.
He continued to hit the net on a regular basis after Wednesday resumed their Division One status. The inside forward found the target 17 times in 1952/53 and followed that up with a haul of 19 the season after, as the Owls reached the FA Cup semi final.
After Wednesday were hit by relegation - despite Jack's haul of 14 goals - they sealed an immediate return in 1955/56. Despite playing only 16 games before joining Aston Villa in the middle of the campaign, Sewell played his part and left the fans a reminder of his talent by signing off with 13 goals in that period.
Season Appearances Goals
1950-51 10 6
1951-52 36 23
1952-53 36 17
1953-54 41 19
1954-55 36 14
1955-56 16 13
TOTAL 175 92
Name: John Sheridan 
Born: 10/01/1964
Position: Midfielder
Clubs: Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster Rovers, Oldham Athletic
International honours: Republic of Ireland, 34 caps + five goals
Sheridan's pinpoint passing and deadly set piece deliveries made him an integral part of the club's success in the early 1990s. He was the factor which made the team tick and will always be remembered as the man who scored the winning goal in the 1991 League Cup final against Manchester United.
Sheridan was signed from Nottingham Forest in November 1989, making his SWFC debut at the City Ground two days later. His first goal for the Owls later that month will live long in the memory - an outstanding strike against Sheffield United in the Zenith Data Cup.
His arrival prompted Wedensday's new-found tag as an attractive footballing team, a reputation which was strengthened by their showing in the 1990/91 season. John contributed 12 goals as the Owls earned promotion to Division One, and of course weighed in with that famous effort which brought the League Cup to S6.
Despite an injury the following year, the Stretford-born playmaker contributed seven goals as Wednesday's third place finish secured European football, including a stunning free kick at Luton which was arguably the pick of the many spectacular goals he scored for SWFC.
In 1992/93 Sheridan's artistry helped achieve a place in the FA and League Cup finals as the Owls' passed their way to Wembley on four occasions.
During his time at Hillsborough, John's form as the lynchpin of the engine room saw him capped 29 times by the Republic of Ireland, making their World Cup squad in 1990 and 1994.
Season Appearances Goals
1989-90 31 3
1990-91 60 12
1991-92 27 7
1992-93 41 7
1993-94 22 3
1994-95 43 1
1995-96 18 0
1996-97 2 0
TOTAL 244 33
Name: Peter Shirtliff 
Born: 06/04/61
Position: Defender
Clubs: Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, Wednesday, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barnsley
International honours: None
In two spells with the Owls over a 15-year period, Shirtliff was a dependable and uncompromising rock at the heart of defence. Whilst wearing the blue and white stripes he twice played a major part as Wednesday gained promotion to the top flight, with the second of those elevations coinciding with League Cup glory.
'Shirty' made over 350 appearances in his time with the club and that figure could easily have been more but for the fierce competition he faced for a place in the side.
The Chapeltown-born Wednesdayite progressed through the SWFC youth system before signing professional forms in 1977, making his debut the following year. He went on to enjoy a lengthy stint at right back in 1978/79, although his chances were limited as the Owls returned to Division Two the following term.
Shirtliff slotted into his favoured position of centre half during 1980/81 - he first played alongside brother Paul - and 1981/82, continuing his steady progress. In 1983/84 he was a regular as Wednesday stormed back into the top flight after 14 years away and provided a steadying influence as they earned an eighth place finish in Division One.
Peter's outings were diminished the following term, although he featured heavily as they reached the FA Cup semi-final. The summer of 1986 brought about a move to Charlton Athletic, where he was club captain before Ron Atkinson swooped to bring him back to S6 in 1989.
Despite suffering a cruel relegation following his return, the Owls bounced back to the First Division in style with Peter forming a formidable partnership with Nigel Pearson at the back. The promotion euphoria was compounded by lifting the League Cup which proved the high point of Shirtliff's SWFC career.
When the Owls again visited Wembley four times in both cup competitions during 1992/93, a broken arm sadly ruled him out and he moved on to Wolves in August 1993.
Season Appearances Goals
1978-79 28 1
1979-80 3 0
1980-81 29 0
1981-82 34 2
1982-83 11 0
1983-84 47 1
1984-85 43 0
1985-86 28 0
1989-90 40 3
1990-91 54 4
1991-92 12 0
1992-93 29 0
TOTAL 358 11
Name: Mark Smith 
Born: 21/03/1960
Position: Defender
Clubs: Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle, Barnsley, Notts County, Lincoln City
International honours: England under-21
Smith was the archetypal local lad made good, progressing through the youth system to represent the Owls on their glorious return to the top flight. In ten seasons with his boyhood team, he amassed over 350 appearances and was a vital cog in the Wednesday defence as the side worked their way from the Third Division back up to the top.
Smith was a towering, cultured centre half whose classy defending made him a favourite with the Wednesday faithful. He will always be particularly remembered for his penalty conversion in the 1979 'Boxing Day Massacre', adding the final goal from the spot as the Owls thrashed City rivals United 4-0.
The Shirecliffe lad broke into the first team set-up in 1978 and made so swift a transition to senior football it seemed as through he was a veteran. After earning plaudits in the heart of defence during the epic FA Cup marathon with Arsenal in 1979, he starred at the other end in the promotion campaign of 1979/80. In addition to his success from 12 yards against the Blades, Mark also netted another 10 penalties to help Wednesday achieve promotion and earn himself a reputation as a penalty king.
He continued his consistent form as the Owls went in search of another promotion - to Division One - missing only six games in four seasons between 1979 and 1983. Smith's assured showing also gained him international recognition, as he collected six England under-21 caps.
As Wednesday settled into top-flight football, Mark helped them achieve eighth and fifth place finishes and played his part as they reached the FA Cup semi final in 1986. His loyal service was rewarded with a testimonial match against Sheffield United later that year, before he moved on to Plymouth Argyle in 1987.
Season Appearances Goals
1977-78 2 0
1978-79 32 0
1979-80 52 11
1980-81 47 1
1981-82 44 0
1982-83 53 3
1983-84 37 2
1984-85 42 2
1985-86 21 1
1986-87 22 0
TOTAL 352 20
Name: Fred Spiksley 
Born: 25/01/1870
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Clubs: Wednesday, Glossop, Leeds City, Southend United
International honours: England, seven caps + five goals
Spiksley became one of the earliest Wednesday heroes during his 13-year stint at the Club. The left winger's speed and skill may have made him popular with the crowd, but opposition full-backs viewed him with slightly less affection! However, Fred was courageous as well as talented, and the hard knocks failed to deter him for long.
During his first two seasons at Olive Grove he finished as the top scorer with 18 and 16 goals respectively. He also topped the scoring charts in three of the next four seasons, as well as creating numerous goals, with his anticipation and ability to be in the right place at the right time proving crucial to his highly impressive scoring record.
The name of Spiksley will always be associated with the FA Cup final of 1896, when his brace against Wolverhampton Wanderers clinched Wednesday's first ever cup success. He also had the distinction of scoring the first hat-trick at the club's new Owlerton base, in a 6-0 victory over Luton Town.
It is of interest to note that the signing of the Gainsborough product was never intended to happen. He was set to move to Accrington but was delayed in Sheffield while travelling to Lancashire and was persuaded to join SWFC by directors John Holmes and Fred Thompson.
His form while at Wednesday prompted seven appearances for England - in which he scored five goals. He also scored a hat-trick for the Football League against the Scottish League. In total he amassed 116 goals for SWFC in 324 games.
Season Appearances Goals
1891-92 3 2
1892-93 31 18
1893-94 33 16
1894-95 33 10
1895-96 35 13
1896-97 28 10
1897-98 32 17
1898-99 30 3
1899-1900 34 10
1900-01 14 4
1901-02 27 5
1902-03 34 8
TOTAL 324 116
Name: Ron Springett 
Born: 22/07/1935
Position: Goalkeeper
Clubs: QPR, Wednesday
International honours: England, 33 caps
Ron Springett's achievements during his nine years at Hillsborough earned him the tag of the greatest goalkeeper in SWFC history.
His 33 England caps between 1959 and 1966 made him the most-capped player in the clubs' history - a record held for 26 years. He also represented the Football League on nine occasions.
Springett joined Wednesday from Queens Park Rangers in March 1958, and it could be argued that had he been recruited a little earlier in the campaign, the Owls could have avoided relegation. However, he was influential as the club bounced straight back up the following year.
His form was a stabilising influence as the team performed impressively on their return to the top flight, finishing fifth in 1959/60 and runners-up the following season.
Ron continued to impress as both Wednesday and England number one as Wednesday consistently finished in the top half of Division One.
In 1966, Springett was a senior member of the side which reached the FA Cup Final. Although he remained first choice goalkeeper throughout his stint at the club, it is of interest to note that he was never actually an ever-present during that time.
Springett is famed for the fact that he continued to live in London after his transfer to Wednesday, training with QPR during the week and travelling to games at the weekend. Ever the model professional, Ron's performances were always immaculate despite the extra travelling.
He returned to Loftus Road in June 1967 as part of a unique deal which saw his younger brother Peter, also a goalkeeper, move in the other direction.
Season Appearances Goals
1957-58 9 0
1958-59 33 0
1959-60 45 0
1960-61 44 0
1961-62 49 0
1962-63 43 0
1963-64 33 0
1964-65 42 0
1965-66 42 0
1966-67 44 0
TOTAL 384 0
Name: Mel Sterland 
Born: 01/10/1961
Position: Defender
Clubs: Wednesday, Glasgow Rangers, Leeds United
International honours: England, one cap + under-21
The story of Sterland's decade at S6 read like a Sheffield Wednesday version of a Roy of the Rovers strip, the Wednesday-mad youngster who not only swapped the terraces for the first team captaincy but became arguably the most popular player ever to don the blue and white stripes.
His honest and hardworking approach allied with an outgoing and down-to-earth personality was something the Hillsborough faithful identified with - he was one of their own.
A dynamic and powerful performer who operated as a wing back ten years before the term became fashionable, Mel was excellent both when marshalling attackers and when embarking on a trademark surge down the wing. His superb crossing and ability to storm up and down the right flank made him a considerable attacking threat, while his prowess from dead ball situations earned him the nickname 'Zico' among supporters as he weighed in with almost 50 goals in Wednesday colours.
The free-scoring defender's best haul was 11 in 1985/86 as the Owls reached fifth place in the league and the FA Cup semi-final and he was a member of the side which also fell just a game from Wembley in 1982/83, the same season he collected the supporters' Player of the Year award.
Sterland signed professional forms in October 1979, by which time he had already claimed his first senior goal - on his full debut against Hull City in May 1979. In his early days he was a midfielder but after Jack Charlton elected to switch him to defence he never looked back, establishing himself as an automatic choice and firm crowd favourite.
The Manor lad played a crucial role as SWFC were promoted to Division One in 1983/84, his nine goals included the penalty against Crystal Palace which sealed Wednesday's return to the First Division after 14 years away from the top flight. His form over that campaign also earned him seven England under-21 caps.
Mel's strength in attacking areas saw him fill in as a striker in the early part of the 1988/89 season, by which time he had become captain and he earned a long overdue England cap against Saudi Arabia in November 1988. After amassing almost 350 outings for his boyhood heroes, he departed for Glasgow Rangers in 1989 for a club record fee of £750,000.
Season Appearances Goals
1978-79 2 1
1979-80 3 0
1980-81 23 2
1981-82 29 0
1982-83 47 1
1983-84 49 9
1984-85 33 6
1985-86 48 11
1986-87 38 5
1987-88 48 8
1988-89 27 6
TOTAL 347 49
